5th Jan 2006: Mount Asama located on the border between Nagano and Gunma
This is a photo of Mount Asama that I took during my visit to Karuizawa at the very beginning of the New Year. Mount Asama, located on the border between Nagano and Gunma Prefectures, is an active volcano rising to 2,568 meters and is recognized as one of Japan’s “100 Famous Mountains.” It is a stratovolcano distinguished by its elegant, conical shape, and has long been revered as a sacred site as well as a setting for literary works. Asama remains highly active, and its most catastrophic eruption occurred in 1783 during the Tenmei era, causing one of the worst disasters in Japanese history. Pyroclastic flows and mudslides claimed numerous lives, and the event is considered a major factor in the Tenmei famine. Today, the volcano is under constant surveillance by the Japan Meteorological Agency, and access to areas near the crater is strictly restricted. Several hiking trails lead to scenic viewpoints, with the route from Mount Kurofu offering particularly stunning views of Asama. Surro...