Yahata station is the nearest station to Sarakura-yama Mountain, the north end of the trail head of Kyushu Nature Trail.
I started by myself from Yahata station at 8:17 AM. I chose Kunimiiwa course to the top of Mt. Sarakura-yama. Kunimiiwa course is a well-maintained mountain path. I reached to the top of Mt. Sarakura-yama at 10:00 AM. The view from the top of Mt. Sarakura-yama is great. You can see whole industrial area of Kitakyushu city from the top.
After a short break, I dropped by Sarakura-yama visitor center to have a map of Mt. Sarakura-yama. Here is the north end of Kyushu Nature Trail.
In this area, Kyushu Nature Trail was very well-maintained trail. Destination signages were properly located. I walked almost flat road around Mt. Gongen, then I came out to the ridge, and went up and down the ridge to the Ichinose Pass. I met only a few climbers and trail runners on this trail.
I reached to Ichinose Pass at 11:30 AM, and had lunch of Tochiku-ken Torimeshi Bento. Tochiku-ken Torimeshi Bento is a famous traditional station lunch in Kitakyushu area. I recommend you to have this Bento whenever you have a chance.
From Ichinose Pass, I proceed on intense ups and downs on a mountain path, then I reached to the top of Mt. Shakudake. Near the top of Mt. Shakudake, there were an arbor and a flat place suitable for camping.
Another 15 minutes walk, there were an evacuation hut and a water fetching place, names Tanukino-mizuba.
Finally, I arrived at the top of Mt. Fukuchi-yama at 17:10. The top of Mt. Fukuchi-yama had 360 degree of wonderful view. The area near the summit was beautifully covered with Kumazasa, and there was a shrine for the god of the mountain.
From the top of Mt. Fukuchi-yama, I enjoyed the downhill path along with the swamp. Caution should be paied, there were few signs on this path, it was easy to lose your track. After 5.8 km of downhill, I reached to the dam site, Masubuchi dam at 19:30. It was already dark and there were no street lights. There are some suitable places for camping in this area, but I wanted to have water and hot meal, I further proceeded 2 km to reach to the Michihara village. Michihara village had one retail store but it was already closed. Only a vending machine was operating.
After drinking 500 ml of water, I further walked through Hazega-toge tunnel and Higashitani village, and reached to the entrance road to the Hiraodai Nature Park at 20:30. Near entrance road, there was a Ramen noodle shop. I had a great dinner of BBQ and rice. After a dinner, I walked more 2 km to find the place for camping and set up tent and fall down. I was so tired for walking almost 40 km of mountain trail.
Trekking data:
August 31st, 2019, Sunny, 31/25 Celsius, From Yahata station, Kitakyushu city to Hiraodai, Kitakyushu city, Distance 37.95 km, Time for walk 11:08, Average speed 3.41 km/h, Replenishable places, 0 km Yahata station, 2 km Foot of Mt. Sarakura, 4 km Top of Mt. Sarakura, 5 km Sarakurayama visitor center, 30 km Michihara village, 32 km ishiharamachi Village, 34 km Kinoshita Village
