The most active volcano in Japan, Mount Sakurajima is a significant landmark in the Kagoshima area. It frequently creates small, minor eruptions many times a day, and produces volcanic smoke all the time.
Despite being the most active volcano, you can plan a tour to see Sakurajima. If you wish to visit, you can go to many attractions located in its vicinity, encompassing hot springs, hiking trails, observation decks and foot baths.
What is Sakurajima?
Sakurajima (also spelt Sakurashima or Sakura-jima) volcano in Southern Kyushu is one of the few volcanoes that exist in constant (persistent) activity. Its continuous typical activity ranges from powerful strombolian to large ash eruptions every 4-24 hours.
This volcano is situated across Kagoshima Bay. With a population of half a million, it is just 8 km east of the city of Kagoshima.
Sakurajima’s eruptive past has been recorded since the 8th century. It has continually deposited ash on Kagoshima. Because of its explosive potential, it is closely monitored and considered an extremely dangerous volcano. The biggest historical eruptions of Sakurajima occurred during 1471-76 and in 1914.
Background of Sakurajima
Sakurajima’s current day volcano is a new volcanic cone inside the 17 x 23 km wide Aira caldera setting the northern half of Kagoshima Bay. The caldera molded around 22,000 years ago during a Plinian eruption that generated large pyroclastic flows.
About 13,000 years ago, another minor caldera, the so-called Wakamiko caldera, was formed in the NE corner of the Aira caldera. It was partially filled by volcanic cones. A new vent in this caldera ultimately became current day Sakura-jima situated on the southern rim of Aira caldera.
Sakurajima’s previous activity took place mainly at the Kita-dake summit cone until about 4850 years ago. After this, its vent changed course to Minami-dake. The formation of Sakurajima constructed a new island. It was united to the Osumi Peninsula during the major eruption of 1914.
When did Things Change in Sakurajima?
Sakurajima has formed nearly 13,000 years ago. This active volcano existed peacefully for the maximum of its long life. That all altered in 962 when it went through its first recorded eruption.
Over the years, it erupted several times, most prominently in 1914. In 1914, it almost poured out 10 billion tons of lava. That’s a huge amount of lava, isn’t it?
The eruption established a land bridge between the mainland on the eastern side and Sakurajima. After an activity onset in 1955, it has been in a continuous state of eruption. The eruptions are generally low-key. However, the scientists advise that the volcano may be due to another prominent eruption within the following 30 years.
Has the Sakurajima Volcano Caused Life Causality?
Sakurajima volcano has killed 58 people in 1914. It caused a huge flood in the nearby seaside city of Kagoshima.
Is Sakurajima Erupting Now?
During the eruption of 1914, the lava flows connected it with the Osumi Peninsula. It is considered the most active volcano in Japan. Presently, the volcanic activity still proceeds, putting volcanic ash on the encompassing area.
Kagoshima and Sakurajima are linked around the clock by continuous ferries. The one-way ride is just 15 minutes and hardly costs 200 yen. The ferry terminal is a 5minute walk from the Suizokukan-guchi tram stop or a 10-minute walk from JR Kagoshima Station. You can also go by the City View Buses.
How Frequently Does Sakurajima Erupt?
With 150-200 eruptions in a year, Sakurajima got back to low to medium levels of activity. Occasionally powerful explosions, such as on 7 October 2000, resulted in explosion columns as high as 5 km above the crater. It caused ample ash falls, and damaged windshields to cars.
Is Sakurajima Safe to Visit?
For the majority of part, Sakurajima is completely safe to visit. You can see this natural powerhouse closely, keeping several precautions in mind.
With several small eruptions every year, Sakurajima very well positions among the most active volcanoes in the world. It literally built its island in the middle of Kagoshima Bay.
What’s truly insane is that it is just 4 km away from Sakurajima! Yes, it is true. Life goes on as ordinary in the thriving port city of Kagoshima.
If you stroll around its streets, you will see vibrations or clouds of ash abruptly gushing into the sky. Nonetheless, the locals of Kagoshima will hardly wince.
You will be amazed to know that Sakurajima is amongst the best-studied volcanoes in the world. Locals know specifically what to look for and when to abandon. Also, there will be a lot of warnings before doing so.
Is Sakurajima a Component of the Ring of Fire?
58 people died in the 1914 deadly eruption of Sakurajima. This Japanese archipelago sits on the Pacific Ring of fire. The ring of the fore has more than 100 volcanoes.
Sakurajima frequently spews ash and there are several small explosions each year, with the last eruption in February.
How Can You Reach Sakurajima from Kagoshima?
Despite all the possible threats, Sakurajima is an outstanding destination and an extraordinary day trip, so vastly so that the Sakurajima Ferry proposes 24-hour service. It will only take you 15 minutes to reach Sakurajima.
After reaching the place, you will have two options. You can either rent a bicycle for or board the island’s network of buses. Bicycles can be easily borrowed near the ferry terminal.
If you love exploring things yourself, a bicycle is the best option. If you are not a leisure lover, it is better to get bus passes that can be purchased by the ferry terminal for 500 yen. It will bring you immediately to Sakurajima’s main sights.
Things to Do in Sakurajima
There are a lot of things to do on Sakurajima. Firstly, visit the Visitor Center and Mini Museum. Here, you will get a nice sense of what you would be interested to do there. You will also experience an eruption simulation.
Now, go to the Observatories: Arimura and Yunohiraand Arimura. Yunohira will get you very close to the volcano as it is safely possible. It’s situated just halfway up the mountain. Arimura will enable you to see some of the cooled “lava fields”. Also, visit the Kurokami Buried Shrine Gate.
Satisfy your ecstasy of fumble by visiting Japan’s most active yet safe volcano spot!
