Volcanoes of Hokkaido (52)

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Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan's 4 main islands. Tectonically, it was formed by the collision of the Kuril Volcanic Arc with the Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc at the central part of Hokkaido about during the Middle Miocene (ca. 12 million years ago).

The volcanoes of Hokkaido belong accordingly to 3 different provinces:
1 the eastern region in the Northeast Japan Arc,
2 the central region in the arc-arc collision zone,
3 the western region representing the SW end of the Kuril Arc.

The chain of volcanoes ("volcanic front") parallel to the Japan and Kuril trenches runs E-W from the eastern region through the central region and then turns to N-S in the western region.

Source and further information: Introduction to the Landforms and Geology of Japan (GLGArcs)

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Hokkaido

In historic times, at least 9 volcanoes have been active in Hokkaido, including Akan, Tokachi, and Komaga-take volcanoes. A total of 107 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since around 1626 AD.
The table below lists the most recent volcanic eruptions, significant eruptive episodes or related events in Hokkaido since 1900.

Date	Volcano	VEI	Region	Deaths	Damage
2008 Nov 18 - Nov 28	Akan Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
2006 Mar 21	Akan NE flank of Me-Akan	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
2004 Feb 25 - Apr 19	Tokachi 1962-II Crater	1?	Hokkaido (Japan)
2000 Mar 31 - 2001 Sep 15 ±5 d.	Usu Usu N flank (Kompira-yama & W Nishi-yama)	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
2000 Sep 4 - Nov 8	Komaga-take	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1998 Nov 9	Akan Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1998 Oct 25	Komaga-take 1996 crater	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1996 Nov 21	Akan Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri crater no. 4)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1996 Mar 5 - Mar 12 ?	Komaga-take 1929 crater and summit crater fissure	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1988 Dec 10 ? - 1989 May 16 ±15 d.	Tokachi 1962 Crater	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1988 Jan 5 - Feb 18 ?	Akan Me-Akan (SE rim of Ponmachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1985 Jun 19 - Jun 22	Tokachi East wall of 1962 crater	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1984 May 1	Akan Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1977 Aug 7 - 1982 Mar 16 ±15 d.	Usu Usu-Shinzan	3	Hokkaido (Japan)
1981 Feb 27	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1978 Dec 12 - 1979 May 11	Shikotsu Tarumai (SE foot of summit dome)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1978 Oct 24 (eruption 1977 Aug 7 - 1982 Mar 16 ±15 d.)	Usu	3	Hokkaido (Japan)	3		Info
1978 Oct 24: Deaths at Toyako-onsen resulted from mudflows derived from newly deposited tephra. 2 injuries also reported. (reference #9675) October 16 and 24, 1978: Rain caused a secondary lahar resulting in 2 deaths, 1 missing person, 2 slight injuries, damage to 196 houses, damage to 9 other buildings, and damage to agricultural and forest equipment, civil engineering facilities, and sewer and water system. (reference #12936) Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. #12936 Japan Meteorological Agency and Volcanological Society of Japan (2013): National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (fourth edition, English version). Japan Meteorological Agency. [accessed May 20, 2021] Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1978 May 14 - May 17	Shikotsu Tarumai (SE foot of summit dome)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1977 Aug 7 (eruption 1977 Aug 7 - 1982 Mar 16 ±15 d.)	Usu	3	Hokkaido (Japan)	3		Info
1977 Aug 7: Three non-eruptive fatalities occurred during evacuation. (reference #9675) Cited references #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1966 Jun 15 ±5 d.	Akan Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1965 May 15 ±5 d.	Akan Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1964 Jun 18 - Jul 4 ?	Akan Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1962 Jun 29 - Sep 16 ±15 d.	Tokachi South of Shin-funkako	3	Hokkaido (Japan)
1962 Jun 29 (eruption 1962 Jun 29 - Sep 16 ±15 d.)	Tokachi	3	Hokkaido (Japan)	5		Info
