Heartbeat of the Earth: Exploring 5 of Japan’s Majestic Volcanoes

Situated in the Ring of Fire, Japan lies above the convergence of four tectonic plates, making it one of the world’s most volcanically active countries. Boasting 111 of these remarkable geological formations, Japan’s landscape is continually sculpted by its volcanoes, which have also deeply influenced its cultural and religious heritage. 

Whether you are a lava-chaser or a casual volcanic tourism visitor, discover the harmonious connection between nature and civilisation by exploring five of these awe-inspiring natural wonders across Japan’s islands!

1. Mount Rishiri (利尻山), Hokkaido

Mount Rishiri is also affectionately known as “Rishiri Fuji”. | ©PhotoAC

Tucked away in the northernmost reaches of Japan, Mount Rishiri (利尻山 Rishirizan) is situated on Rishiri Island (利尻島), off the coast of mainland Hokkaido. With an elevation of 1,721m, Mount Rishiri is one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. Derived from the Ainu language, Rishiri means “high island”, suggesting the mountain’s appearance as an isolated island, with its base stretching all the way to the coastline. 

Located within the Rishiri Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park (利尻礼文サロベツ国立公園), this stratovolcano was most active between 20,000 and 40,000 years ago, during which its distinct conical shape and solitary peak emerged, giving rise to the name “Rishiri Fuji” (利尻富士) due to its striking resemblance to the iconic Mount Fuji. 

Thought to have last erupted between 2,000–8,000 years ago, the stratovolcano remains silent, and has been attracting countless hikers eager to explore its scenic hiking trails every summer. 

Hike up to the top of Mount Rishiri and be greeted with an amazing panorama of Rishiri Island and the faraway Rebun Island. | ©PhotoAC

A revered site since thousands of years ago, Mount Rishiri serves as a spiritual place where people visit to pray for safe journeys at sea and abundant harvests. As you climb this magnificent mountain, be sure to visit the Rishiriyama Shrine Okumiya (利尻山神社の奥宮) at the north peak, where you’ll be greeted with ship propellers decorated with written wishes hung within the shrine. From this vantage point, not only can you view all of Rishiri Island, Rebun Island (礼文島), and the main island of Hokkaido across the sea, but you can also spot Sakhalin in the distance on a clear day. 

Home to a diverse array of alpine plants, the mountain offers a challenging hike through a vibrant floral landscape that allows one to appreciate the majestic nature of Mount Rishiri. 

2. Mount Zao (蔵王山), Yamagata & Miyagi

The Okama crater, an iconic sightseeing location on Mount Zao, is named after its uncanny resemblance to a pot. | ©PhotoAC

Located on the border between Miyagi Prefecture (宮城県) and Yamagata Prefecture (山形県), Mount Zao (蔵王山 Zaōsan/Zaōzan) is another volcanic group recognised as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. This group includes the highest peak, Kumanodake (熊野岳) standing at 1,841m, along with a few others including Kattadake (刈田岳), and Goshikidake (五色岳), collectively known as the Zao Mountain Range (蔵王連峰), believed to have been formed approximately 100,000–400,000 years ago. 

Numerous eruptions were recorded during the period betweens the 1600s and 1800s, with the most violent one in recent history occurring during the Meiji Period (1868–1912) in 1895. However, the Zao Mountain Range has since remained silent after a minor eruption in 1940.

Mount Zao is also home to the unique snow monsters. | ©PhotoAC

The iconic symbol of Mount Zao is the Okama Crater (御釜), named for its resemblance to a cooking pot. Also called “Goshikinuma” (五色沼), this crater lake’s colour shifts with the sunlight, changing from emerald green to azure blue, offering a different view from every angle, endlessly captivating visitors. 

Beyond the crater, Mount Zao is renowned for its onsen (蔵王温泉 Zao Onsen), where visitors can unwind in some of Japan’s most acidic thermal waters after enjoying a day in the snow. 

Additionally, the peak of Zao Onsen Ski Resort (蔵王温泉スキー場) is also home to one of the most bizarre sights in Japan, frost-covered trees, or more famously known as snow monsters, a result of the harsh, cold Siberian winds colliding with the heavy snowfall in the region.

3. Mount Fuji (富士山), Yamanashi & Shizuoka

Towering over the surrounding land, Mount Fuji stands as Japan’s tallest and most revered mountain that has inspired many for hundreds of centuries. | ©PhotoAC

Standing at an impressive 3,776m, Mount Fuji (富士山 Fujisan/Fujiyama) is more than just a symbol of Japan. Mount Fuji was shaped into its present form with a broad base and iconic symmetrical cone around 10,000 years ago by numerous large eruptions. 

Its last eruption occurred in 1707 during the Hoei eruption, which lasted 16 days and blanketed the capital of Edo, over 100km away, in volcanic ash. Despite being an active volcano, the region surrounding Fuji-san is renowned for its mineral-rich hot springs, making it a perfect destination for a relaxing getaway.

The stunning Mount Fuji in the background, framed by a bed of nemophila in full bloom at Oishi Park. | ©PhotoAC

Considered a sacred site, Mount Fuji had been a pilgrimage destination for practitioners of Shugendo, and women were prohibited from ascending it until 1860. Today, hundreds of thousands of people, regardless of gender and age, hike this famous mountain every summer, hoping to catch a glimpse of the sunrise from Japan’s highest point. Mount Fuji offers four hiking trails of varying difficulty and starting points, including the Yoshida Trail, Subashiri Trail, Gotemba Trail, and Fujinomiya Trail.

