Mount Asama

We visited here today with our friend Sayuri, to a spot some 20 kilometers from where we are staying in Karuizawa.
This was spectacular and a little scary!
We explored the large area covered with huge blocks of lava and pumice, where a temple has been erected to focus prayers for all those killed directly ir indirectly by the frequent and explosive eruptions over centuries.

The white cloud you can see is of the constant plume of smoke and steam enanating from the central crater.

So Mount Asama is very definitely a VERY active volcano and the most active on Honshū, with many recorded eruptions!!

It stands 2,568 metres (8,425 ft) above sea level on the border of Gunma and Nagano Prefectures, and is one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains. It last erupted in February 2009, sending ash to a height of 2 km and throwing molten rocks up to 1 km from the crater.
Ash fall was reported in Tokyo, 145 kms south of the crater, and there were 13 recorded earthquakes.

In April 1995, more than 1000 earthquakes were recorded!

The worst recorded eruption in historic times was in 1783. This lasted three months, and produced the chaotic scenery of pumice stone and hot lava flows, and enlarged the cone.

This eruption resulted in the "Great Tenmei Famine".
Much of the agriculturally productive land in Shinano and Kozuke provinces would remain fallow or under-producing for the next four or five years. The effects of this eruption were made worse because, after years of near or actual famine, neither the authorities nor the people had any remaining reserves. The eruption killed up to 1,400 people, with an additional 20,000 more deaths caused by the resultant famine.