Mt. Konpira-yama Route

Starting at the Volcano Science Museum next to the Toyako Visitor's Center walk up the staircase that runs along the erosion control dam behind the center.

From the erosion control dam you walk towards the Volcano Memorial Park. The Volcano Memorial Park commemorates the 2000 eruption and its aftermath in the area of the Mt. Konpira-yama craters. Parts of buildings and a bridge damaged by the eruption and resulting volcanic mud flows are preserved on display here.

A public bath house destroyed by volcanic mud flows.

This highway bridge was swept away and moved over 150m by volcanic mud flows.

The 1st floor of this apartment building was buried in volcanic mud and hit by the highway bridge as it was swept past.

Returning to the path as it leads away from the Volcano Memorial Park you take a detour around the erosion control dam and up towards the crater.

Follow the guideposts along the path.

On the left hand side you can see the remnants of the Toyako Electric Railway bridge. This concrete bridge was a part of the JR Toya Station and Toyako Onsen line that ran from 1929-1941.

Next you walk up the slope of the crater known as Tama-chan, formed during the eruption of 2000.

Tama-chan crater.

Moving on towards the crater known as Yu-kun, also formed during the 2000 eruption.

Inside of the crater known as Yu-kun you can see a mysterious aqua-blue pond which has formed in the center. Both Yu-kun and Tama-chan craters are excellent geographic examples of large, steeply sloping pyroclastic craters.

From Yu-kun crater you return to the path and continue on up the mountainside.

Keep walking until you reach a gravel road. From here you can see an excellent view of the volcano side that you have scaled so far as well as views of Lake Toya.

Turn right along the gravel road and continue on for a ways. You will come to the remains of the old Abuta District garbage incineration center. During the 2000 eruption this building was dislocated by the shock and folded up like an accordion so that what remains sits at an angle.

Along the road you can see various uprisings and dislocations caused by magma uprisings. These are accompanied by signs explaining their various geographical features.

At the entrance to the Mt. Nishiyama Craters walking trail you have reached the end of the Mt. Konpira-yama Route. From here there is a bus back to the Toyako Onsen area, however the frequency of buses is limited so please check the schedule ahead of time. If you would like to try walking back to the Onsen town it is a further 30 minute walk.