For those who prefer not to hike, there are numerous other attractions, such as the pristine primaeval Aokigahara Forest (青木ヶ原樹海) and the volcanic caves, Narusawa Ice Cave (鳴沢氷穴) and Fugaku Wind Cave (富岳風穴). You can even simply relax at Oishi Park (大石公園) while you admire the beauty of this majestic giant. 

Recognised as a “Special Place of Scenic Beauty” (特別名勝) by the government in 1951, Mount Fuji lies at the heart of the Japanese soul, inspiring countless songs, poems, and artworks since ancient times, including Katsushika Hokusai (葛飾北斎)’s renowned “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji” (富嶽三十六景) series. 

So profound is its cultural significance that it has even appeared on the ¥1,000 and ¥5,000 Japanese banknotes. Today, Mount Fuji remains an irreplaceable part of Japanese identity, continuing to inspire and captivate both locals and visitors from around the world.

4. Mount Aso (阿蘇山), Kumamoto

The smoking crater of Nakadake, the only peak among the Aso Gogaku that is currently active, having last erupted only recently in 2021. | ©PhotoAC

Affectionately called the “Land of Fire”, Kumamoto Prefecture (熊本県) is home to Mount Aso (阿蘇山 Asosan), one of Japan’s most active volcanoes and a cherished regional symbol. This mountain range, known as Aso Gogaku (阿蘇五岳) or the Five Mountains of Aso, includes five peaks and features one of the world’s largest calderas, with a circumference of over 100km.

Measuring 1,506m, only Nakadake (中岳) currently remains active, having last erupted in 2021 and still emitting white smoke from its volcanic vent. A must-visit in the Aso area, visitors can catch a glimpse of the emerald green crater lake filled with highly acidic liquid. While the crater of Nakadake is generally open to the public, it may be closed due to heightened volcanic activity or the presence of poisonous gases. Be sure to check the conditions before heading down and immerse yourself in the experience as you feel the pulse of the earth from the heart of Kumamoto.

Komezuka is formed approximately 3,300 years ago. | ©PhotoAC

Don’t miss the Kusasenri Area, or Kusasenrigahama (草千里ヶ浜), a sprawling prairie on the remains of a 30,000-year-old crater, where cows and horses graze. This area offers a vibrant natural landscape that changes with the seasons, providing a stark contrast to the barren lands of the active volcano. It remains one of the most iconic sights in the Aso region and has inspired poets since ancient times. 

Additionally, be sure to see Komezuka (米塚), an 80m conical volcano within the Aso-Kuju National Park (阿蘇くじゅう国立公園), believed to have formed around 3,300 years ago. In summer, the grasslands covering the mountain turn a lush green, and in autumn, they transform into a majestic golden hue as they are covered with Japanese pampas grass, creating a surreal and picturesque landscape.

5. Sakurajima (桜島), Kagoshima

The city of Kagoshima against an erupting Sakurajima in the background—a scene that speaks volume about the relationship between the volcano and the people of the region. | ©PhotoAC

Located in southern Kyushu, Sakurajima (桜島) is a composite volcano with three main peaks. Positioned in the middle of Kagoshima Bay (鹿児島湾), it was formed approximately 26,000 years ago by a massive eruption that created the present-day 1,117m-tall Kitadake (北岳), marking the start of ongoing volcanic activity. As its name implies, Sakurajima was once an isolated island until a powerful eruption in 1914 connected it to the Osumi Peninsula (大隅半島) located towards the east.

While daily small eruptions are typically minor, Sakurajima occasionally experiences devastating eruptions, with the most recent occurring in May 2024. You might wonder why approximately 5,000 people still live at the foot of this geographical timebomb. The answer lies in the benefits the volcano brings: exceptionally fertile soils from volcanic deposits, abundant rich hot springs, and a picturesque landscape. This harmonious coexistence between nature and civilisation is why Kagoshima’s history simply cannot be understood without volcanoes.

Sakurajima experiences several minor eruptions daily, and over hundreds of eruptions throughout the year, making it one of the most active volcanoes in Japan. | ©PhotoAC

While visitors are restricted from approaching within 2km of the volcano’s craters, there are alternative observation points offering views of daily eruptions. Positioned at the 4th station of Kitadake on Sakurajima, the Yunohira Observatory (湯平展望所) stands as the highest accessible viewpoint for the public. It is renowned for its scenic beauty, providing not only a glimpse of the smoking peak of Minamidake (南岳) but also panoramic views of the tranquil Kinko Bay, the city of Kagoshima across the island, and even the Kirishima Mountain Range further towards the north.

Listen to Planet Earth’s heartbeat, while exercising caution

Volcanoes play an integral part in Japan’s geographical and cultural tapestry, forging a nation of people who have learnt to coexist with one of the most unpredictable and destructive forces of nature. | ©PhotoAC

Japan’s volcanoes are not just geological marvels but integral parts of its cultural, historical, and natural landscapes. From the iconic Mount Fuji, symbolising national identity, to the active peaks like Mount Aso and Sakurajima, which shape local communities and ecosystems, these volcanoes serve as reminders of the dynamic forces shaping the island nation of Japan. Whether admired from a distance or explored up close, Japan’s volcanic heritage remains a testament to the harmonious coexistence of nature and human life.

For those embarking on a volcanic tourism adventure, prioritising safety is paramount. Always consult local authorities, experienced guides, and monitor volcanic warnings issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Pack accordingly with sturdy footwear, warm clothing, and essential gear. By respecting the power of nature and following guidelines, you can fully immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty and power of Japan’s volcanic landscapes.