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442 views
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Wrecked car232 views
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Heading back. Remember that the trail is not open during the winter months. For more info call 0142-75-4400.223 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.217 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)207 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.198 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.185 views
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Wrecked confection factory. A dramatic reminder of what volcanoes can do.184 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.182 views
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Another wrecked house.175 views
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The former fire station in the distance. The building still looks quite new.174 views
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Inside former fire station.167 views
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No. 1 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck for the most conspicuous crater, still emitting steam.163 views
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The wrecked road.153 views
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The walking trail becomes a nice wooden boardwalk on rough terrain.152 views
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An adjacent crater contains water and emits some steam.151 views
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The trail starts with a bumpy asphalt 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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Sign explaining the deformed road.146 views
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View from the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck143 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.141 views
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Going further along the crater trail.141 views
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No. 1 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck140 views
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Nishiyama Crater Trail139 views
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The trail passes by a wrecked confection factory.139 views
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Broken telephone pole.137 views
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View of the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck134 views
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Flowers from the asphalt cracks.133 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.130 views
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View from the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck130 views
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View from the No. 2 Nishiyama Crater Lookout deck126 views
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Crater bottom.125 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.124 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 2000.123 views
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Another crater which is dry.122 views
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Close-up of Nishiyama's first crater formed during the March 2000 eruption.116 views
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