Sakurajima : living next to the most active volcano in Japan (Kyushu)
Among the countless volcanoes of Japan, the one situated at the center of Kagoshima bay, Sakurajima Mount, is the most active of all. Since 1982, it has shown the most volcanic activity across the past ten years. Sakurajima volcano is composed by two craters: Minamidake (the most active) and Showa. The mount's highest-peak rises to 1,117 meters and has a caldera with a circumference over 50 kilometers.
Before the big eruption of 1914 that created a natural bridge to Kagoshima, Sakurajima was still located in an island. If you go there, you can see smoke coming out of the craters. And we recorded more than 1000 eruptions during the year in 2015, that is to say 2 to 3 daily eruptions.
Before the big eruption of 1914 that created a natural bridge to Kagoshima, Sakurajima was still located in an island. If you go there, you can see smoke coming out of the craters. And we recorded more than 1000 eruptions during the year in 2015, that is to say 2 to 3 daily eruptions.
Kurokami sanctuary were buried under ash of the 1914 eruption
Despite all, more than 5000 people are living at the foot of Sakurajima Mount; enjoying the benefits of this volcanic area's extremly rich soil. Four kilometers away from the crater, schoolchildren from the city of Kagoshima (60 000 inhabitants) are wearing helmets during school trips. Eruptions can sometimes throw stones in a radius of several kilometers, and often covers the city in ash.
There are many shelters and evacuation centers in Kagoshima, and its residents are well-informed about precautions to take in case of an eruption.
There are many shelters and evacuation centers in Kagoshima, and its residents are well-informed about precautions to take in case of an eruption.
Observation deck the closest from the crater
Sakurajima people get used to living with the volcano and its numerous eruptions per year. Most of them don't wear a mask or don't get worried when they see a giant ash cloud covering the streets. Special garbage cans are even dedicated to volcanic trashes. Konbini (small supermarkets open 24/7) go as far as proudly including the symbol of Sakurajima into their sign: the brown color of a lava field.
Kagoshima remains a popular destination in Japan to enjoy unique sand bathes and various seaside onsen. Kagoshima's port is also the starting point to get to Yakushima island and its luxuriant nature that inspired Hayao Miyazaki for its masterpiece: Princess Mononoke.
As for the bravest among you: you can't get closer to the volcano as far as 2 kms away from the crater. But you can enjoy an incredible panorama from one of the many oberservation decks: the closest is 2.5 kms away from the crater.
Kagoshima remains a popular destination in Japan to enjoy unique sand bathes and various seaside onsen. Kagoshima's port is also the starting point to get to Yakushima island and its luxuriant nature that inspired Hayao Miyazaki for its masterpiece: Princess Mononoke.
As for the bravest among you: you can't get closer to the volcano as far as 2 kms away from the crater. But you can enjoy an incredible panorama from one of the many oberservation decks: the closest is 2.5 kms away from the crater.
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