Its name literally means "Korea Peak"; it was once believed to be so high that the Korean Peninsula could be seen from its summit.

Other peaks include the sacred and often fabled in national foundation mythology,[2] Takachiho-no-mine (高千穂峰) (1573 m) as well as Shinmoedake (新燃岳), both active volcanoes.

Legend via oldest extant texts state the summit of Takachiho was stuck the mysterious spear Ama-no-Sakahoko, by the legendary Ninigi-no-Mikoto.

Shinmoedake is the most active of the Mount Kirishima volcanoes, having erupted in January 2011, March 2011, October 2017,[3] and April 2018.

[4] The region as well as areas downstream is in the path of expanding Meiyu front from the continent, during the East Asian rainy season, potentially unleashing flash flooding and landslides during this time.