EDITORIALS
Why not visit "Mt. Io-zan" in Teshikaga Town and ponder its history?
The town of Teshikaga in East Hokkaido is known for Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo, as well as several hot spring resorts, and is blessed with nature. Among these natural riches, Mount Io-zan (Mt. Io-zan) was a major driving force behind the town's development.
Even today, the dynamic and vigorous steam of the volcano has become a popular tourist attraction. In this article, we will introduce Mt. Io-zan and unravel a bit of its history.
Io-zan is located only 1.6 km from JR Kawayu Onsen Station, and only 2 minutes away by car. The parking fee is 500 yen, which allows you to use the Io-zan parking lot and Lake Mashu First Observation Deck once each. Incidentally, the area is open free of charge during the winter (late November to early April of the following year) when it is closed, but please note that accidents and problems are your own responsibility.
Mt. Io-zan is 512 meters above sea level and is classified as an active volcano rank C lava dome. As its name suggests, the mountain is rich in sulfur and is called "Atosanupuri," which in Ainu means naked mountain. The unique smell of sulfur is all around the mountain, and sulfur crystals can be seen near the fumaroles.
Sulfur is a high-quality mining resource, and in the Meiji era (1868-1912), it attracted attention not only as a raw material for matches and gunpowder, but also as a means of earning foreign currency. Full-scale mining began in 1877, and transportation routes were built, eventually developing into a major business. However, the mass transportation that began in 1887 quickly depleted sulfur resources. Mining finally came to a halt in 1896.
However, there is no doubt that Mt. Io-zan has been responsible for the construction of a railroad in the area and for the development of the nearby Kawayu Onsen hot springs. Even without knowing this history, the sight of the plumes of smoke rising from the surface of the mountain is still overwhelmingly powerful.
It is located on the way to Kawayu Onsen Town, so why not stop by?
<Cooperation
Lake Mashu Tourist Association
Location: 3-3-1 Mashu, Teshikaga-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Tel: 015-482-2200
Official website: https://www.masyuko.or.jp
Even today, the dynamic and vigorous steam of the volcano has become a popular tourist attraction. In this article, we will introduce Mt. Io-zan and unravel a bit of its history.
Io-zan is located only 1.6 km from JR Kawayu Onsen Station, and only 2 minutes away by car. The parking fee is 500 yen, which allows you to use the Io-zan parking lot and Lake Mashu First Observation Deck once each. Incidentally, the area is open free of charge during the winter (late November to early April of the following year) when it is closed, but please note that accidents and problems are your own responsibility.
Mt. Io-zan is 512 meters above sea level and is classified as an active volcano rank C lava dome. As its name suggests, the mountain is rich in sulfur and is called "Atosanupuri," which in Ainu means naked mountain. The unique smell of sulfur is all around the mountain, and sulfur crystals can be seen near the fumaroles.
Sulfur is a high-quality mining resource, and in the Meiji era (1868-1912), it attracted attention not only as a raw material for matches and gunpowder, but also as a means of earning foreign currency. Full-scale mining began in 1877, and transportation routes were built, eventually developing into a major business. However, the mass transportation that began in 1887 quickly depleted sulfur resources. Mining finally came to a halt in 1896.
(Photo by Lake Mashu Tourist Association)
(Photo courtesy of Lake Mashu Tourist Association)
However, there is no doubt that Mt. Io-zan has been responsible for the construction of a railroad in the area and for the development of the nearby Kawayu Onsen hot springs. Even without knowing this history, the sight of the plumes of smoke rising from the surface of the mountain is still overwhelmingly powerful.
It is located on the way to Kawayu Onsen Town, so why not stop by?
<Cooperation
Lake Mashu Tourist Association
Location: 3-3-1 Mashu, Teshikaga-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Tel: 015-482-2200
Official website: https://www.masyuko.or.jp
Writer Profile
Hokkaido Sightseeing Turtle Writer Bubu-Neko
I am "BUCHINEKO" who has many connections to sightseeing spots and tourist facilities in Hokkaido. There are many wonderful resources, even the ones we take for granted when we live in Hokkaido. I will be sharing these wonderful attractions of Hokkaido with you.
