 Last additions - Mt. Io 硫黄山 |
Back to the visitor's center.Apr 01, 2022
|
|
Apr 01, 2022
|
|
Note that there are other mountains named Mt. Io (Io-zan). This one is near Kawayu Onsen hot spring in Hokkaido.Apr 01, 2022
|
|
Sulphur mining ended altogether in Hokkaido in 1963.Apr 01, 2022
|
|
In 1887, a railway was built from Mt. Io to Shibecha, 41 km away. It was Hokkaido's second railway to be built after the railway between Sapporo and Otaru.Apr 01, 2022
|
|
After the mining operation closed in 1896, the Hokkaido government bought the railway. Today, this railway is connected to JR Senmo Line which opened in 1931.Apr 01, 2022
|
|
Since there was no machinery in those days, mining operations were done manually with a pick and shovel. Prison labor was used for the mining. The sulphur was then loaded on horseback and boats to Kushiro.Apr 01, 2022
|
|
Mt. Io, Hokkaido. You can get quite close to the sulphur vents.Apr 01, 2022
|
|
The mining operations here and in other nearby mountain quickly developed local industry in eastern Hokkaido which had been largely undeveloped.Apr 01, 2022
|
|
Mt. Io is Kawayu Onsen's hot spring source. It was also a sulphur mine from 1877 to 1896. At the time, sulphur was widely used in cigarette matches and gunpowder. Apr 01, 2022
|
|
Literally nicknamed "Sulfur Mountain," Mt. Io is a convenient, steaming tourist attraction between Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu. The mountain's Ainu name is "Atosa-nupuri," meaning "naked mountain" since it hardly has anApr 01, 2022
|
|
Mt. Io, meaning "Sulphur Mountain," is a lava dome spewing steam and sulphur gases. Tourists can walk and easily see the sulphur and steam vents. Apr 01, 2022
|
|
|
|
