Akita-Yakeyama, Active volcano in Kazuno and Semboku, Japan
Akita-Yakeyama is an active volcano straddling the border of Kazuno and Semboku, rising to about 1,366 meters (4,480 feet). Its summit features a crater roughly 600 meters (1,970 feet) across, with a small lava dome called Onigajo standing at the center.
The volcano has erupted about 16 times over the past 10,000 years. The most powerful eruption occurred in 1929 and reached level 2 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index.
The name Yakeyama means 'Burning Mountain' in Japanese, pointing to the ongoing volcanic activity that shapes the region. Local people hold the mountain in deep respect and see it as central to their landscape and way of life.
Visitors need specific permits and must check weather conditions before accessing the hiking trails. The routes cross varied terrain with different difficulty levels leading to observation points around the crater.
At the western base of the mountain sits Tamagawa spa, featuring hot springs with measurable radioactive properties and mineral-rich thermal waters. These heated sources have long drawn people seeking their therapeutic qualities.
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