Volcanoes

There are four volcanoes located in Iwate Prefecture.

• Mount Iwate
• Mount Hachimantai
• Mount Akita-Komagatake
• Mount Kurikoma

Mount Iwate, Akita-Komagatake, and Kurikoma are constantly being watched by the Japan Meteorological Agency, but always be vigilant. Volcanoes are unpredictable and can erupt at any time. Pay attention to any alerts issued before going hiking on any of these mountains.

• JMA Volcano Alerts for Tohoku（外部リンク）

Villages near volcanoes

If you are in a village near a volcano when it erupts, follow directives by the local authorities and evacuate with others.

When hiking

• Bring a map, emergency rations （crackers, water, etc）, portable radio, and cell phone.
• At the entrance of many trails is a “hiker’s box” where you put in a card with your information on it. This is so the authorities know you are on the trail in case of emergency. Hand in this card, or alert your nearest police station of your hiking plan.
• Never wander off the hiking trail.
• If you feel an earthquake, see smoke, or a volcano warning of level 2 or above is announced, descend the mountain immediately while warning others to do so.
• If volcanic activity is detected, the authorities will use helicopters and radios to alert hikers of the danger.

Protecting yourself from falling rocks and ash

There are many active volcanoes throughout Japan, with a number of disastrous incidents. After studying these events, we know that not only do people in the immediate vicinity need to take shelter from lava flows and pyroclastic flow （superheated water）, but the area surrounding the volcano is at risk for falling rocks and volcanic ash.

The best way to protect yourself from falling rocks and ash is to get inside and cover your head. For further information, please read below.

Falling rocks

Eruptions blow large rocks into the air, causing them to fall with great speed and break through roofs. They normally will only travel within 2-4 kilometers of the volcano.

If you feel signs that a volcano may erupt, get yourself away from the volcanic opening as soon as possible. It is extremely dangerous to be caught outside during an eruption, so quickly make your way to a hiking shelter or cabin, or under a large rock.

• Bring a helmet with you when hiking a volcano
• Always know how far you are in relation to the mouth of a volcano （bring a map with you）

Volcanic ash

Volcanic ash are particles blown out from the volcano that are less than 2mm in size. Breathing in these particles can have severe effects on your lungs, causing coughs and difficulty breathing, as well as causing itchy eyes, abrasions, and bleeding.

• Bring goggles and a breathing mask when hiking a volcano
• If you do not have goggles/a mask, cover your mouth with cloth so that you don’t breathe in the ash.

Mobile mail warnings

Iwate Prefecture has an email system you can sign up to for information on Iwate’s volcanoes. These will send you a warning in case of volcanic activity, as well as monthly emails with information on their status. The emails are in Japanese, but you can learn more about them at the following link. You can sign up for all four volcanoes, or select one by one.
*You may not be able to receive these emails if you are in an area with no signal

• Volcano Information for Iwate Prefecture （JPN）

Volcano Warnings

Japanese	English
レベル5（避難）reberu go （hinan）	Level 5 - Evacuate immediately
レベル4（避難準備）reberu yon （hinan junbi）	Level 4 - Prepare to evacuate
レベル3（入山規制） reberu san （nyuuzan kisei）	Level 3 - Do not approach the volcano
レベル2（火口周辺規制） reberu ni （kakou shuuhen kisei）	Level 2 - Do not approach the crater
レベル1（平常）reberu ichi （heijou）	Level 1 - Normal levels
居住地域厳重警戒 kyojuu chiiki genjuu keikai	Warning to all residential areas near to the volcano
入山危険 nyuuzan kiken	Exercise caution when approaching the volcano.
火口周辺危険 kakou shuuhen kiken	Exercise caution when approaching the crater.
平常 heijou	Normal levels