Mt. Takachiho is the major summit within the Kirishima mountain range.  The hike to the peak of Mt. Takachiho starts after you clear “Uma-no-se”.  On the way to the peak of Mt. Takachiho there is a shallow canyon called, “Senri-ga-tani” better known as, "Ama-no-gawara", but long ago it was called “Haimonkyu”.  It is said that, “Haimonkyu” was the site of “Setaogongenkyu” (former name of Kirishima Jingu Shrine) built about 1400 years ago.  Specific details of “Setaogongenkyu” are unknown, but it was destroyed during the eruption of Mt. Ohara and later rebuilt at the foothill of the mountain.

Mt. Takachiho is a cone shaped mountain and the beauty is first among the Kirishima mountain range.  There are no grasses or trees, just the reddish-brown surface that change colors when hit by the morning and afternoon sunlight.  In one day, one is able to see seven different colors.  The beauty of this sight is unrivaled, but be careful because the trail is steep and consists of many volcanic rocks and pumice stone.  On the way up to the top you will pass by “Ama-no-sakahoko”, which is a landmark according to the mythology of the creation of Japan.  There are various theories in regards to the “Ama-no-sakahoko”, but none are proven.

This mountain was named “Ohachi” because of the rice pot (ohachi) shaped crater, and also known as the parasite volcano of Mt. Takachiho.  Similar to Mt. Takachiho, Mt. Ohachi has a beautiful cone shape structure. 

At least half way up the mountain there are no trees or grass, just the reddish- brown volcanic rocks and pumice stone that line the surface.  At the top lies a crater 500m (1639 ft) in diameter and about 100m (327 ft) deep.  To this day you can see white gases rising from the crater.  You can tell that this mountain is a composite volcano by its perfectly layered lava rocks.

From long ago it is said that Mt. Ohachi and Mt. Shinmoe took turns erupting.  The most recent eruption occurred in January of 1914, which was a very fierce eruption.