Mt Kusatsu-Shirane

Beautiful volcano now out-of-bounds

Mt Kusatsu‑Shirane (Japanese: 草津白根山) rises above the spa town of Kusatsu in Gunma Prefecture, a striking volcanic massif whose craters, sulfur lakes and wind‑scoured ridges make it one of the most dramatic mountains in central Japan. It is not a single peak but a complex of volcanic domes and basins, shaped by repeated eruptions that have left behind a landscape of ash slopes, jagged ridgelines and vividly colored crater lakes. The most famous of these is Yugama, a milky turquoise pool whose acidic waters and steaming vents give the mountain its unmistakable volcanic atmosphere.

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Because it remains an active volcano and in the wake of a recent eruption, Kusatsu‑Shirane is closely monitored, and its hiking routes are among the most frequently restricted in Japan. at time of writing, the road passes near the summit but car parks are closed and the mountain trails are out of bounds,

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I was lucky enough to visit in a happier time. To the north, the highlands roll toward Shiga Kōgen and the distant peaks of Nagano, to the south, Mt Asama (浅間山) rises above the plateau. The contrast between the gentle surrounding highlands and the stark volcanic basin of Yugama gives the mountain a dramatic visual character. The hiking course is shaped by the mountain’s activity. The famous route begins near the Shirane Resthouse on the road, climbing gently north toward the crater rim and offering close views of Yugama’s turquoise water. From there, trails once continued toward the higher peaks of the Shirane massif, linking ridges and small domes in a scenic circuit. It was also possible to hike around the trails on the south side of the road to the high point of Mt Moto-Shirane (本白根山, 2,171 m). However, because of periodic eruptions and elevated volcanic gas levels, these trails are all closed.

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* 100 famous mountains of Japan

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(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)