三瓶山 - Sanbesan - 3/14/2025

Mount Sanbe (Sanbesan) Shimane Prefecture (Nishinohara)

Mt. Sanbe national park consists of five peaks with the main peak, Osanbe, having an elevation of 1,126 m. There are six climbing routes available including a trail that winds through natural forests, a trail that passes through grassy fields with excellent views, and a route that takes you to the peaks in the fastest time via a lift. There is also a traversal route that covers its five peaks. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or an expert, you can choose a route that fits your schedule and physical strength. A field of grass covers the mountain top from where you can enjoy a beautiful 360-degree view over the Sea of Japan, the mountain areas of the Chugoku region, and Mt. Daisen in Tottori Prefecture. There are many features here to make climbing fun. Experience the joy of mountain climbing at Mt. Sanbe.

Source: https://www.sanbesan.jp/en/touristspot/4660/

My Experience

March 3rd, 2025 was my first pass at trying to hike the mountain however with heavy rain and snow, I decided to continue south and to return at another day to try again. On my return route from Kyushu and Kagoshima, I return on March 13 to somewhat better conditions so stayed the evening in the parking lot here: Sanbesanhigashinohara 1 Parking Lot¥ 東の原 第１駐車場 only to find I was the only one which made me question if the mountain was even hike-able at this time of year.

The following morning since I saw noone, I drove around to the other side of the mountain to the Hime-no-ike Trailhead course 三瓶山姫逃池コース登山口 also to find noone else here. I was not going to come this far twice without trying so I proceeded to hike...

About 1/3 of the way up, the snow kept getting deeper and deeper on the trail to the point I was falling through about a foot at first to 2 feet. With only ice cleats and the sole person hiking, I turned back.

This was my attempt: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/morning-hike-at-mount-sanbe-higashinohara-loop-c91e348

This is however what the same loop hike SHOULD be which is close to 10KM course from the Hime-no-ga-Ike course: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/japan/shimane/mount-sanbe-himenogaike-loop

On the way down I encountered 3 workers going up (I think they were part of effort to install restroom facilities at the top of the mountain) also noted by helicopter shuttling supplies to the top. I was tempted to follow them but decided just on returning another day.

Somewhat defeated, I did enjoy a Sanbe Burger 三瓶バーガー and was able to meet the owner who bakes his own buns for the burgers. All the folks I met in this entire region were ultra nice people and can without a doubt say that I will be returning. I also tried the onsen here Sanbe Onsen Shigakuyakushi Tsuru no Yu 三瓶温泉 志学薬師 鶴の湯 which was ok however not as hot I would would expect. It was still enjoyable though.

Demographics

Volcano No. - H22

Volcano name - Sanbe San

Volcano No. **H22

Geologic code **Q3a

Main activity period - Late Pleistocene - Holocene

Activity period / recent activity ***From 0.1 Ma.

Latest eruption: 1,400-1,300 yBP

Volcano type - Caldera - Pyroclastic flow plateau, Pyroclastic cone, Lava dome

Representative rock type - Felsic

Main rock type ****Dacite, Andesite

Height above sea level - 1126 m (Osanbesan)

Location (Prefecture)SHIMANE - Latitude (WGS84)35.1403E. Longitude (WGS84)132.6214

Active volcano name by JMA - Sanbesan

Record of eruption & disaster -

Additional comments -

About

Mount Sanbe, also known as Sanbesan, is an active stratovolcano in Ōda, Shimane Prefecture. The highest peak, Osanbe, has an elevation of 1,126 m (3,694 ft). At the center of the volcano is a caldera 1 km (0.62 mi) across. The volcano's composition is mainly dacite and andesite.

Volcanic activity was believed to have started 100 thousand years ago. The volcano frequently produces explosive eruptions with several classified as Plinian eruptions. All of these explosive eruptions occurred during the Pleistocene while one occurred in the Holocene at the Taiheizan lava dome approximately 3,700 years ago. The Holocene eruption triggered pyroclastic flows down the northeastern and southeastern flanks, reaching the Hayamizu River in the south. More recent eruptions have taken place but they are not precisely dated.

Source: Wikipedia

Geological Summary

Sanbesan stratovolcano, near the northern coast of SW Honshu, has a summit cut by a small caldera about 1 km in diameter. The highest point on the dacitic-to-andesitic volcano is O-Sanbe, at the northern end of the complex. There have been several large explosive eruptions during the Pleistocene and one strong Holocene eruption from the Taiheizan lava dome about 3,700 years ago. This eruption was accompanied by pyroclastic flows that swept down the NE-to-SE flanks and traveled 9 km down the Hayamizu River to the SW. Younger, undated eruptions have also occurred (Machida and Arai, 1992).

Source: Global Volcanism Program