Mt. Yakedake

Mt. Yakedake, 'burning mountain,' is an active twin-peaked volcano near Kamikochi that still vents steam from its slopes. A 1915 eruption caused a landslide that dammed the Azusa River, forming Taisho Pond, and silt from that eruption is still dredged from the pond each year. Lava flow scars remain visible on the mountainside from below. The north peak is a popular day trip from Kamikochi, with the 2,444-meter summit taking about four hours to reach and three hours to descend. The forest trail gives way to rocky terrain and steam vents as you climb. The south peak is closed to climbers.