Mount Mimata hike from Chojabaru

Mount Mimata from Chojabaru

Mount Mimata (三俣山) rises 1,745 meters directly above the Chojabaru side of the Kuju mountains, inside Aso-Kuju National Park. The name is usually explained by the way the mountain looks like three peaks from many angles: 三 means three, and 俣 suggests a fork or branching shape. In practice, the mountain body is described as four named peaks: main, west, north and south.

We hiked the west peak and main peak from Chojabaru Visitor Center on a clear April day. The weather was sunny but fresh with strong winds. The route was quiet too. We met only one older hiking group all day.

The walk was 10.87 km and took us about 4 hours with 863 meters elevation.

Route and views via Sugamori Pass

The official Mount Mimata route is often described as a longer loop, but we did not have enough time for that version. Instead, we walked an out-and-back route from Chojabaru Visitor Center to Sugamori Pass, then up to the west peak and main peak.

The first part is easy, with asphalt and service-road-like stretches before the trail turns into proper mountain path. Above that, the route becomes more exposed: loose stones, rocky climbs, high dry grass and open views back toward the Chojabaru plateau.

There is a small shelter at Sugamori Pass, useful if you need a break out of the wind.

The upper section needs more care than the first half of the hike, especially if the ground is wet. It is not technical, but it is still mountain terrain: exposed, windy and rocky enough that shoes and weather matter. The reward is the openness, with views across the Kuju range, Mount Io and the dry spring slopes around Sugamori Pass.

That quiet suited the route. There are more famous Kuju hikes, especially toward Nakadake and Kuju from Makinoto Pass, but Mimata from Chojabaru has a rougher, more solitary feeling. It is a good hike if you want the volcanic scenery without turning the day into a long traverse.

After the hike

We stayed two nights at Kuju Hossho Hotel (九重星生ホテル), very close to the Chojabaru trailhead. The hotel owns the adjacent open-air public bath with open views of Mount Mimata. It was one of the best hotel stays of the trip, and one of the strongest onsen views.