1962 Jun 29: 5 killed, 11 injured by falling blocks. (reference #1492) Sulfur mining office at edge of Taisho crater damaged by volcanic blocks. 5 dead, 11 injured. (reference #12936) Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #12936 Japan Meteorological Agency and Volcanological Society of Japan (2013): National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (fourth edition, English version). Japan Meteorological Agency. [accessed May 20, 2021] Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1962 Apr 28	Akan Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1961 Aug 14	Tokachi NW of Kami-Horokamettoku-yama	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1960 Sep 16 ±15 d.	Akan Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1959 Aug 15 ±5 d. - Nov 25	Tokachi NE of Shin-funkako (Showa Crater)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1959 May 15 ±5 d. - Oct 16 ±15 d.	Akan Me-Akan (Naka- and Ponmachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1958 Oct 4	Tokachi NE of Shin-funkako (Showa Crater)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1958 Feb 23	Akan Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1957 Feb 26 - Sep 5	Akan Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1956 Mar 18 - Oct 31	Akan Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1956 Jun 16 ±15 d.	Tokachi NE of Shin-funkako (Showa Crater)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1955 Nov 19	Akan Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1954 Nov 19 - 1955 Feb 14	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1954 Sep 16 ±15 d.	Tokachi NE of Shin-funkako (Showa Crater)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1954 May 2	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1954 Jan 7 ? - Apr 13	Akan Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri)	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1953 Sep 14 ?	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1952 Aug 17	Tokachi NE of Shin-funkako (Showa Crater)	?	Hokkaido (Japan)
1951 Jul 28	Shikotsu Tarumai	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1951 Jan 29	Shikotsu Tarumai	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1944 Jun 23 - 1945 Sep 19	Usu Usu East flank (Showa-Shinzan)	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1944 Dec 28 (eruption 1944 Jun 23 - 1945 Sep 19)	Usu	2	Hokkaido (Japan)	1		Info
1944 Dec 28: Child suffocated by ash fall. (reference #9675) Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1944 Aug 26 (eruption 1944 Jun 23 - 1945 Sep 19)	Usu	2	Hokkaido (Japan)	1	light	Info
1944 Aug 26: One fatality from gas inhalation. (reference #9675) 1 small child was killed and a house burned down. (reference #12936) Cited references #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. #12936 Japan Meteorological Agency and Volcanological Society of Japan (2013): National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (fourth edition, English version). Japan Meteorological Agency. [accessed May 20, 2021] Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1944 Jul 11 (eruption 1944 Jun 23 - 1945 Sep 19)	Usu	0	Hokkaido (Japan)	1		Info
1944 Jul 11: July 11: Pyroclastic surge killed 1 person and caused damage to protected forest land and houses. Crop damage. (reference #12936) Cited references #12936 Japan Meteorological Agency and Volcanological Society of Japan (2013): National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (fourth edition, English version). Japan Meteorological Agency. [accessed May 20, 2021] Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1944 Jul 2	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1942 Nov 16 - Nov 18	Komaga-take NW-SE 1.6-km fissure	3	Hokkaido (Japan)
1937 Mar 17 - Mar 19	Komaga-take	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1936 Nov 15 - Nov 26	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1935 Dec - 1936 Oct	Shiretoko-Iozan NW flank	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1936 Apr 19	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1933 Dec 1 - Dec 14	Shikotsu Tarumai (east-west summit fissure)	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1931 Oct 11 - Oct 24	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1931 May 16	Tokachi	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1929 Jun 17 - Sep 6	Komaga-take SE and NE of Ansei Crater	4	Hokkaido (Japan)
1929 Jun 17 (eruption 1929 Jun 17 - Sep 6)	Komaga-take	4	Hokkaido (Japan)	2	catastrophic	Info
