OITA Kokonoe Walk on Kyushu's roof, throw a pot, trek through mountains, marshes and wetlands

Part of the Oita region of Kumamoto on Kyushu, Kokonoe and its surroundings are part of sprawling Aso-Kuju National Park . At over 1,790 meters above sea level, the mountains here are part of what's known as "the roof of Kyushu." Combine hikes through forests, highlands, and wetlands with visits to local hot springs. This area also boasts the highest suspension bridge in Japan, the Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi Bridge .

Kokonoe is less than two hours by limousine bus from Oita Airport. Flights from Haneda Airport in Tokyo take less than two hours. From Itami Airport in Osaka, flights take approximately one hour.

Kokonoe, which is served by the Kyudai Line, is a short drive from Bungo-Nakamura Station and offers access to much of Kyushu.

A trip across the Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi Bridge offers panoramic views of the Kuju Mountain Range as well as the stunning Shindo no taki and Medaki waterfalls below. You may even see denizens of Narukogawa Keikoku forest, including birds of prey. The bridge is most popular in the fall when the changes of the leaves in the forest turn the area into a beautiful sea of red, orange and yellow foliage.

Recognized by the Ramsar Convention as extremely rare, Tadewara Marsh and Bougatsuru Wetland are prime sightseeing spots on a trip around Kokonoe.

Set out on the cedar boardwalks across the area, designed to protect the delicate ecosystem, for the chance to see rare plants, flowers and insects, or learn about the area from the comfort of the highly informative and interactive Chojabaru Visitor Center.