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446 views
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Wrecked car237 views
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Heading back. Remember that the trail is not open during the winter months. For more info call 0142-75-4400.228 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.223 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)211 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.203 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.190 views
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Wrecked confection factory. A dramatic reminder of what volcanoes can do.188 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.185 views
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Another wrecked house.179 views
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The former fire station in the distance. The building still looks quite new.177 views
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Inside former fire station.172 views
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No. 1 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck for the most conspicuous crater, still emitting steam.167 views
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The wrecked road.159 views
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An adjacent crater contains water and emits some steam.158 views
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The walking trail becomes a nice wooden boardwalk on rough terrain.156 views
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The trail starts with a bumpy asphalt road.151 views
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Sign explaining the deformed road.149 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.148 views
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View from the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck147 views
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No. 1 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck145 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.145 views
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Going further along the crater trail.145 views
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Nishiyama Crater Trail142 views
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The trail passes by a wrecked confection factory.142 views
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Broken telephone pole.141 views
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140 views
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View of the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck138 views
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Flowers from the asphalt cracks.136 views
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View from the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck136 views
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The trail goes to the Minami-guchi (South entrance) of the crater trail.135 views
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The trail continues to more dramatic landscapes.133 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.130 views
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View from the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck129 views
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Crater bottom.128 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 2000.126 views
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Another crater which is dry.126 views
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Close-up of Nishiyama's first crater formed during the March 2000 eruption.119 views
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