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Volcano and Geothermal Tourism in Kyushu, Japan 143

buried by lahars, as well as the natural environment Table 9.1 Volcanic Activity Level classification
linked to these features. Several regions in Japan
became UNESCO Global Geoparks in 2009, all Level General activity (Detailed activity is described
of them including volcanic and/or geothermal for each volcano)
landforms. Mt Usu in Hokkaido, part of the 5 Very large eruption
Shikotsu-Toya National Park, is another example Danger over wide areas
(UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, 2008; 4 Large eruption
Chapter 10). Volcanic features are amongst the Danger also in areas apart from the crater
greater draw cards in Japanese national and
prefectural parks, considering that at least two 3 Eruption
thirds of the parks can offer more or less active Small eruption or precursor of eruptions. Danger
near the crater
volcanic landforms.
In Japan over 100 volcanoes are currently 2 Active
Seismic swarm, tremor or slight eruption.
classed as active. The Japan Meteorological Agency Preliminary stage for eruptive period
(JMA) defines volcanoes that erupted during the 1 Calm
last 10,000 years, or which have fumarolic activity Small seismic activity, fumarolic activity but no
as active volcanoes. To indicate the degree of signs of eruption
volcanic activity the JMA started in November 0 Dormant
2003 to apply alert levels (0–5; Table 9.1) to some No fumarolic activity, No seismic activity for a long
active volcanoes, which are continuously time
monitored. The JMA issues volcano information Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, 2009
to the disaster prevention authorities and to the
public to initiate and take relevant disaster these seven volcanoes and volcanic complexes are
reduction measures. tourist destinations, are surrounded by national or
The island of Kyushu is the third largest island prefectural parklands, and have more or less
of Japan and is located in the south-west of the developed facilities for access and accommodation
Japanese island arc. Like Honshu and Hokkaido, in close proximity to the volcanic mountains. All
Kyushu has a number of active volcanoes (seven), of these active volcanoes are also located close to
some of which are constantly erupting, but large cities and have a rather recent eruption
generally maintain a low level of activity. All of history as Table 9.2 shows.

Table 9.2 Seven active volcanic areas in Kyushu with close proximity to large cities

Volcano Elevation Last erupted Nearby cities
Mount Aso Aso-Kuju National Park 1529m 2005 AD Kumamoto (670,000 inhabitants) and many small
villages in and around the caldera
Mount Kuju Aso-Kuju National Park 1788m 1996 AD Beppu (130,000) and Kumamoto
Tsurumi lava dome complex 1584m 867 AD Beppu

Unzen stratovolcano complex 1500m 1996 AD Shimabara (50,000), Nagasaki (446,000) and
Kumamoto
Sakurajima 1117m ongoing Kagoshima (605,000)
Kirishima shield volcano 1700m 2008 AD Kagoshima
Kaimon-dake 922m 885 AD Kagoshima
Ibusuki volcanic field
Source: Various, compiled by author

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