1929 Jun 17: 2 killed and 4 injured by pyroclastic fall; Volcano Letter (VL) 372 (1932) reports 1 death, probably as a result of pumice flows. (reference #9675) June 17: Volcanic blocks killed 2 people (including those in houses which collapsed due to volcanic blocks), injured 4 people, and killed 136 livestock. 1,915 houses burned down, were buried, or partially collapsed. Ash fall, pyroclastic flow, volcanic gas, and lahar caused damage to mountain forest land. Ash fall caused significant damage to agricultural and pasture land. (reference #12936) Cited references #1643 Jaggar, T.A. (1932): Recent eruptions in Japan. The Volcano Letter, 372: 1-3 #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. #12936 Japan Meteorological Agency and Volcanological Society of Japan (2013): National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (fourth edition, English version). Japan Meteorological Agency. [accessed May 20, 2021] Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1928 Sep 6 - 1929 Feb 10	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1928 Dec 4 - Dec 25	Tokachi Shin-funkako	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1928 Jan - May 23	Tokachi Shin-funkako	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1928 Mar 28	Komaga-take	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1928 Jan 7	Shikotsu Tarumai	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1925 Nov 20 - 1927 Sep	Tokachi Shin-funkako	3	Hokkaido (Japan)
1926 Oct 19 - Oct 30	Shikotsu Tarumai	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1926 Sep 8 (eruption 1925 Nov 20 - 1927 Sep)	Tokachi	3	Hokkaido (Japan)			Info
1926 Sep 8: 2 people went missing near the crater due to an eruption. (reference #12936) Cited references #12936 Japan Meteorological Agency and Volcanological Society of Japan (2013): National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (fourth edition, English version). Japan Meteorological Agency. [accessed May 20, 2021] Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1926 May 24 (eruption 1925 Nov 20 - 1927 Sep)	Tokachi	3	Hokkaido (Japan)	144	catastrophic	Info
1926 May 24: Initial explosion destroyed hot spring bath house killing 3. Second explosion 4 hours later produced avalanche from Cone and hot mudflows Which swept down Hurano valley mixed with snowmelt reaching town 20 km W of crater in 26 minutes. 137 killed, 207 or more injured, and 5,080 houses destroyed in Hurano Valley. Finch cites newspaper reports as suggesting 400 lives lost - lava flows, floods and explosions each taking a share - with 144 bodies recovered in 2 days. Witham lists range of 144-207. (reference #9675) A melted snow lahar occurred, burying Kamifurano and Biei. 144 dead or missing, approximately 209 injured. 372 buildings damaged, 68 livestock killed, 602 birds killed, and mountain forest, farmland, road, bridge, and railroads damaged. (reference #12936) Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. #12936 Japan Meteorological Agency and Volcanological Society of Japan (2013): National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (fourth edition, English version). Japan Meteorological Agency. [accessed May 20, 2021] Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1924 Jul 31	Komaga-take	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1923 Feb - Aug 23	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1923 Feb 27 - Mar 15	Komaga-take	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1922 May 22	Komaga-take	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1921 Jul 6	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1920 Jul 17 - Jul 23	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1919 Jun 17 - Jul 26	Komaga-take SE of Ansei Crater	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1919 May 4	Shikotsu Tarumai	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1918 Jun 13 - Jul 31	Shikotsu Tarumai	1	Hokkaido (Japan)
1917 Apr 30 - May 12	Shikotsu Tarumai (east-west summit fissure)	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1910 Jul 25 - Nov	Usu Usu North flank (Meiji-Shinzan)	2	Hokkaido (Japan)
1910 Jul 25 (eruption 1910 Jul 25 - Nov)	Usu	2	Hokkaido (Japan)	1		Info
1910 Jul 25: Death in lahar. (reference #9675) July 24: 15 buildings in Abuta partially destroyed by earthquakes. July 25: Ash fall caused damage to houses, mountain forests, and agricultural land. July 26: 1 person was killed in lahar flow. (reference #12936) Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. #12936 Japan Meteorological Agency and Volcanological Society of Japan (2013): National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (fourth edition, English version). Japan Meteorological Agency. [accessed May 20, 2021] Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1909 Jan 11 - Apr 22	Shikotsu Tarumai	3	Hokkaido (Japan)
1905 Aug 19 - Sep 1 ?	Komaga-take South of Ansei Crater	2	Hokkaido (Japan)

