GUNUNG · Japan

Mount Asama

浅間山

Information

Elevation: 2.568 m
Country: Japan (JP)
Location / Range: Nagano–Gunma border, Honshu, in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park
Mountain type: Active stratovolcanic complex
Volcanic?: Yes — volcano
Coordinates: 36.4000, 138.5167
Difficulty: Mountain hiking with rocky terrain and steep descents; Maekakeyama is a destination only when officially open.
Best Season: Summer for snow-free trails; access still depends on volcanic restrictions and weather.
Permits & Rules: A hiking plan must be submitted for the designated Kazankan and Kurofu trails. Follow current Komoro City restrictions and JMA alerts; Maekakeyama is accessible only when officially open.
Hazards: JMA warns of possible small eruptions affecting the area within 500 m of the crater, sudden ash emissions and volcanic gas. Avoid prohibited areas; Kusasuberi is steep with slippery footing.

Description

Mount Asama (浅間山, 2,568 m in Wikidata) is an active volcanic complex on the Nagano–Gunma border in Honshu. A hike to Maekakeyama (2,524 m) must be distinguished from access to the restricted active crater. When checked on 13 September 2026, JMA recorded Level 1 from 22 May 2026 and Komoro City stated that the Maekakeyama trail reopened on 23 May. JMA continued to warn of hazards within 500 m of the crater and sudden ash and gas emissions; check official information before departure. Designated approaches include the Kazankan trail from Asamayama-so and the Kurofu trail from Kurumazaka, with a hiking-plan submission requirement. An August 2026 field report highlights the rocky, slippery Kusasuberi descent on the outer-rim approach.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Loop Kurofu-yama & Tomi (Kurumazaka Pass / Takamine)

Menengah; medan punggungan dan turunan curam

Approach the Kurofu ridge from Kurumazaka via Yarigasaya and Tominokashira. Komoro lists an outer circuit continuing via Jakotsu, Sennin, J-Band, Sainokawara and Yunotaira before returning through Kusasuberi. Check restrictions: the Kurofu trail closes at Level 3, and its ridges and descents demand careful footing.

Source

Maekakeyama via Asamayama-so (Jinba)

Menengah; hanya saat akses resmi dibuka

From Asamayama-so, follow Ichi-no-Torii, Ni-no-Torii, Kazankan, Yunotaira junction and Sainokawara junction toward Maekakeyama. Komoro lists this approach for Level 1; confirm the trail is open before departure. Submit a hiking plan and stay outside the prohibited crater area.

Source

Climbing Experiences

This collection contains five Asama–Maekakeyama videos, including February 2020 and February 2021 records and an account emphasizing the effort involved. The footage documents trips at the time rather than guaranteeing current access. Snownavi’s 2 August 2026 report adds the Kurumazaka approach via Tominokashira and the steep Kusasuberi descent after Maekakeyama reopened. Consult the JMA and Komoro City sources in the profile for current restrictions.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.