Eruption at Mt Aso

Hi there, I have a trip to Kyushu planned for next week that includes Aso city.

Due to the recent Mt Aso eruption, there seems to be volcanic ash in the region? I've never experienced this before and would like to ask if it is still safe to travel to Aso city? Will it still be possible to walk around the city without having to wear masks, etc?

Thanks in advance for any advice! :)

Huh? I must have missed that, when did it erupt?

Earlier this week on Monday morning. The warning level has apparently been raised to Level 3...

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002425728

You can't go on the volcano at all now - and probably it's going to stay that way for a looooong time. But you can see what you'd ordinarily be able to see on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyh_nKrv5tY

If you are driving, there are some other good places in the area - the Daikanbo lookout is very good (unless the wind is coming in through the volcano) and the Kuju Flower Park is beautiful.

Due to the recent Mt Aso eruption, there seems to be volcanic ash in the region?

On the first day of the eruption, some ash flew in westerly direction towards the city of Kumamoto. Flights at nearby Kumamoto Airport were cancelled.

Since then, there has not been much ash. Flights resumed the next day. You won't find any ash anywhere except maybe around the base of Mount Aso. Even there it is not "guaranteed".

I've never experienced this before and would like to ask if it is still safe to travel to Aso city?

Yes. The only area you cannot go to is a 2-kilometer radius from the cater. Even the Aso Volcano Museum, which is just 2.5 kilometers from the crater is open and safe to visit. The actual city center is several more kilometers away and completely safe.

Will it still be possible to walk around the city without having to wear masks, etc?

Yes. There is a chance of another eruption in which case some more ash may fall. But falling ash in these kind of volumes does not present a danger to humans.

I would love to visit Aso san now and see it smoke. However, if you personally do not feel comfortable about it - even after my arguments for it being safe, you may want to consider changing travel plans.

Thanks Ken and Uji for the informative replies!

I think what I'll do is drive by to see the sights but stay overnight elsewhere. Indeed the view of a smoking Mt Aso would be great!

Thanks!

Hi there I am travelling for the first time to Japan on March, visit the Aso crater was on the list of places to see. Thing is, I am short on time so if there is no possibility to see the crater if would prefer to spend the time in some other place. Does anyone if the crater would still be closed to visitors on March 2016?

You'd have to ask the volcano.

But for probability, it is very unlikely. Even if things settled down today, at best it would go back to Level 2, which means you'd still be kept 1 km the crater. I'd make other plans if I were you.

http://www.aso.ne.jp/~volcano/eng/index.html
http://www.kyusanko.co.jp/aso/lang_en/

I have heard specialists state that small eruptions are likely to continue for a couple of years. So, I also think that the crater will remain off-limit to tourists for an extended time period. A re-opening in 2016 is very unlikely.