Japan Travel: Observe eruption of active volcano Sakurajima Kagoshima, Japan
【002】Kagoshima Sakurajima
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Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes and is the symbol of Kagoshima. The volcano emits smoke constantly, and minor eruptions often occur many times per day. Located in the middle of Kagoshima Bay, Sakurajima is the area’s most splendid geographic feature, having an elevation of 1117 meters and a circumference of about 50 kilometers.
Before a strong eruption in 1914, Sakurajima used to be an island in the bay, but the massive lava flow from that eruption created the volcano’s current land connection to the Osumi Peninsula in the east. However For a great number of travelers the volcano is still most easily accessed by the ferries that run the 3.5 kilometers between Kagoshima Port and the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal.
Sakurajima has three main peaks: Kita-dake(peak) (, 1117 meters), Naka-dake (1060 meters) and Minami-dake (1040 meters). The Minami-dake peak is currently the most active, with a lot of eruptions taking place from the Showa Crater on the peak’s eastern slope. Approaching within two kilometers of the volcano’s craters is banned, but there are many observation points around Sakurajima where eruptions can be seen from about three kilometers away.
Access information
In Sakurajima
Travelers visiting Sakurajima can find many attractions just around the Ferry Terminal, including an onsen, foot baths, short hiking trails and an information center. Those who would like to further explore the volcano should travel by rental car, which can be taken across the water from Kagoshima by the ferries. Sightseeing buses, regular buses and rental bicycles are other possible methods of travel.
The way up to Sakurajima
Kagoshima and Sakurajima are connected around the clock by frequent ferries. The one way ride takes 15 minute and costs 160 yen. The ferry terminal is a ten minute walk from JR Kagoshima Station or a five minute walk from the Suizokukan-guchi tram stop, and is also served by the City View Buses.
The way up to around Sakurajima
The easiest way to travel around Sakurajima is by rental car, which can be taken onto the ferry (1150 yen one way for 3-4 meter long cars; 1600 yen one way for 4-5 meter long cars). Driving once around the coast of Sakurajima takes about an hour. Many car rental outlets are found in the city center and at the airport.
There is some transportation for travelers who want to travel around Sakurajima, like a loop bus, the Sakurajima Island View Bus, that operates hourly from the ferry terminal to the Yunohira observation point and back. The fare depends on the distance traveled or is 500 yen for a 1-day pass. Instead,sightseeing bus tours are available for Sakurajima (3-4 hours, about 2500 yen) or in combination with Kagoshima (6 hours, about 4000 yen).
There are also regular city buses that run infrequently from the ferry terminal along the northern coast (departures every 1-3 hours) and along the southern coast (departures every 40-90 minutes) of Sakurajima.
AloJapan.com