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Hokkaido FAQ

+When was the last volcanic eruption in Hokkaido?

The last volcanic eruption in Hokkaido was from Akan volcano in 2008.

+When was the first documented volcanic eruption in Hokkaido?

The first historically documented eruption occurred around 1626 AD from Usu volcano.

+How often do volcanoes in Hokkaido erupt?

Since 1626 AD, Hokkaido has seen at least 107 historically documented eruptions. This means that a volcano erupts on average every 3.7 years.

+How active are the volcanoes in Hokkaido?

Hokkaido is volcanically relatively active: Since 1900, at least 6 volcanoes in Hokkaido have been active.Since 1900, Hokkaido has had 71 volcanic eruptions from 6 individual volcanoes. Volcanic eruptions have been recorded erupted during 56 years out of 126 as of now. This means, at least one volcano in Hokkaido has been in eruption in one in 2.3 years on average. The last volcano to erupt in Hokkaido was Akan volcano, which erupted in 2008, 17 years ago.

+When was the largest volcanic eruption in Hokkaido?

The largest eruption in Hokkaido in historic times was from Shikotsu volcano. It occurred in 1739. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 5 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.

Volcano List

Akaigawa

(Stratovolcano 725 m / 2379 ft)

[more info]

Akan

(caldera 1499 m / 4,918 ft)

Akan volcano (阿寒岳, Akan-dake) is one of Hokkaido's most active volcanoes. Akan consists of a large 24 x 13 km diameter caldera and a group of younger partly Holocene andesite cones. The highest point of the complex is the Mount Meakan (1499 m) stratovolcano.
The frequent hi... [more info]

Birao

(Stratovolcano(es) 554 m / 1818 ft)

[more info]

Chubetsu

(Stratovolcano 1963 m / 6440 ft)

[more info]

Daisetsu

(stratovolcano 2290 m / 7,513 ft)

Daisetsu (also spelled Taisetsu or Taisetsuzan) volcano is a group of 8 stratovolcanoes, lava domes and a small 2 km wide caldera in the Daisetsu-zan National Park (the roof of Hokkaido) in central Hokkaido.
Asahi (旭岳 Asahi-dake) volcano is the highest peak of the vo... [more info]

E-san

(stratovolcano / lava dome 618 m / 2,028 ft)

E-san (恵山（えさん） in Japanese) is the southernmost active volcano on Hokkaido. It is a small andesitic stratovolcano located in the southeast of the Kameda-hanto Peninsula extending into the Pacific Ocean from the south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait from Honshu.
It ha... [more info]

E-san Maru-yama

(Stratovolcano 691 m / 2267 ft)

[more info]

Hakodate-yama

(Stratovolcano 333 m / 1093 ft)

[more info]

Horohoro-Tokushumbetsu

(Stratovolcano(es) 1322 m / 4337 ft)

[more info]

Kariba

(Stratovolcano 1520 m / 4987 ft)

[more info]

Komaga-take

(stratovolcano 1131 m / 3,711 ft)

Komaga-take volcano (北海道駒ヶ岳) is one of Japan's most active volcanoes. It is located on the Oshima Peninsula of southern Hokkaido. The volcano is known for its violent and explosive, including Plinian eruptions. [more info]

Kumaneshiri

(Stratovolcano(es) 1635 m / 5364 ft)

[more info]

Kutcharo

(caldera 999 m / 3,278 ft)

Kutcharo (also spelled Kussharo or Kuccharo) is the largest of a cluster of calderas in NE Hokkaidoo, Japan, and contains Atosanupuri (アトサヌプリ) volcano.
The caldera formed during a series of major explosive eruptions between 340,000 and 30,000 years ago. The crescent... [more info]

Kuttara

(stratovolcanoes 581 m / 1,906 ft)

Kuttara volcano is a group of small stratovolcanoes, lava domes, pyroclastic cones and a caldera near the Pacific coast SE of Toya caldera and SW of Shikotsu caldera in southern Hokkaido, Japan.
The area is known for some spectacular volcanic scenery:
Lake Kuttara... [more info]

Mashu
(caldera 855 m / 2,805 ft)
Mashu volcano is a 7 km wide caldera in NE Hokkaido, Japan.
The caldera formed ca. 7000 years ago and truncates a stratovolcano which formed the ESE rim of the large Kutcharo caldera to the west. The steep-walled Mashu caldera contains Lake Mashu (摩周湖 Mashū-ko), known for ... [more info]

Musa
(Stratovolcano(es) 1006 m / 3301 ft)
[more info]

