This list compiles all of the main Volcano Museums in Japan; Geo-tourism has only recently become prominent so many of the museums only have limited English and you may need to use Google translate to see an english version of the official museum website. Author has tried to include extra details about museums visited. Please feel free to add any comments of extra information.
Mt Fuji Musuems;
Narusawa Mt Fuji Musuem
The main museum about Mt Fuji`s history and creation has interesting cross section model of what is inside this iconic volcano.
Mt Fuji Radar Dome Museum
Details and remenants of the curious choice of the Japanese government to install a weather radar system on the top of Japan`s largest Volcano at a time when other countries where sending up satelites.
Saiko Bat Cave (Near Kawaguchi-ko)
Called a Bat cave but infact a lava cave in an old Mt Fuji lava flow. There are other caves in the area of similar origin (Ice cave and wind cave), but the bat cave is the best example where dried lava patterns can be seen. All the caves are in a forest area none as Aokigahara which has a bad reputation of a place where people entre and don`t return, although this could have been less to do with supernatural reasons than the fact the forest grew over the old Mt Fuji lava flow, which has a lot of unstable ground and caverns for people to fall into. Has small hall with some details about Mt Fuji and the lava flow.
Izu-Oshima Volcano Museum
Two floor museum with first floor about the Oshima and Izu volcanic history with video. 2nd floor about other Volcanoes around Japans.
Science Museum Owakudani - Hakone
Has details about the Volcanic origins of the Hakone area (limited English)
Nikko Nature Museum
Some info on the Volcanic nature of the Nikko area, (Limited English)
Mt Unzen Disaster Memorial Museum.
Very modern museum about the eruption of Mt Unzen in 1990, attempts to provide a `volcano eruption experience`. A good provision of English information. Though sadly only makes a brief mention about the Krafts a famous french Volcanologists couple who died there by misjudging the direction of the pyroclastic flow..
Mt Aso (kyushu)
Slightly old style museum about Mt Aso, info on Mt Aso history and movie about its four seasons and past. However provides easy access on to the active volcanic caldra. Staff extremely nice.
Sakurajima International Volcanic centre
Museum about the ongoing eruptions of sakurajima. As well as the disaster prevention actions taken by those who live near it.
Tatayama Museum
http://www.pref.toyama.jp/branches/3043/3043.htm
This museum and the Tateyama Caldra Sabo Museum
This museum and the Tateyama Caldra Sabo Museum
http://www.tatecal.or.jp/
Explain the Volcanic history of the area.
Explain the Volcanic history of the area.
Mt Asama Volcano Museum (Karuisawa)
http://www.asamaen.tsumagoi.gunma.jp/hakubutsu/index.html
Museum about Mt Asama a fairly active Volcano near Karuisawa a couple of hours away from Tokyo by bus.
Museum about Mt Asama a fairly active Volcano near Karuisawa a couple of hours away from Tokyo by bus.
Toyako Volcano Museum (Hokkaido)
Toyako an active volcanic region was host to the G8 summit in 2008. The museum is fairly multilingual and includes lots of Volcanic history for the area.
Mt Bandai Geopark
The area is designated a Volcanic Geopark with an information hall and 3D eruption movie. Webpage only in Japanese but has some interesting information and links on it if you view it with Google translate software.
