Fugen Volcano Lookout: Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture

The Fugen Volcano Lookout is without a doubt the most unique view on the Shimabara Peninsular.  The 1990-1995 eruption of Fugen Volcano in Unzen Nagasaki is infamous for the 43 fatalities caused by the unexpectedly large pyroclastic flow on June 3rd 1991. The famous Volcano filmers and photographers Maurice and Katja Krafft and geologist Harry Glicken were among those lost during this tragic event, together with multiple journalists who had joined them in a zone into which entry was not prohibited but was recommended against by the authorities.

From a nature point of view the Volcano is an indescribable phenomenon that permeates and dominated the entire Shimabara Peninsular.  It is viewable from all angles and is best viewed from the lookout in Fukae Town, a view that is worth more than I can put a monetary value on.  On the other hand, Volcano's are serious matters and their ability to destroy and create mayhem is not to be taken lightly.

The 3 cities that circumnavigate the Volcano know this all too well and have held numerous meetings and International Conferences to learn how too live safely and securely as possible within this environment.  In 2008 when the International Conference for Living safely with Volcanoes was held in Shimabara, Nagasaki I was one of the English Teachers that provided English Lessons to the staff members and volunteers of this amazing event and I hope my efforts and those of everyone involved made a strong and positive impact on all the foreign visitors who came from all over to see our wonderful natural but inherently dangerous place we call home.

It is for this reason that we need to learn more about Volcano's and the impact we can have on saving lives when disaster strikes.

Come and check out the Fugen Volcano Lookout on a map:

 

Click on the pictures below to enlarge:

Amazing Scenery

Lookout point

1st National Park in Japan

Mount Fugen: Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture

Mount Fugen in Nagasaki is the second highest peak of Unzen which dominates the Shimabara peninsula. Mount Fugen is well known for its volcanic activity that last peaked in a period from 1990 to 1995.  Even today, many reports about volcanoes  invariably mentions Unzen when it comes to massive pyroclastic flows.  The most severe occurred on June 13, 1991 when 34 people were killed in an area that was rated as safe.

On my Private Nagasaki Tours, and only when the weather deems so, I will drive to the lookout and give everyone the opportunity to see the Volcano and Lava Dome up close.  It's a tremendous and uplifting site for sure.

Click on the photos below to enlarge:

The Peak

Vegetation has grown

Views of Shimabara below

Currently, the two highest peaks of Unzen are Mount Fugen (1359m) and Heisei Shinzan (1483m). Until the last period of volcanic activity, Mount Fugen was the highest point in the Unzen complex. It lost this title with the growth of a new lava dome that has been named Heisei Shinzan.  At 1483 meters, the new peak outperforms Mount Fugen by more than 100 meters.

Mount Fugen makes for a fantastic access point from the Unzen Hot Spring town and can be well combined with a visit of Shimabara to the east as well as the town of Obama to the west for a great day out!  Combine all 3 places and your day will just about be perfect from every point of view.

Mount Fugen Nagasaki is one of my favorite places to visit, just to see the huge lava dome sends shivers up my spine no matter where I am standing on the Shimabara Peninsular.  Mount Fugen Nagasaki can be climbed, it can be viewed also in various way, one by walking up to the lookout which is only about 200 meters from the carpark but there are quite an amount of stairs to contend with and secondly from the ropeway which will take you right up to the peak and within the parameters of its heart and soul.  I am sure it will provide you with a similar moving experience where ever it may be viewed from.

Look at Mount Fugen in Nagasaki Prefecture on a map below:

 

1st National Park in Japan

Picturesque

Mount Fugen in Winter: Unzen, Nagasaki

Mount Fugen Unzen Nagasaki is not as challenging as Mount Fuji (I don't know from firsthand experience) but a great experience to climb never the less.  Not being much of a mountaineer myself, I jumped at the opportunity when a friend said to me out of the blue, let's climb to the top of the Volcano in the middle of winter.  Now, some might say that is a little foolish, but the views and the scenery at the top are well worth the effort and freezing temperatures.  You see in winter the scenic views are usually at their peak, not much cloudy cover and or fog or pollution polluting the desired view for climbing the mountain in the first place.  The frost on the limbs and trunks of the trees are worth seeing as the angles of the frost match the incoming wind direction to form the icicles perfectly.

Although we weren't able to get to the volcano it looms large and in all directions, such a massive and dominating effect on the landscape it's impossible to miss.  Absolutely the most interesting and extraordinary location on the Shimabara Peninsular.

Come and check out Mount Fugen Unzen Nagasaki here on a map:

Click on the photo below to enlarge:

It was extremely cold

To see vapors wafting out of the ground as we were getting closer and closer to the Volcano was a little intimidating especially whether they might be toxic or not was unknown and a little disconcerting but we were as brave as could be expected to virgin winter climbers and if i get another invitation in the future I will jump on the bandwagon again without a doubt in the world!!