Before HikingFuel up and store your bags before your hike!
The walk covers a good distance, and there are no restaurants, grocery shops, or vending machines along the way.
Consider having a bit more for breakfast because by the time you descend from Mt. Takuhi, it is already time for afternoon tea.
Unlike many places in Japan, 24/7 convenience stores are yet to be seen, and vending machines do not dot the streets on the islands.
It is highly recommended that visitors come prepared with some drinks and snacks before starting their Mt. Takuhi hike.
Those visiting from Okinoshima Town (Dōgo Island) can pick up some snacks and drinks from the souvenir shop inside the ferry terminal building before boarding Ferry Shirashima, which leaves at 8:30 am. You can also go to the snack shop onboard for some last-minute snack shopping.
For those who are visiting from Ama Town (Nakanoshima Island) or Chibu Village (Chiburijima Island), you can go to the grocery store in the Beppu Port area in Nishinoshima Town* and catch the bus at Ferry Dōzen Boarding Point (picture below).
10:19 amTake a bus from Beppu Port to Oki Seaside Hotel Tsurumaru 【Beppo Port, Bus stop, Oki kisen mae】
After you have stored your bags, visited the bathroom, grabbed your drinks from the vending machine at the Nishinoshima Town Tourism Association, and went to the bus stop from the door next to the elevator, You will see it immediately after you exit the building. Line up under the shelter and hop on the bus towards the Uragō area.
*If you are island-hopping to Nishinoshima with a suitcase or large bags, drop by the office of the Nishinoshima Tourism Association, as they provide same-day cloakroom service for a small fee. There are also some coin lockers (small lockers) inside the ferry terminal building* and Ferry Dōzen boarding point. The ones at the Ferry Dōzen boarding point can be used between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. If you are storing your bags there, please make sure to collect them before they close for the day.
11 minutes by bus
10:30 amAlight at Oki Seaside Hotel Tsurumaru, and let’s go! 【Bus Stop、Tsurumaru】
Press the stop button after you hear “Tsurumaru” from the onboard announcement. After getting off the bus, turn and walk toward the direction of the flyover (see the picture below) and continue along the main road. When in doubt, use the map on your smartphone for some help.
There is no pavement along most of the way towards Takuhi Shrine. Keep to the right-hand side of the road to see oncoming traffic. Along the way, you will find a waste management facility on your right-hand side, followed by a small residential area on your left. Stay on the main road and go uphill.
【On The Way to Takuhi Shrine】
After climbing the short (and slightly steep) slope, you will find Takuhi-gama Kiln on your left and Reso Oki Rosage, the accommodation facility, on your right. Right next to Takuhi-gama Kiln is a road, and you can see the signboard that says “Takuhi Shrine” (as shown in the picture below). Check that there is no approaching traffic and carefully cross the road.
30 mins on foot
【T-junction】
Shortly climbing up the hill, you will come to a three-way junction. Turn right and go uphill. The road leading up Mt. Takuhi is a curvy, single-track road; vehicles travel in both directions, up or down the mountain, on the same road. While you enjoy the scenery and nature’s music during your hike, don’t forget to keep an eye out for oncoming traffic.
45 mins on foot
【Takuhi Shrine Car Park 】
After the long way up, you will find a clearing and a pavilion on your left; you have reached the car park of Takuhi Shrine! There are some bamboo hiking sticks stocked at the pavilion. Feel free to use one to assist you as you continue on your journey, but return it when you are back at the pavilion so the other hikers can use it, too. The short hike up to Takuhi Shrine from the car park takes only 15–20 minutes and is quite enjoyable as most of the trails are shaded by trees.
15–20 mins on foot
【Between The Car Park and The Bronze Torii Gate】
This section of the trail (between the car park and the bronze torii gate) was repaved a few years ago. Now that the pavement is light grey, it is easier for hikers to distinguish a snake or perhaps catch a glimpse of an endemic bug along the way. Snakes, including the famous Japanese Pit Viper, also call Mt. Takuhi their home. Keep a keen eye out for them, and always be aware that there could be a snake under a pile of fallen leaves.
Also, keep an eye out for the hornets and paper wasps, especially in autumn when they are most aggressive. If you come across a buzzy bug that doesn’t seem very friendly, remain calm and wait until it leaves; do not swat at it. Check out our outdoor safety tips before you set off on your adventure.
7 mins on foot
Bronze Torii Gate
After the short hike up the steps, you will find a vast, bronze torii gate standing in front of you. Pass through the torii gate and proceed along the trail. Pebble-sized rocks cover this section of the trail and can be muddy even on a dry, sunny day. Please watch your step.
4 mins on foot
The shrine’s office comes into view. 【The shrine’s office】
A few minutes later, you will see a building on top of a stone wall. This is the shrine’s office building; imagine how bustling it was when seafarers frequented the place as they paid their respects to the deity enshrined in Takuhi Shrine. Continue along the trail, and soon, you will see Takuhi Shrine standing behind a huge tree.
The Toilet
Most of the time, the shrine’s office is unmanned. If you would like the goshuin stamp of Takuhi Shrine, visit the office of Nishinoshima Tourism Association when you return to Beppu Port.
Out of goodwill, the priest of Takuhi Shrine agreed to let visitors use the bathrooms inside the shrine’s office building. Please be considerate and keep the toilets clean after use. Do not forget to take your shoes off before entering the building, and close all the doors you’ve opened. Also, please do not wander around the building.
The Takuhi Shrine
Finally！！
After visiting the shrine, now it’s time to turn and head back towards Oki Seaside Hotel Tsurumaru to catch the bus.
Option to continue your hike
nstead of going back down the road from which you came, there is another way to descend from Mt. Takuhi and get back to Beppu Port. After returning to the Takuhi Shrine car park, turn left and continue along the road. The road will take you to the Oyama area in around 2 hours. There is only one road, which is very straightforward, but please don’t wander off course.
The bus to the Oyama area is very infrequent, so you have the only option of walking back to Beppu Port, which takes about 30 minutes.
２ hr 35 mins on foot
Back at Oki Seaside Hotel Tsurumaru
If you have stored your bags at Beppu Port, don’t forget to go and retrieve them before the facilities close for the day!
If you are heading back to Beppu Port, wait for the bus at this bus stop. There will be buses to Beppu Port at 3:04 p.m., 4:50 p.m., and 5:25 p.m., and the last one is at 6:45 p.m. (the last bus of the day).
If you are heading towards Uragō, simply wait for the bus at the Oki Seaside Hotel Tsurumaru entrance. There will be buses to Uragō at 3:46 p.m., 5:38 p.m., and 6:41 p.m., and the last one at 7:18 p.m. (the last bus of the day).
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Is it possible to do this as a half-day course?
If your lodging is on Nishinoshima Island or the other two Dōzen islands, you can take an earlier bus and start your hike before 9 am. If you would like to do so, ensure you have your drinks and snacks ready the day before your hike.
If you are traveling from Honshu (mainland Japan) in the morning, the earliest you will arrive at Beppu Port is past noon. It is still possible to follow this suggested itinerary if you take the bus that leaves Beppu Port at 12:19 pm. However, there are barely any street lights between Takuhi Shrine and Oki Seaside Hotel Tsurumaru, and this particular area on the island is unfrequented, other than the handful of inhabitants there. To allow yourself more time for lunch and sightseeing, we recommend visiting other spots first and hitting this course the next morning.
Author: Cleo Wong