You Should Set Foot on Sakurajima
If Mt. Fuji in Japan is well-known for its height, then Sakurajima is regarded as one of the most active volcanoes in this country.
Though this mountain is no less appealing to visit, sadly compared to Fuji-san, both local and foreign tourists find it rather less popular.
This mountain represents Kagoshima Prefecture, which almost every day spews smoke or ash. Kagoshima prefecture is located on the island of Kyushu, which is the same island as Fukuoka and Nagasaki, both of which may be better familiar to people outside of Japan.
With a height of 1,117 meters and a radius of 50 kilometers. The volcano is a stratovolcano with two summits, the North Peak and the South Peak, and has frequent large eruptions. During one of them, a massive eruption in 1914, lava filled a 400-meter-wide strait, allowing the island to connect to the Osumi Peninsula on the opposite shore. Approximately 10 billion tons of lava, a volume unparalleled in the world, spilled out.
The volcano erupted on a regular basis. Despite this, more than 4,000 people reside near the volcano.
Sakurajima is best experienced up close and personal, not just from a distance. Though it is most striking close-up, this famous site on the brink of Kinko Bay, about 4 kilometers by ferry from Kagoshima City, is breathtaking from many angles.
We can see it from afar; there is one point in Kagoshima City where we can see this mountain against the backdrop of the city’s buildings, which is the Shiroyama Observatory.
Yet, of course, the greatest way to appreciate this God’s creation is to see it up close by crossing to the island where it stands.
From Kagoshima Port to Sakurajima Port, a ferry takes fifteen minutes running twenty-four hours a day. From the ferry, we can see it more closely with the blue ocean in the background. No less beautiful!
Access is restricted within a 2 km radius of the Minami-dake and Showa craters. The maximum elevation available to visitors is Yunohira Observatory, standing at 373 meters.
The Sakurajima Island view bus departs from Sakurajima Port and travels around Sakurajima in a circle that takes around 60 minutes. Departures occur fifteen times daily, half an hour apart.
There are several places we can check out, not just the obsertavori, but also some other spots that are just as interesting.
Unfortunately, climbing this peak is restricted due to its active status. When I came, scorching clouds were still shooting from the volcano. Although the spray is not as harsh as Mount Merapi on Java Island, it still seems better to obey the rules:-)
The following “rules” are followed by the residents of Kagoshima, including Sakurajima. The rules such as “Don’ t run away when an eruption occurs” or “Don’t be surprised if volcanic ash falls on you” since the falling ash will cause no pain or injury because it is made up of microscopic particles less than 2mm. Also don’t be worried if the ash gets into your mouth; studies have shown that the abolcanic ash of Sakurajima has no negative effects on your health.
The other rules, are “Don’t be too concerned about the potential massive explosion," are because if an eruption occurs, there will be some apparent warning signals, such as lower well-water levels and more frequent minor tremors. It is quite unlikely that a massive eruption will occur unexpectedly.
But if you’re still worried, then please check the Meteorological Agency’s information. If the likelihood of a significant eruption is deemed to be high, the Meteorological Agency will issue a level 4 eruption warning (prepare for evacuation) or a level 5 eruption warning (evacuate immediately).
Check out these “rules” to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to Sakurajima-Kinkowan Geopark. Don’t worry if this is your first time visiting Sakurajima. You will have more fun on Sakurjaima if you follow these rules.
You will enjoy yourself more the more you understand them!
