Mt. Onidake: The symbol of Fukue Island

You’ll see Mt. Onidake, the symbol of Fukue Island, when you arrive. This round mountain, entirely covered in grass, delights us with the way it changes in the different seasons.

Mt. Onidake
A former volcano
Why is Mt. Onidake covered in grass?
Have fun on Mt. Onidake

Mt. Onidake

The mountain stands around 15 minutes’ drive from Fukue Port, or around 7 minutes’ drive from Fukue Airport. Take the stairs, and you’ll arrive at the observation platform halfway up in approximately five minutes. From here, there are seemingly endless grasslands and the magnificent scale of Mt. Onidake itself; look down, and you’ll find sweeping views of the streetscapes, churches, the sea glinting blue, and the many islands of the Goto archipelago. Take it all in slowly, and feel the invigorating wind.

Mt. Onidake

A former volcano

The Fukue volcanic cluster, which includes Mt. Onidake, were active volcanoes until around 3,000 years ago.
Try to find the beautiful cross sections of strata, geological layers that resemble a Baumkuchen, formed when Mt. Onidake erupted and the materials from this built up. This location really gives the sense that Fukue Island was formed from such volcanic activity and earth movements.

Goto Islands Geopark: Goto’s scenic spots

Why is Mt. Onidake covered in grass?

Once every three years, fires are lit on Mt. Onidake to maintain its grassy landscape and exterminate harmful insects.
The bare, blackened mountain is reborn with vivid green grasses a few months later.

Have fun on Mt. Onidake

Baramon kite flying

When these kites rise in the air and ride the wind, they make a distinctive sound: “buun-buun.” This is created by the pole-like structure known as an “unari” that is attached to the top of the kite, and is said to chase away children’s misfortune. The baramon kite flying competition that takes place every year in May bustles with large numbers of people.

What are baramon kites?

These traditional kites have been passed down on Goto for a long time, and depict a samurai bitten by a demon (“oni”). They express his bravery in continuing forward despite being bitten. It is customary for them to be flown for children’s festivals, inspired by the wish that the children will grow up to be as strong as that samurai.

See a starry sky

Mt. Onidake is well-known as a place to see the stars at night. Join in a Mt. Onidake Starry Sky Night Tour and gaze up at a fantastic sky of stars through a Newtonian telescope.
*Reservation required