Mt. Waita

Mount Waita (Waitasan, 1,500 m) is a volcano on the border of Kokonoe Town in Oita and Oguni Town in Kumamoto, and is one of Japan’s 300 Famous Mountains.
At the western end of the Kujū range, its shapely form has earned it the nicknames “Kusu Fuji” and “Oguni Fuji,” and its appeal lies in the open grassland walking, the wide views of the Kujū range and Aso from the summit, and the surrounding hot-spring villages. The climb goes up to the summit and back from bases such as Sujiyu Onsen, to be enjoyed together with the hot springs.
For public-transport access, take a Kokonoe Town community bus from JR Bungo-Nakamura Station to Sujiyu Onsen.

The trailheads are the hot-spring villages — Sujiyu Onsen and Hizenyu (Oita side) and Hagenoyu (Kumamoto side). The main route is the Hizenyu (Sujiyu Onsen) trailhead → Waita Pass → Mount Waita (1,500 m) and back, an intermediate route with a standard time of about 4–5 hours. The summit area is open grassland, with sweeping views of the Kujū range, Aso and Mount Yufu.
The best season is spring to autumn (April–November); the grassland is exposed to strong sun, and there is snow in winter. Always check the latest bus times and trail conditions before you go.

*Last checked: June 6, 2026

1. [Outbound] Bungo-Nakamura Station → Sujiyu Onsen (Kokonoe community bus)

Bungo-Nakamura Station on the JR Kyūdai Main Line is your base. Take a Kokonoe Town community bus (Kokonoe Jūdan line, toward Makinoto Pass) from the station to Sujiyu, and start from the hot-spring trailhead.

Bus timetable ①: Bungo-Nakamura Station → Sujiyu (Kokonoe community bus)

To the Hizenyu trailhead: the Hizenyu trailhead of the Waita-goe route is within walking distance of Sujiyu Onsen.

An overnight stay: with only three buses a day, even the morning bus leaves your descent late, so an overnight stay at Sujiyu Onsen or Hagenoyu is convenient. A two-day trip combined with the hot springs is recommended.

Taxi: as services are limited, combining a taxi from Bungo-Nakamura Station or the Beppu direction is reliable (arrange via the Sujiyu Onsen Tourism Association, 0973-79-3001).

By car: there is parking at the Hizenyu, Hagenoyu and Ichimeyama trailheads.

References: [Kokonoe Town public transport] ／ [Sujiyu Onsen Tourism Association]

2. [Return] Sujiyu Onsen → Bungo-Nakamura Station (Kokonoe community bus)

After the descent, return from Sujiyu to Bungo-Nakamura Station by Kokonoe Town community bus. Return services are also limited to a few a day, so always confirm the latest times with the official Kokonoe Town source to match your descent time. Because of the limited schedule, a realistic plan is a two-day trip with an overnight hot-spring stay.

References: [Kokonoe Town public transport] ／ [Sujiyu Onsen Tourism Association]

Trail Guide and Safety Notes

Route: Hizenyu (Sujiyu Onsen) trailhead → Waita Pass → Me-dake → Mount Waita (1,500 m) and back. The standard time is about 4–5 hours, an intermediate route. There is also a course from Hagenoyu on the Kumamoto side, and a traverse from Ichimeyama to Misokobushi on the Oita side.

Grassland and weather: the summit area is treeless grassland, fully exposed to sun, strong wind and lightning. In summer guard against sunburn and heatstroke, and watch for sudden weather changes on the ridge.

Views and hot springs: the summit gives a 360-degree view of the Kujū range, Aso and Mount Yufu. The area is one of Japan’s major geothermal zones, with hot springs such as Sujiyu, Hagenoyu and Takenoyu to enjoy after the descent. There is snow and ice in winter.

Equipment and emergencies: carry rain gear, warm clothing, a hat, sunscreen, a headlamp, a map/GPS and plenty of water. In an accident or emergency call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/ambulance).
・Kusu Police Station 0973-72-0110

Photo by Σ364 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0