Eruption alert level raised for Mount Hakone in Japan; Owakudani area under control, cable car service suspended

▲ Eruption alert level for Mount Hakone raised, access to Owakudani prohibited. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Volcanic activity has intensified at Mount Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, with the potential for a small-scale eruption. On the 6th, the Japan Meteorological Agency raised the eruption alert level from 1 to 2, imposing restrictions around the crater. Local authorities have issued evacuation advisories for the Owakudani area and restricted access within a 300-meter radius. Meanwhile, the Hakone Ropeway has been suspended.

According to Japanese media reports, the town of Hakone has issued evacuation advisories for Owakudani, with the area within one kilometer of Owakudani Station designated as a controlled zone. The Hakone Ropeway has completely halted operations, and certain sections of Prefectural Route 734 leading to Owakudani have been closed to vehicular traffic. For safety reasons, shops in Owakudani have also ceased operations.

Hakone is a well-known hot spring destination in Japan, and Owakudani is a must-visit spot for tour groups. Mount Hakone consists of multiple volcanoes, with the highest peak, Kamiyama, standing at an elevation of 1,438 meters. According to data from the Japan Meteorological Agency, Mount Hakone experienced fumarolic activity around the 13th century but has no record of large-scale lava eruptions.

According to observations by the Kanagawa Prefecture Hot Spring Geological Research Institute, Mount Hakone recorded 102 earthquakes on April 26, a significant increase compared to previous years, and 226 earthquakes on May 5, the highest recent count.