北海道駒ヶ岳 - Hokkaido Komagatake - 10/20/2022

About: Hokkaidō Koma-ga-take (北海道駒ヶ岳, Hokkaidō Koma-ga-take), also Oshima Koma-ga-take (渡島駒ヶ岳), Oshima Fuji (渡島富士), or just Koma-ga-take (駒ヶ岳) is a 1,131 metres (3,711 ft) andesitic stratovolcano[1] on the border between Mori, Shikabe, and Nanae, all within the Oshima Subprefecture of Hokkaidō, Japan.

Occurrence of volcanic activity started some 30,000 years ago. Following roughly 5,000 years of dormancy, volcanic activity at Mount Koma-ga-take restarted at the start of the 17th century, triggering the Kan'ei Great Famine in 1640. Since then, there have been at least 50 recorded volcanic events at Mount Koma-ga-take. (Source: Wikipedia)

Much of the truncated Hokkaido-Komagatake andesitic volcano on the Oshima Peninsula of southern Hokkaido is Pleistocene in age. The sharp-topped summit lies at the western side of a large breached crater that formed as a result of edifice collapse in 1640 CE. Hummocky debris avalanche material occurs at the base of the volcano on three sides. Two late-Pleistocene and two Holocene Plinian eruptions occurred prior to the first historical eruption in 1640, which began a period of more frequent explosive activity. The 1640 eruption, one of the largest in Japan during historical time, deposited ash as far away as central Honshu and produced a debris avalanche that reached the sea. The resulting tsunami caused 700 fatalities. Three Plinian eruptions have occurred since 1640; in 1694, 1856, and 1929. (Source: Global Volcanism Program)

Getting Started: After about 2 hours of driving I was able to make it relatively easy to Komagatake. My rental car was a small Toyota Yaris (the little blue care in the parking lot). Although small and low to ground there was about maybe 2km worth of gravel roads with some holes in spot but nothing that get me stuck. I was initially a bit concerned when I first hit a spot with a few potholes in the road but soon after hit a smoother stretch and all was good from there.

Overall accessing Hokkaido Komagatake Trailhead (北海道駒ヶ岳 登山口) was safe and easy. From the trailhead start it was about maybe 2.5 KM to the main area. Out and back about 5 KM. At this point in my hiking and travel I was still wearing my Nike running shoes however after this trip, I decided to upgrade my gear a bit more.

AllTrails Link: Although I was not actively using AllTrails at this point, this is the exact same hiking route I took available here at this AllTrails link.

The main peak of Hokkaide Komagatake.

View looking back Lake Onuma (大沼). Turned out to be another gorgeous day. I did have some concerns with encroaching cloud cover but even with the clouds, it was a magical experience with the sun rays poking through.

The below image is the at-current highest allowable point to hike. Around this main area were ropes with signs disallowing hiking beyond to the peak. The whole hike up and back was about 3 hours and although off the grid for a lot of folks, it was for me, well worth it. Many local Hokkaido residents and even some folks from Sapporo I met while hiking.

I will eventually return here and hike to the peak. Komagatake shall meet again my friend!

For actual video, full images, maps, and more, I will be posting via my YouTube Channel Volcanic Japan soon.