Discover the 118 Volcanoes of Japan

Did you know that about 13% of the world’s active volcanoes are located in the Japanese archipelago? Japan has more than 118 volcanoes classified as active. This definition includes those that have erupted or shown signs of activity in the last 10,000 years. The presence of these volcanoes not only shapes the country’s landscape but also influences Japanese life and culture.

Currently, 47 volcanoes are continuously monitored by specialized authorities, with 13 of them in a state of high risk, potentially erupting at any moment. In this article, we will explore how these volcanoes affect life in Japan, the most dangerous ones, and a detailed list of the main volcanoes in the country.

The Impact of Volcanoes on Life in Japan

Volcanic activity in Japan is a double-edged sword. On one hand, volcanoes create fertile soils, supply hot springs (onsen), and are tourist attractions that boost the local economy. On the other hand, eruptions can cause significant damage, including mass evacuations, economic losses, and environmental impacts.

Moreover, volcanoes play a direct role in the formation of the frequent earthquakes in the country, as both are associated with the intense tectonic activity of the region. Despite the risks, the Japanese have learned to coexist with the volcanoes, developing advanced monitoring systems and emergency plans to protect the population.

The Most Dangerous Volcanoes in Japan

1. Mount Fuji (富士山 – Fujisan)

The Mount Fuji is one of the most recognized symbols of Japan, but its beauty hides a significant danger. It has erupted 16 times since 781, with the last eruption in 1708. Located near Tokyo, Fuji threatens about 35 million people in the event of a new eruption.

2. Mount Aso

With one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world, Mount Aso impresses with its magnitude. An eruption 90,800 years ago released 600 km³ of volcanic material, an event that, if repeated today, would have catastrophic consequences, not only in Japan but globally.

3. Sakurajima (桜島)

Sakurajima, once an island, is now a peninsula due to an eruption in 1914. Located near the city of Kagoshima, with over 600 thousand inhabitants, Sakurajima has been in continuous eruption since 1955, featuring frequent smaller explosions.

5. Mount Asama

Considered the most active volcano on Japan’s main island, Honshu, Mount Asama has a history of significant eruptions. Since 1783, it has been causing concern with frequent smaller explosions, being one of the most monitored volcanoes in the country.

4. Shinmoedake

Famous for being the secret base of a villain in a James Bond movie, Shinmoedake had notable eruptions in 2008, 2009, and 2011. Located in Kagoshima Prefecture, it is constantly monitored due to its destructive potential.

List of Volcanoes in Japan

To conclude, here is a list of most of the volcanoes in Japan along with their location and last eruption. The list is not 100% complete and detailed. I hope you enjoyed the article, share it with friends and leave your comments.

Name	Location	Last Eruption
Abu (volcano)	Honshu	–
Akita-Komaga-Take	Honshu	1971
Akita-Yake-Yama	Honshu	1997
Akusekijima	Ryukyu Islands	–
Aogashima	Izu Peninsula	1785
Bayonnaise Rocks	Izu Peninsula	1970
Kikai Caldera	Ryukyu Islands	2004
Fukue-jima	Kyushu	550 BC
Gajajima	Ryukyu Islands	–
Hachijō-jima	Izu Peninsula	1707
Hakkōda Mountains	Honshu	1997
Hijiori	Honshu	8300 BC ± 1000 years
Hiuchi	Honshu	1544
Ibusuki Volcanic Field	Kyushu	885
Iriomote-jima	Ryukyu Islands	1924
Iwaki	Honshu	1863
Iwate	Honshu	1919
Izu-Tobu	Honshu	1989
Iōtorishima	Ryukyu Islands	1968
Kanpu	Honshu	750 BC
Kogajajima	Ryukyu Islands	–
Kuchinoerabu-jima	Ryukyu Islands	2015
Kuchinoshima	–	–
Kurikoma	Honshu	1950
Kurose Hole	Izu Peninsula	–
Kōzu-shima	Izu Peninsula	838
Kuttara Lake	Hokkaido	–
Mashū Lake	Hokkaido	–
Shikotsu Lake	Hokkaido	Holocene
Megata	Honshu	2050 BC
Mikura-jima	Izu Peninsula	3450 BC
Miyake-jima	Izu Peninsula	2010
Mount Adatara	Honshu	1990
Mount Akagi	Honshu	–
Mount Asahi (Daisetsuzan)	Hokkaido	1739
Mount Asama	Honshu	2009
Mount Aso	Kyushu	2016[1]
Mount Azuma	Honshu	1977
Mount Bandai	Honshu	1888
Mount Chōkai	Honshu	1974
Mount Fuji	Honshu	1707
Mount Hachimantai	Honshu	–
Mount Hakone	Honshu	950 BC ± 100 years
Mount Haku	Honshu	1659
Mount Haruna	Honshu	550 ± 10 years
Mount Iō (Shiretoko)	Hokkaido	1936
Mount Kirishima	Kyushu	2011[2][3]
Mount Kuju	Kyushu	1996
Mount Kusatsu-Shirane	Honshu	1989
Mount Meakan	Hokkaido	2008
Mount Mutsuhiuchi	Honshu	Pleistocene
Mount Myōkō	Honshu	2360 BC ± 150 years
Mount Nantai	Honshu	–
Mount Nasu	Honshu	1963
Mount Niigatayake	Honshu	1998
Mount Nikkō-Shirane	Honshu	1890
Mount Norikura	Honshu	6870 BC ± 500 years
Mount Ontake	Honshu	2014
Mount Osore	Honshu	1787
Mount Rausu	Hokkaido	1880
Mount Rishiri	Hokkaido	5830 BC
Mount Shiretoko	Hokkaido	200000 BC
Mount Tate	Honshu	1858
Mount Tateshina	Honshu	–
Mount Tsurumi	Kyushu	867
Mount Unzen	Kyushu	1996
Mount Yake	Honshu	1995
Mount Yōtei	Hokkaido	1050 BC
Mount Zaō	Honshu	1940
Myōjin-shō	Izu Peninsula	–
Narugo	Honshu	837
Nigorigawa	Hokkaido	Pleistocene
Nii-jima	Izu Peninsula	886
Nipesotsu-Maruyama Volcanic Group	Hokkaido	1899
Niseko	Hokkaido	4050 BC
Numazawa	Honshu	2980 BC ± 150 years
Oki-Dogo	Honshu	–
Omanago Group	Honshu	–
Oshima	Hokkaido	1790
Otake (Naka-no-shima)	Ryukyu Islands	1949
Sakura-jima	Kyushu	2016 [4]
Sanbe Group	Honshu	1760 BC ± 150 years
Shiga	Honshu	–
Shikaribetsu Volcanic Group	Hokkaido	Holocene
Shinmoedake	Kyushu	2011
Shiribetsu	Hokkaido	Holocene
Shōwa-shinzan	Hokkaido	1945
Sumiyoshi-Ike	Kyushu	4550 BC
Suwanosejima	Ryukyu Islands	2007
Takahara	Honshu	4570 BC
To-shima	Izu Peninsula	4050 BC
Tori-shima	Izu Peninsula	2002
Towada	Honshu	915
Washiba-Kumontaira	Honshu	4000 BC
Yokoate-jima	Ryukyu Islands	1835 ± 30 years
Ōshima	Izu Peninsula	1990