Happy return to Mt Asama

Hike date: August 10, 2026

Today I made my first visit to Mt Asama since it was closed in 2022 due to increased volcanic activity. It's been a few weeks since restrictions were lifted, but the car park was already filling up significantly when I arrived at 6:10. I had climbed this mountain once or twice a year until 2022, but I was soon enjoying the familiar route through the forest, past the waterfall, through Kamoshika-daira with its serows and along the acidic river to the Kazan-kan mountain hut. From there the nature of the forest changed and the vegetation thinned as the altitude increased and I approached the old volcano. Access to the summit of Mt Asama itself is still restricted, but it's now possible to return to Mt Maekake on the caldera overlooking the volcano. The weather was clear and the views of made up for the seemingly endless stream of hikers making their way to the summit. It felt good to stand on the summit of Mt Maekake and look at the smoking hulk of Asama again. I'll be back again soon, but hopefully in a season with fewer people.

Check here for more info about Mt Asama.

On the summit of Mt Maekake with Mt Asama behind me

The Fudo waterfall

The acidic river with volcanic structures behind

The sheer caldera rim

The volcanic rock on the trail to the summit

Looking north to Gunma prefecture

The narrow caldera rim of Mt Maekake

Looking up to the still closed-off summit of Mt Asama

Looking south with Mt Fuji far in the distance