Nigorigawa
(caldera, hydrothermal field 356 m / 1,168 ft)
Nigorigawa (also spelled Nigorikawa) volcano is a geothermal field (Mori geothermal field) in the 3 km diameter Nigorikawa caldera on the shores of Uchiura Bay, southern Hokkaido, Japan. The caldera was formed during a major explosive eruption ca. 12,000 years ago. [more info]

Nipesotsu-Maruyama
(stratovolcanoes, lava domes 2013 m / 6,604 ft)
Nipesotsu-Maruyama volcano is a group of overlapping stratovolcanoes and lava domes located east of Nukabira Lake and about 20 km east of Tokachi-dake volcano on Hokkaido Island, Japan.
The only historic eruption was a minor phreatic explosion from Maru-yama ("round mounta... [more info]

Niseikaushuppe
(Stratovolcano 1883 m / 6178 ft)
[more info]

Niseko
(stratovolcanoes )
Niseko volcano (ニセコ火山群 Niseko-kazangun) is a group of stratovolcanoes and lava domes NW of Niseko city. The latest eruption of Niseko was a phreatic or magmatic eruption ca. 7000 years ago. At present, there is geothermal activity including hot springs and fumaroles at various lo... [more info]

Okushiri-Katsuma-yama
(Shield 428 m / 1404 ft)
[more info]

Onnebetsu
(Stratovolcano 1331 m / 4367 ft)
[more info]

Orofure-Raiba
(Stratovolcano(es) 1231 m / 4039 ft)
[more info]

Oshima Maru-yama
(Stratovolcano 855 m / 2805 ft)
[more info]

Oshima-Ko-jima
(Stratovolcano 282 m / 925 ft)
[more info]

Oshima-Oshima
(stratovolcano 737 m / 2,418 ft)
Oshima-Oshima volcano (渡島大島 in Japanese) forms a small uninhabited 4 km wide island in the Japan Sea island 55 km west of the SW tip of Hokkaido in northern Japan. Oshima-Oshima's eruption in 1741 caused a tsunami that killed almost 1500 people. [more info]

Raiden
(Stratovolcano(es) 1212 m / 3976 ft)
[more info]

Rausu
(stratovolcano 1660 m / 5,446 ft)
Rausu volcano (羅臼岳 Rausudake) is an active stratovolcano on the Shiretoko Peninsula of NE Hokkaido. It is located on a ridge 5 km SW of Shiretoko-Iwo-san volcano, the NE-most active volcano in Hokkaido.
Rausu's summit contains lava domes. Young lava flows are visible on the... [more info]

Rishiri
(stratovolcano 1721 m / 5,646 feet)
Rishiri volcano (利尻山, Rishiri-zan) forms is a small island about 20 kilometers west of the northern tip of Hokkaido. The andesitic stratovolcano last erupted ca. 8500 years ago and is strongly eroded. Erosion has sculptured a sharp-topped summit and steep radial ridges. The lates... [more info]

Samakkenupuri
(Stratovolcano 1063 m / 3488 ft)
[more info]

Sapporo
(Shield 1294 m / 4245 ft)
[more info]

Shari
(Stratovolcano 1545 m / 5069 ft)
[more info]

Shiitokoro
(Lava dome 1336 m / 4383 ft)
[more info]

Shikaribetsu
(lava domes 1401 m / 4,596 ft)
Shikaribetsu volcano (然別火山群 Shikaribetsu-kazangun) is a group of lava domes west and south of Lake Shikaribetsu in central Hokkaido. They are part of the Daisetsuzan National Park. The volcanic group includes the peaks of Mount Ishikari (highest), Mount Yuniishikari, Mount Otofuk... [more info]

Shikaribetsu Group
(Lava dome(s) 1401 m / 4596 ft)
[more info]

Shikotsu
(caldera 1320 m / 4,331 ft)
Shikotsu volcano is the large 15 x 13 km diameter caldera containing 360 m deep Lake Shikotsu (支笏湖 Shikotsu-ko), Japan's second largest crater lake and the northernmost lake which doesn't feeeze over in winter.
The small andesitic Tarumai (Tarumae, 樽前山 Tarumae-zan) stratovo... [more info]

