Mount Sanbe, Active volcano in Shimane Prefecture, Japan
Mount Sanbe is a volcano in Shimane Prefecture that rises 1,126 meters (3,694 feet) above sea level and contains a roughly 5-kilometer (3-mile) wide caldera with six separate peaks. The landscape features gentle grassy slopes, dense forests and several small lakes lying within the caldera interior.
The volcano began its activity roughly 100,000 years ago through seven major eruption phases. The last significant event took place around 4,000 years ago, ending the long eruptive history of the mountain.
The name Sanbe translates literally to 'three peaks', though the massif now comprises six distinct summits. Local residents favor autumn walks here, when the forests turn warm shades of red and the air becomes crisp.
Well-kept hiking trails lead to the summits between April and November, with a cable car easing the ascent during summer. Weather can shift quickly, so bring warm clothing and rain protection even if the day starts sunny.
At the northern base lies the Azukibara Submerged Forest, where trees buried during an eruption roughly 4,000 years ago remain preserved. The trunks still stand upright in the ground, showing the force of that eruption.
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