吾妻山 - Azuma-Kofuji - 10/25/2022

Mount Azuma-kofuji (吾妻小富士) is an active stratovolcano in Fukushima prefecture, Japan.

It has a conical-shaped crater and as the name "Kofuji" (small Mount Fuji) suggests, the shape of Mount Azuma is like that of Mount Fuji. Mount Azuma's appealing symmetrical crater and the nearby fumarolic area with its many onsen have made it a popular tourist destination.

The Bandai-Azuma Skyline passes just below the crater, allowing visitors to drive to within walking distance of the crater and other various hiking trails on the mountain. There is also a visitor center along the roadway near the crater, where a collection of eateries, facilities, a parking lot, and a stop for buses from Fukushima Station are located.

Getting Started: For my trip it was rather short but well worth it. After completing about 3.5 hours of hiking just south of Azumayama at Bandaisan, I drove about 1.5 hour north to Azuma-Kofuji. The weather had already changed and while driving in on the 70 (Bandai-Azuma Skyline), I could see the fumarolic activity very clearly.

There is a rather huge parking lot called the Jodotaira Parking Area that also has restaurants, market, souvenirs, restrooms, and more. I call this type of volcano a drive by volcano as essentially you can just drive up to it, walk a very short hiking trail and still have a chance to experience the beauty and power of volcanism. Give the weather change and time of day, I crammed in short hike here it is on AllTrails Mount Azuma-Kofuji Loop, took a few photos, then went to restaurant for a quick bite to eat and some souvenirs.

Main crater.

Looking down and Northeast toward Fukushima.

Looking back west across crater to Oana crater and fumarolic activity.