Explore Hokkaido’s abandoned towns and volcanoes

Mount Usu is located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park in southwestern Hokkaido, overlooking the clear water of nearby Lake Toya, the scenery is magnificent. It is an active stratovolcano whose frequent eruptions dramatically alter the surrounding landscape, creating a fascinating otherworldly landscape.

After the volcanic eruption in 2000, the mountain and surrounding areas were abandoned. (Fortunately, the mountain was constantly monitoring the eruption and evacuations were planned in advance, preventing any casualties.) Since then, nature has been able to function completely normally. , turns an already beautiful hike into a charming adventure through abandoned highways and sloping buildings in scenes that recall a future world long forgotten.

Given the area’s unique history, it’s best to take a tour with a certified guide, such as local guide Mr. Egawa, who, with special permission, leads visitors through a restricted area where the eruptions of Mount Usu can be seen up close. Aftermath.

The Beauty of Destruction: Hiking on Mt. Usu

The hike begins in what was once a large apartment complex, now hollowed out and covered with a layer of young grass and trees growing on the roof. When the volcano erupted in 2000, boulders, rocks and mud flew across the mountain, destroying some buildings and leaving holes in the roofs of many.

As hikers begin their climb toward the summit, the crater of a long-ago eruption begins to come into view. With guided tours, visitors can experience the power of nature up close by walking along the rims of these massive craters, which are now filled with small lakes of sparkling rainwater.

The magma in Mount Usu is very viscous, which means that when it comes into contact with areas with large amounts of groundwater, it can cause explosions, shattering the ground below and sending debris flying. Although these eruptions can destroy existing flora, Mount Usu demonstrates the cyclical nature of life. While past volcanic eruptions did cause some trees to turn to dead bark, this in turn provided the perfect environment for local woodpecker species to feed on insect larvae within dead trees.

Along the way, you’ll pass old Route 230 and Toyako Park, which has now sunk into a small pond. Dead trees and signposts sticking out of the water depict scenes that resemble something from an apocalyptic movie. There is an old Route 230 near the park that was once downhill and now slowly climbs into the mountains. Fault activity raised the road and turned it into a paved path up the mountain. There are still some houses remaining nearby. However, these too are now tilted, leaning heavily to one side. Standing on a doorframe creates a strange illusion of leaning forward.

Although the scenery sounds lifeless, it is not. In fact, it is full of nature. Young trees, still bright green and short, fill every nook and cranny of houses and roads. Insects chirp and birds chirp on the roadside. It’s clear that life has recovered and is thriving after the eruption.

The route eventually leads to an abandoned kindergarten, now riddled with holes from falling rocks. When light shines through the holes in the roof, the interior of the building is illuminated by light beams and overflowing with trees, creating a dreamlike scene.

Hiking through Mount Usu not only provides visitors with the opportunity to interact with Hokkaido’s tranquil natural beauty, but also to glimpse the fascinating contrast between civilization and nature – a contrast that makes for a unique hiking experience that is missed.

There is potential in Zhushan

Local tour guide Mr. Egawa doesn’t view the eruption or abandoned buildings as a negative, but sees them as a lesson for the future. Mr. Egawa said natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and typhoons have a long history in Japan and are phenomena that can occur anytime and anywhere. The Usuyama region provides an example of what people can do to better prepare for future disasters and how to move forward after such an event.

In the case of Uzhu Mountain, this includes transforming this once abandoned area into a nature lover’s paradise. The area around Mount Usu was recognized as a Global Geopark by UNESCO as early as 2015, and most of the current hiking routes have been cleared in the past two years following strict government safety inspections. There is still a lot of potential to add new trails and expand the West Mountain Base Crater Trail.

Inspiration from local guides

Initially inspired by a local tour guide friend, Mr. Egawa decided to give it a try, but was surprised by the amount of preparation required for the job. However, preparing for each trip remains one of her favorite aspects of being a tour guide.

“I love this job,” she said. “My favorite part is the preparation phase; it’s great to study various things in the land while exploring a new place. It’s great fun for me to convey the information I gain to people from all over the world.” She continued: “If there’s anything I hope participants take away from this trip, it’s to recognize the little things that surround you every day and to say to yourself when things get difficult: ‘I’m glad I was born on this earth ‘.You leave.

With the rise of adventure tourism in recent years, Ms. Egawa’s dream of becoming a tour guide has come true beyond her expectations. “When I was younger, I never thought I would have a job like this. However, thanks to the advent of adventure travel, I have been able to do what I have always wanted to do with my career. It’s a dream come true.”

Through her role as a tour guide, Ms. Egawa hopes to inspire the younger generation to follow their dreams and aim for careers they really want to pursue, rather than careers that seem reasonable.

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