ABOUT THE ADVENTURE
Yufudake Volcano
Yufudake is an active volcano with several trails to summit in the Yufuin area of the Oita prefecture in Japan. There are three trailheads: the Yufudake West Trailhead in Yufuin, the Yufudake Main Trailhead at the Yufutozanguchi bus stop, and the East Trailhead located on the road between Yufudake and Tsurumidake. Although the main trailhead is most frequently taken, the West trailhead is well defined and offers access from the Yufuin town, intersecting the main trailhead about halfway to summit. The East trailhead is much less defined and is much more difficult, with a steeper and more direct ascent. It takes approximately 3 hours to summit from all trailheads. The rim of the volcano itself is marked with a loosely defined trail and chains to give access to the absolute peak, due to the vertical climbing needed to make it to the very top. Because Yufudake and its neighboring volcano are active volcanoes, it is important to check Japan's geological forecast in addition to the normal weather forecast before attempting.
Climbing from Yufudake Main Trailhead
Yufudake's main trailhead offers a scenic ascent with a leisurely 45 minute hike before intersecting with the west trailhead. At this point, the trail turns into a much more difficult set of switchbacks, ascending to the rim of the volcano.
Climbing from Yufudake West Trailhead
Yufudake's west trail is also well established and offers arguably the most beautiful views across a 95 minute hike to the intersection with the main trailhead. Less traveled, west trail hikers enjoy intimacy with nature and the calm of montane forests and grasslands.
Climbing from Yufudake East Trailhead
Yufudake's east trail is much less established than the other two. While some of the path is very obvious, much of the trail is marked by stickers and paint on surrounding trees and can be difficult to identify in foggy conditions. The most difficult of the three trails, the east trail has a steeper profile and uses chains and ropes to give climbers assistance with near-vertical climbing portions and slippery muddy cliffside.
Yufuin to Beppu by Climbing Yufudake and Tsurumidake
I climbed Yufudake twice. The first time I took the west and east trails, starting at the Yufudake West Trailhead in Yufuin, Japan and ending at the Yufudake East Trailhead on the road between Yufudake and Tsurumidake. This trip was very difficult, as much of the east trailhead is poorly defined. However, it was extremely rewarding. The west trail is extremely beautiful and I could not recommend it more. It was so beautiful that I had to hike the west trail again with a friend later on. When taking this route, it had been foggy and rainy out. The chains on the top of the volcano and the east trail were slippery and wet, making summit and descent more dangerous. It was offseason as well, so I only saw one other person while hiking. Climbing Yufudake was one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. The most beautiful and dangerous trip I’ve made yet. I took the rarely hiked West and East trails of Yufudake and West trail of Tsurumidake. I only saw one other person the whole day.