Shiretoko
(Stratovolcano 1254 m / 4114 ft)
[more info]

Shiretoko-Iozan
(stratovolcano 1563 m / 5,128 ft)
Shiretoko-Iozan (Shiretoko-Iwo-zan) volcano is an active stratovolcano on the NE tip of Hokkaido on the Shiretoko Peninsula. It is known as one of the many Japanese "sulfur mountains". During eruptions in 1936 and 1889, the volcano erupted molten sulfur.
The Shiretoko Peni... [more info]

Shiribetsu
(lava dome 1107 m / 3,632 ft)
Shiribetsu-dake volcano is located SE of Yotei volcano in SW Hokkaido. The andesitic lava dome contains a 1.5 km diameter summit crater breached to the west. The last eruptions were several hundred thousand years ago. [more info]

Soranuma
(Shield 1251 m / 4104 ft)
[more info]

Tenchozan
(crater rows 1,046 m / 3,432 ft)
Phreatic eruptions at Tenchozan occurred approximately 1,900 years ago. Towards the end of those eruptions there was a phreatomagmatic or small magmatic eruption. The chain of explosion craters, stretching from the NE to the SW, are considered to be a result of this series of eru... [more info]

Tengu-Hirayama
(Stratovolcano(es) 1796 m / 5892 ft)
[more info]

Tokachi
(stratovolcanoes 2077 m / 6,814 ft)
Tokachi volcano (十勝岳 Tokachidake) is a group of stratovolcanoes and lava domes in central Hokkaido, Japan.
Frequent historical eruptions were mostly small to moderate phreatic explosions (VEI 1-2) and cluster in 5 periods: 1857, 1887 and 1889, 1925-1931, 1952 to 1962, and ... [more info]

Tokachi-Eboshi
(Lava dome(s) 1291 m / 4236 ft)
[more info]

Tokachi-Mitsumata
(Caldera 700 m / 2297 ft)
[more info]

Tomuraushi Volcanic Group
(Stratovolcano(es) 2141 m / 7024 ft)
[more info]

Unabetsu
(Stratovolcano 1419 m / 4656 ft)
[more info]

Usu
(stratovolcano 737 m / 2,418 ft)
Mt Usu (有珠山) or Usu-zan volcano is Hokkaido is one of Japan's most well-known volcanoes, part of the active Toya caldera. The summit of Usu consists of several lava domes that formed in historic time.
The last eruption was in March 2000 - September 2001, when Usu erupted fo... [more info]

Washibetsu
(Stratovolcano 911 m / 2989 ft)
[more info]

Yokotsu
(Stratovolcano 1167 m / 3829 ft)
[more info]

Yotei
(stratovolcano 1898 m / 6,227 ft)
Yotei volcano (羊蹄山 Yōteizan) is a symmetrical andesitic-to-dacitic stratovolcano NW of Usu volcano on southern Hokkaido, Japan. The summit contains a 700 m wide crater and its flanks are cut by deep erosion gullies. The last eruption of the summit crater was about 5-6000 years ag... [more info]

Zenikame
(Submarine -30 m / -98 ft)
[more info]

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Latest news
Fri, 19 Sep 2025, 10:15
Akan Volcano (Japan) activity update Sep 18, 2025 - Unrest activity increased
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that unrest activity increased at Akan on 18 September 2025 (local). The alert level remained at "Level 2 - Restriction on proximity to the crater" (on a 5-level scale). ... Read all
Wed, 17 Sep 2025, 14:00
Akan volcano (Japan) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 10 September-16 September 2025 (New Activity / Unrest)
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported increasing unrest at Me-Akan (also known as Meakan-dake, which means Meakan Peak) of the Akan volcanic complex during 11-15 September. The number of small-amplitude volcanic earthquakes with epicenters near Ponmachineshiri Crater began to increase at around 1500 on 11 September and remained elevated during the week with daily counts of 19-50 events. A large tilt change in the direction of the crater was detected at 1440 on 12 September, followed by a period of volcanic tremor during approximately 1440-1447. ... Read all