Page 167 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

144 Asia

Mount Aso Table 9.3 A brief overview of what is important for
volcano tourists in Japan while visiting Mt Aso in
Most tourism sectors in Kyushu are linked to Kyushu
volcanic activity, usually through the Japanese
passion for onsen (hot spring) bathing, which is a Reasons for visiting Mt Aso-Kuju
great attraction for visitors from other areas National Park
without hot springs. One of the popular onsen Very Not
areas is near Mt Aso which is located in the centre important Important important
of Kyushu and is part of the Aso-Kuju National Volcanic activity 50% 38% 12%
Park. Mt Aso draws large crowds on any day with Volcanic landscape 68% 30% 2%
reasonable weather and favourable winds to keep
the toxic gas emissions from the crater away from Volcanic national park 27% 59% 14%
the visitors. This volcano is unique as it is not just Volcanic museum 20% 29% 31%
classed as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in
the world, but it also has access to the summit via Hot springs 38% 43% 19%
a toll road as well as a ropeway to cater for the mass Holiday 46% 31% 23%
tourism that takes place here on a regular basis.
A number of other attractions such as hot Hiking, walking 14% 39% 47%
spring resorts are linked to the volcano and Volcano photography 38% 51% 11%
recreational activities are combined with visits to
the crater, for example, horse riding, hiking, Natural environment 54% 42% 4%
trekking and bird watching. Souvenir shops, Volcanic history 20% 57% 23%
restaurants and the Aso Volcano Museum are
located at a short distance from the volcano and Source: Survey from 2008 carried out by the author and a class of
can be accessed even if the summit is closed. The research students from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
volcano itself is located within one of the largest
calderas in the world with a circumference of over
120km (24km diameter). The summit crater of and Table 9.3 demonstrates how important
Naka-dake, the only currently active peak, is volcanic activity is as a reason for visiting. Only 12
accessible by toll road and cable car and is one of per cent of the respondents considered volcanic
Kyushu’s most popular tourist destinations (Global activity as not important. Most people (75 per
Volcanism Program, 2009). People visit the crater cent) had no concerns that Mt Aso could suddenly
with their friends and families, often several times erupt, because they trusted the relevant authorities
in a year, as the landscape changes with the colours to evacuate everybody in time. A number of
of the four seasons. In May, for example, the lower concrete bunkers (Figure 9.2) are available on the
flanks of the volcano are covered in mountain viewing platforms near the crater rim in case an
azaleas in all shades of pink and in winter the unscheduled eruption takes place, although it is
snow adds another attraction to the volcanic not clear how several hundred tourists (Figure 9.3)
landscape. should fit into the half a dozen concrete shells and
A survey on the risk perception of visitors was be sheltered from larger sized ballistic ejecta
carried out by the author and students on Mt Aso (Figure 9.4) as well as from toxic fumes out of the
in July 2008, and the reasons for visiting active crater. This is a hazard which could make a visit
volcanoes, as well as any possible concerns about during an eruption a very unpleasant experience.
the potential dangers while visiting, were The Aso Volcano Disaster Prevention Council
investigated. A short summary (Table 9.3) of the maintains a website in English which contains
results indicates that the Japanese rather enjoy valuable information for tourists not familiar with
their active volcanoes for a number of reasons. The Mt Aso and the immediate surroundings. Maps
survey findings suggest that all respondents were and other useful information are also made
aware that Mt Aso is classed as an active volcano available in English for the increasing numbers of

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