Japan: Shinmoedake Eruption Sends Ash 5,000 Meters High 2

The Shinmoedake volcano, located on the border of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, continued to erupt on Thursday, July 3, spewing smoke up to 5,000 meters high around 2:00 p.m.

Japan: Shinmoedake Volcano Eruption Captured From Airplane

Shinmoedake, located in the Kirishima mountain range between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, erupted with increased intensity on Wednesday, July 2, sending an ash plume up to 2,800 meters above the crater. The following day, the ash plume rose as high as 5,000 meters. This video shows the volcano as seen from an airplane approaching Kagoshima on July 2.

Japan: Shinmoedake Eruption Sends Ash 5,000 Meters High

The Shinmoedake volcano, located on the border of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, continued to erupt on Thursday, July 3, spewing smoke up to 5,000 meters high around 2:00 p.m.

Japan: Shinmoedake Volcano Eruption Continues, Spews Ash 2,800 Meters Into Sky 3

Shinmoedake, in the Kirishima mountain range straddling Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, erupted more intensely at 11:43 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, sending an ash plume estimated to have reached 2,800 meters above the crater. Heavy ashfall continued in nearby areas, accumulating on buildings and vehicles.

Japan: Vehicles Covered in Ash as Shinmoedake Eruption Persists

Shinmoedake, in the Kirishima mountain range straddling Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, erupted more intensely at 11:43 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, sending an ash plume estimated to have reached 2,800 meters above the crater. Heavy ashfall continued in nearby areas, accumulating on buildings and vehicles.

Japan: Shinmoedake Volcano Eruption Continues, Spews Ash 2,800 Meters Into Sky

Shinmoedake, in the Kirishima mountain range straddling Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, erupted more intensely at 11:43 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, sending an ash plume estimated to have reached 2,800 meters above the crater. Heavy ashfall continued in nearby areas, accumulating on buildings and vehicles.

Japan: Shinmoedake Volcano Eruption Continues, Spews Ash 2,800 Meters Into Sky 2

Shinmoedake, in the Kirishima mountain range straddling Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, erupted more intensely at 11:43 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, sending an ash plume estimated to have reached 2,800 meters above the crater. Heavy ashfall continued in nearby areas, accumulating on buildings and vehicles.

More S. Koreans visit Japan to hike mountains

More S. Koreans visit Japan to hike mountains

KAGOSHIMA, Japan - A 56-year-old South Korean hiker points at a directional sign written in Hangul characters on a trail on Mt. Karakuni in Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Jan. 9, 2011. The number of South Korean climbers and hikers has been surging since 2007. Over 3,000 South Koreans seem to visit Japan annually to hike mountains, according to Japan National Tourism Organization and others.

More S. Koreans visit Japan to hike mountains

More S. Koreans visit Japan to hike mountains

KAGOSHIMA, Japan - A 56-year-old South Korean hiker points at a directional sign written in Hangul characters on a trail on Mt. Karakuni in Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Jan. 9, 2011. The number of South Korean climbers and hikers has been surging since 2007. Over 3,000 South Koreans seem to visit Japan annually to hike mountains, according to Japan National Tourism Organization and others. (Kyodo)

Poppies blooming in southwestern Japan

Poppies blooming in southwestern Japan

Photo taken May 1, 2018, shows poppies in full bloom on Ikoma Plateau at the foot of the Kirishima mountains in southwestern Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo