Mt. Homan 宝満山

Mt. Homan is a half-day hike on the edge of Dazaifu City . It offers sweeping views of Fukuoka, from the coastline and city in the north to the mountains in the south.

The trailhead is beside Kamado Jinja at the base of Mt. Homan and can be reached by the local community bus that leaves from Dazaifu Station.

Buses leave approximately once every 30 minutes and take around 10 minutes to Kamado-jinja from Dazaifu Station. On foot, you can reach Kamado-jinja in 35 to 40 minutes.

The trail leading up Mt. Homan runs between Kamado-jinja and its counterpart shrine at the summit. The trail is used as a pilgrimage route for those praying to find a partner in life.

The larger of the two shrines is at the mountain's base, and is an example of modern shrine design. At the top of the mountain is the smaller shrine, weather-worn but standing strong.

The trail up the mountain is well signposted and takes four to five hours in total. It is mostly well surfaced, but hiking boots and appropriate gear are recommended. The path becomes steeper and rockier as you approach the summit.

Near the top of the mountain is a campsite, and many choose to spend a night here before returning back to the base of the mountain. The summit is at 829 meters, and on clear days the views are just stunning.

To return to the base of the mountain, follow the signs back to Kamado-jinja. The return leg should take about an hour, depending on how much energy you have left.

Make a note of the bus timetable at Kamado-jinja so you can time your return to the base with a departing bus. Buses run approximately twice an hour. If you find you've just missed a bus, head to one of the nearby cafes slightly down the hill from the shrine.

Before you head back to Fukuoka, make sure you explore Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and the Kyushu National Museum .