- General information
- Sakurajima for tourists
- How to get to Sakurajima
Sakurajima Volcano is an active stratovolcano on the Japanese island of Kyushu (Osumi Peninsula, Kagoshima Prefecture).
Until 1914 Sakurajima (translated from Japanese as “Sakura Island”) was an independent island, but the eruption caused its connection with the Osumi Peninsula (this was “done” by lava flows). Then almost all residents of the nearest settlements managed to leave the island, with the exception of 35 people, thanks to warning signals in the form of tremors that arose the day before.
General information
Sakurajima (its height is 1117 m, and its area is 77 sq. Km) has three peaks: Minamidake (peak in the south) - 1040 m; Nakadake (central peak) - 1060 m; Kitadake (peak in the north) - 1117 m.
Some parts of Sakurajima are enveloped in a layer of volcanic ash and crumbling lava, while other areas boast fertile soil with unshiu tangerines (only 3 cm in diameter) and daikon weighing up to 35 kg.
A smoke cloud always hangs over Sakurajima (it has been constantly active since 1955; included in the list of the most dangerous volcanoes of the 10th anniversary by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth). The first eruption is dated 963. Kitadake crater ceased to be active about 4900 years ago. Then “signs of life” showed mainly Minamidake, although in 2006 Nakadake also began to declare himself.
As for the latest eruptions, they were recorded in 2009, 2013 (in January, photographer Martin Ritze managed to capture the lightning in the picture, which formed inside the volcanic plume of the mountain; and in August, the mouth of the volcano released a plume of ash to a height of 5000 m - most of it sank to Kagoshima) and February 2016.
To minimize the risk of dangerous consequences of a possible eruption, webcams have been installed near Sakurajima crater (make it possible to monitor its activity), and shelters have been built in the city of Kagoshima in which you can take refuge in case of impending danger. In addition, special services invite residents of the city to undergo training - they provide them with information on how to behave in extreme conditions (practical exercises are held to consolidate the material).
Sakurajima for tourists
Sakurajima annually attracts up to 40 million tourists, but they are not allowed to climb to the top of the volcano. But they are allowed to stand on specially equipped viewing platforms and walk along the paths that run along a short section of the lava flow.
An excursion to the volcano usually takes half a day, or even a whole day: it is designed in such a way that the path will lie around Sakurajima at sea level. Tourists will make stops on the lava plateau (located on the east coast), onsen baths (tourists will be offered to swim in the Furusato hot springs), at souvenir shops (where it is recommended to buy ceramics lacquered with volcanic ash and other local souvenirs) and on two observation platforms (for observation, the Arimura platform was built, as well as Yunohira, located on the western slope of the mountain at an altitude of 373 m - this is the closest distance to which one can approach the top, dotted with cracks).
The excursion program includes an inspection of the fields of grain crops that grow on volcanic soils. In addition, tourists will be able to see torii Kurokami (the ruins of the gates of a Shinto shrine) - they used to be 3 m high, but after the eruption of 1914, only the upper parts of the ritual gates can be seen from under a layer of ash and pumice.
Near the volcano, it will be possible to find a center where visitors are invited to an interesting exhibition dedicated to previous eruptions. There, thanks to the available manual (English), you can learn about the structure of Sakurajima and even measure the activity of the volcano yourself.
Since Sakurajima is part of the Kirishima-Yaku National Park (it is advisable to move around it in a rented car), its guests will be able to admire not only this volcano, but also other mountain peaks, as well as forests and lakes, including caldera ones.
Tourists who are interested in the surroundings should visit the Iso Teien Garden (this picturesque place offers stunning views of the volcano; and here they will also offer to visit a museum dedicated to the life of the Shimazu clan and examine its exposition in the form of painted screens, unusual nail heads, carved decorations, and more; on the site of the museum there was once a villa-residence of the samurai family Shimazu) and an aquarium (there you will be able to observe electric eels, whale sharks, manta rays and other abodes of waters that wash the coast of Kyushu island).
How to get to Sakurajima
Those who want to get to the volcano can use the services of a passenger or car ferry. Tours from Kagoshima to Sakurajima (15 minutes journey; 150 yen payment must be made at the final destination) and back. It is worth noting that at the ferry crossing it will be possible to find a point where you can rent a car (6,500 yen / 2 hours) or a bicycle (600 yen / 1 hour).
