 Most viewed - Nishiyama Crater Trail 西山火口散策路 |
The Nishiyama Crater Trail (Nishiyama Kako Sansakuro) is accessible by car or bus from Toyako Onsen Spa or Toya Station. Get off at the Nishiyama Kako Kitaguchi which is in front of this former fire dept. station. 旧西胆振消防組合本部445 views
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Wrecked car236 views
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Heading back. Remember that the trail is not open during the winter months. For more info call 0142-75-4400.226 views
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More dramatic terrain. There's no threat of further eruptions in this area, so don't worry about getting caught in a shower of hot lava and volcanic ash while walking around here.221 views
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Next to the former fire station is this small pond, called Nishiyama Kako-numa, created by the eruption and blocking the road. 西山火口沼(西新山沼)210 views
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The fire dept. building was damaged by the eruption, so it is no longer used by the fire dept. However, you can enter it and see some display panels.202 views
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Road blocked by the pond. The Nishiyama Craters are part of Mt. Usu. They are on the west side of Usuzan and were formed by the March 2000 eruption.188 views
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Wrecked confection factory. A dramatic reminder of what volcanoes can do.187 views
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The north entrance to the Nishiyama Crater Trail (Nishiyama Kako Sansakuro Kitaguchi). Open from April 20 to Nov. 10 during 7 am - 6 pm. Free admission, but donations accepted.183 views
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Another wrecked house.178 views
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The former fire station in the distance. The building still looks quite new.175 views
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Inside former fire station.171 views
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No. 1 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck for the most conspicuous crater, still emitting steam.164 views
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The wrecked road.158 views
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An adjacent crater contains water and emits some steam.157 views
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The walking trail becomes a nice wooden boardwalk on rough terrain.154 views
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The trail starts with a bumpy asphalt road.149 views
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Sign explaining the deformed road.148 views
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Apparently there weren't any cars on the road when this happened since everyone had been evacuated before the eruption occurred.146 views
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View from the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck146 views
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145 views
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No. 1 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck144 views
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One of the largest and most active Nishiyama crater. There are about 30 craters in the area, and this one emits the most steam.143 views
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Going further along the crater trail.143 views
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The trail passes by a wrecked confection factory.141 views
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Nishiyama Crater Trail140 views
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Broken telephone pole.139 views
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View of the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck138 views
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137 views
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Flowers from the asphalt cracks.135 views
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View from the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck133 views
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The trail goes to the Minami-guchi (South entrance) of the crater trail.133 views
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The trail continues to more dramatic landscapes.132 views
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It takes about 40 min. to walk the crater trail one way. So allow at least 90 min. for a round-trip.128 views
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Crater bottom.126 views
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View from the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck126 views
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View from the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck. On the right is the crater of the initial eruption occurring in March 2000.125 views
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Another crater which is dry.125 views
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Close-up of Nishiyama's first crater formed during the March 2000 eruption.118 views
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