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A volcano born from the energy of the earth?! Find out the mystery behind the birth of the national special natural monument "Showa Shinzan"
In Sobetsu Town, Usu District, there is a mountain that is said to be the miracle of the Showa era. Lake Toya is nearby, and Showa Shinzan is a popular tourist spot that attracts many people from outside Hokkaido. What happened in this place during the Showa era? In fact, it is said that there was a natural phenomenon that is hard to believe at first glance. Let's take a look at the history.
Sobetsu Town in Usu County, where Showa Shinzan is located, was originally an area where field farming thrived. The vast wheat fields suddenly changed in 1943. An earthquake occurred, and the land rose up along with the sound of an explosion. Frequent earthquakes occurred over the next four long months. Explosions also occurred countless times, and the land that was once farmland continued to swell up.
The cause of the land uplift was viscous dacite lava that had hardened underground. The earth's energy pushed the lava upwards, eventually creating a 402m-high volcano. This is how Showa Shinzan was born.
When Showa Shinzan was formed, the Sobetsu River, which originally flowed through the area, was dammed and turned into a swamp. This became Shinzan Swamp, and now Shinzan Swamp Observation Park has been built, delighting tourists with its seasonal changes. In addition, the bridge piers and abutments of the former JNR Iburi Line were raised by the uplift, and even today you can see the remains of the bridge piers in Showa Shinzan Iron Bridge Remains Park.
Furthermore, volcanic activity that occurred from 1977 to 1982 caused crustal movements, leading to the collapse of a nearby hospital. The collapsed buildings and their surroundings were developed into a volcanic remains park, which remains to this day. The area surrounding Showa-Shinzan has been certified as a Global Geopark as the "Toya-Usuzan Geopark," and Showa-Shinzan itself has been designated as a Special Natural Monument by the nation.
It is hard to believe that the energy of the earth can cause the earth to rise. However, Mt. Showa-Shinzan stands tall and still billows forth smoke, serving as a magnificent testament to this.
This is a rare place where you can feel the mystery and dynamism of nature. Why not visit it once? You will surely feel its overwhelming power.
<Interview cooperation>
Sobetsu Tourism Association, a special non-profit organization
Location: 384-1 Takinomachi, Sobetsu Town, Usu District, Hokkaido (inside the Sobetsu Information Center Roadside Station)
Phone: 0142-66-2750
Official website: https://sobetsu-kanko.com
The cause of the land uplift was viscous dacite lava that had hardened underground. The earth's energy pushed the lava upwards, eventually creating a 402m-high volcano. This is how Showa Shinzan was born.
When Showa Shinzan was formed, the Sobetsu River, which originally flowed through the area, was dammed and turned into a swamp. This became Shinzan Swamp, and now Shinzan Swamp Observation Park has been built, delighting tourists with its seasonal changes. In addition, the bridge piers and abutments of the former JNR Iburi Line were raised by the uplift, and even today you can see the remains of the bridge piers in Showa Shinzan Iron Bridge Remains Park.
Furthermore, volcanic activity that occurred from 1977 to 1982 caused crustal movements, leading to the collapse of a nearby hospital. The collapsed buildings and their surroundings were developed into a volcanic remains park, which remains to this day. The area surrounding Showa-Shinzan has been certified as a Global Geopark as the "Toya-Usuzan Geopark," and Showa-Shinzan itself has been designated as a Special Natural Monument by the nation.
It is hard to believe that the energy of the earth can cause the earth to rise. However, Mt. Showa-Shinzan stands tall and still billows forth smoke, serving as a magnificent testament to this.
This is a rare place where you can feel the mystery and dynamism of nature. Why not visit it once? You will surely feel its overwhelming power.
<Interview cooperation>
Sobetsu Tourism Association, a special non-profit organization
Location: 384-1 Takinomachi, Sobetsu Town, Usu District, Hokkaido (inside the Sobetsu Information Center Roadside Station)
Phone: 0142-66-2750
Official website: https://sobetsu-kanko.com
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Hokkaido Tourism Camera Writer
Team BuchiNeko
Team Buchi Neko has many connections to Hokkaido's tourist spots and facilities. There are many wonderful resources in Hokkaido that we take for granted when we live there. We will spread the word about the charms of this wonderful place.
