Mt. Osuzu (尾鈴山, 1,405 m), straddling Tsuno and Kijō towns in Miyazaki Prefecture, is one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
It is known for the Osuzu waterfall group, made up of more than 30 falls (designated Japan’s first Place of Scenic Beauty in 1944); among them, Yatogi Falls, 73 m high, is one of Japan’s “100 Famous Waterfalls.” The summit is wooded with no view, but the loop course from the Osuzu Campground over the summit and around the waterfalls is an intermediate route of about 7 hours.
The nearest station is Tsuno on the JR Nippō Main Line. From there you reach the Osuzu Campground trailhead by taxi.
The trailhead is the Osuzu Campground (first parking area), from where you enter the trail. The loop runs Osuzu Campground → Mt. Osuzu summit → Nagasaki-o → waterfall group → campground, about 7 hours with about 1,100 m of elevation gain, intermediate. The Osuzu Shrine inner shrine is enshrined at the summit.
Yatogi Falls (73 m) and Shirataki Falls (75 m) are among the highlights, and Rhododendron pentaphyllum and rhododendrons bloom in late April to early May, and the endemic Tricyrtis perfoliata in late September to early October. The season is April to November. Watch for land leeches along the streams, and since there are no shops on the mountain, prepare water and food.
How to access the trailheads
1. [Outbound & Return] Tsuno Station → Osuzu Campground (Mt. Osuzu trailhead)
Get off at Tsuno Station on the JR Nippō Main Line, and reach the Osuzu Campground trailhead in about 40 minutes by taxi.
There is no regular bus directly to the Osuzu Campground, so a taxi from Tsuno Station is the realistic option. Since the loop takes about 7 hours, it is safest to start early or to stay overnight. Book a return pick-up to match your descent time.
– Sanwa Kotsu, Tsuno stand 0983-25-1201
– Ai Kotsu, Tsuno head office 0120-781502
Source: [Tsuno Tourism Association] / [Miyazaki Tourism Navi, Yatogi Falls]
Route and safety notes
Route: Osuzu Campground → Mt. Osuzu summit → Nagasaki-o → waterfall group → Osuzu Campground, a loop. About 7 hours of walking with about 1,100 m of elevation gain, intermediate — a longish day through forest and along streams.
Waterfall group: more than 30 falls in a row, including Yatogi Falls (73 m, one of Japan’s 100 Famous Waterfalls) and Shirataki Falls (75 m). The rocks around the falls are wet and slippery, so take care.
Leeches and season: land leeches appear along the streams in summer. The season is April to November (flowers in spring and autumn). Use salt or repellent as a precaution.
Gear: there are no shops or reliable water sources on the mountain, so carry water, food and rain gear, and submit a climbing plan.
In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Sanwa Kotsu (pick-up / descent contact) 0983-25-1201
Photo by Sanjo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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