Mittwoch, 8. Februar 2012

Mt. Asama or Asamayama is one of Japan's 100 famous mountains and the most active volcano which can be reached easily from Tokyo. Its last eruptions took place in 2004 and 2009. For this reason it is a very special famous mountain: Many hikers have completed 99 and are eager to get to the top of Mt. Asama.
For me, Mt. Asama was my second mountain after Mt. Fuji (probably most foreign hikers begin with Mt. Fuji).

I started my trip early on a Saturday morning in November 2010. The Shinkansen left Tokyo station around 6:20, after changing to the local train in Sakudaira I arrived at Komoro at 8 o'clock. At that time of the year, two buses run between Komoro station and Mt. Asama, you should choose the first one at 8:50 (please check the time before your trip, maybe it has changed since). You cannot miss the bus, it departs just in front of the station and Komoro is a quiet town early in the morning. I used the waiting time to visit Komoro castle which is just at the other side of the station.

October or beginning of November is maybe the best time to hike Mt. Asama because the usual clear weather. It is snow covered from mid November till April. Just on the right side of this castle entrance, I enjoyed the autumn colors:
Depending on your plans, you can choose your own starting point. Many people prefer to go to the Asama 2000 Park (at 2000 meters). From here you can have a walk without too much elevation to the trail or hike the beautiful mountains surrounding Asama yama. I always like to start at the trailhead, which is about 500 meters of height below. The buses do not stop there so you have to walk another 4 kms. After about one kilometer I got picked up by Japanese hikers. At first glance you don't think that a man at an age of about 70 years would hike mountains like Mt. Asama. We started a nice conversation and he told me that their group will go to the crater despite of the fact that you do so on your own risc if you get closer than 500 meters to it. My original was to only hike the neighbouring peak, almost the same height, but now I changed my mind: I want to look into the active volcano.
Though Mt. Asama is not as holy as Mt. Fuji, you can catch up the spiritual feelings when going through the shrine gate at the trailhead. If you don't like to get up that early you can spend the night before or after your trip at the hot spring resort. It got famous because of a sad incident: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asama-Sanso_incident. I did not know which spirits are enshrined at Mt. Asama, however, it is always a good idea to pause for a moment and clap your hands.
I started alone as the group waited for some members. Even if you do not understand Japanese very well, you can read the warnings. Having them behind, a mountain walk through diversified nature begins.




Vegetation on the lower parts of active volcanoes is often wonderful. The plants have best possibilities on this fertile soil. I was astonished all the time.
At about 2000 metres where the trail from the mountain park joins, the vegetation changes to the rough volcano landscape.
There is a trail on the ridge of the mountains you can see behind. I will choose that one next time in order to have a sight on Asama yama. One of the greatest disadvantages when hiking a beautiful mountin is that you don't see most time. The next photo is a rare view on Mt. Asama, but you will see the volcano later all the time when approaching the summit.


Don't forget to turn around your head as often as possible, the view is extraordinary.


These shelter huts survived the last eruptions. Nevertheless I recommend not be on the mountain at times when you have to use them. In 2009, the eruption was predicted one day in advance, so stay up to date when you plan your trip. The peak in the background is Mt. Maehara. It is also more than 2500 metres. Mt. Asama is a complex volcano, ancient eruptions have given it todays shape with this side peak and the surrounding mountains you have seen above.
It is a very good idea to go to the top of Mt. Maehara, it is only some minutes from the shelter huts and you have a magnificient view. I could even see Mt. Fuji - unfortunately, my camera couldn't. Next time I will buy a Japanese one, not Korean. ;-) Maybe you have seen the dirt on the right side of the images. It is a very special souvenir from Mt. Fuji: When I hiked him, there was a heavy storm, and this sand corn found its way under the lense of my camera.

Well, that's me. And yes, I like my university.
When I was back down to the shelter huts, I saw many people walking into the restricted area towards the crater. As the weather was very good I also did so. Nevertheless: It is dangerous and the toxic gas can give serious damage to your nose and eyes. At that perfect day, the wind was very calculable, nevertheless I smelt the toxic mixture two times. Though only short, I felt my nose a bit dry at the next day.
Back to the beauty of Mt. Asama:




I really love the best and most beautiful university of our planet, it simply belongs to the top.

At the crater, I met the hiker group again. They invited me to stay with them the night. I thought this would be a much better alternative to running down to get the last bus, so I agreed. The women made tasty Sukiyaki and we drank a lot of Sake. The next day, they took me to an Onsen before I had to leave them at the Shinkansen station.