Mount Usu

Mount Usu rises 733 meters above sea level, featuring multiple craters and continuous volcanic activity through steam vents at its summit in Shikotsu-Tōya National Park.

The volcano erupted four times in the modern era, with events in 1910 creating Meiji-shinzan, 1944-1945 forming Shōwa-shinzan, and additional eruptions in 1977 and 2000.

The mountain forms part of the Top 100 Geological Sites in Japan, representing a natural laboratory for scientists studying volcanic phenomena and geological formations.

Visitors reach the summit via the Usuzan Ropeway, which departs from the base of Showa-shinzan and provides views over Lake Toya and the Pacific Ocean.

The 2000 eruption demonstrated effective disaster management when 16,000 residents evacuated safely, leading to zero casualties despite intense volcanic activity.

Location: Sobetsu

Location: Tōyako

Location: Date

Elevation above the sea: 733 m

Part of: Top 100 Geological Sites in Japan

GPS coordinates: 42.54337,140.83897

Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:12