Kirishima-Yaku National Park

According to Japanese myth, the mountainous, volcanic Kirishima is one of two possible places where Amaterasu's grandson descended to Earth. The national park, northeast of Kagoshima partly on Kyushu and partly on the offshore island of Yakushima, has good hiking trails and interesting shrines in addition to the sacred mountain Takachiho-no-mine. Yakushima's spectacular flora and fauna includes the giant and ancient Japanese cedars.