DestinationsThe alert level raised for Hakone reaches highest level since 2015.

Volcanic alert level raised for Japan’s hot spring town

By Travel Weekly Asia

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May 21, 2019

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Visitors have been warned not to approach the volcanic crater of Owakudani after a number of volcanic earthquakes struck on Saturday.

Visitors have been warned not to approach the volcanic crater of Owakudani after a number of volcanic earthquakes struck on Saturday. Photo Credit: kitzcorner/Getty Images

A popular hot spring resort south of Tokyo has raised its volcanic alert level to the highest since 2015, following an uptick in seismic activity at the weekend.

Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) raised its alert level for Mount Hakone from one to two, out of a five-point scale, and have warned people not to approach the volcano’s crater, The Straits Times reported.

The warning was triggered after the number of volcanic earthquakes increased to 45 on Saturday, compared with zero the previous day.

JMA warned that large volcanic rocks could fall around the crater at a valley called Owakudani, about 80km southwest of Tokyo.

The Hakone Municipal Government has restricted entry to some parts of the town and closed the local volcanic valley popular with sightseers. The valley attracts about three million visitors every year.

The operator of Hakone Ropeway temporarily suspended its service running through Owakudani.

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