🌋 Hokkaido-Komagatake Raised to Eruption Warning Level 2

❓ What changed?

At 07:30 on October 2, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), through the Sapporo Regional Headquarters, raised the Eruption Warning Level for Hokkaido-Komagatake (elevation 1,131 m, 42°03′48″N / 140°40′38″E) from Level 1 (be aware it is an active volcano) to Level 2 (restrictions around the crater), issuing an Eruption Warning for the crater area. The trigger: tilt change indicating uplift toward the summit crater basin, continuing since around September 26, accelerated somewhat after midnight on October 2, and small-amplitude volcanic earthquakes originating in the shallow part of the summit crater basin increased. For this volcano, Level 2 criteria are met when any of the following is observed: volcanic tremor lasting 2 minutes or more at the Nishi-sanroku station; five or more volcanic earthquakes at Nishi-sanroku plus 100 or more at the Kengamine-higashi summit station within any 24-hour period; or intensified thermal activity such as increased fumarolic emissions. Level 1 carries no entry restriction, whereas Level 2 designates a caution zone within roughly 4 km of the crater, where large ballistic blocks thrown by an eruption are the main hazard. If no eruption occurs and the criteria are no longer met for about one month, the level will be lowered back to 1.

👥 Who is affected?

• ●Anyone planning to climb Hokkaido-Komagatake (trails inside the caution zone are subject to local government restrictions)
• ●Anyone entering or working within roughly 4 km of the crater
• ●Travelers planning sightseeing or driving trips in southern Hokkaido near the volcano
• ●Residents on the downwind side who may be affected by ashfall or small falling cinders

🌏 Impact on foreign residents and visitors

Japan has many active volcanoes, and each one is assigned an Eruption Warning Level from 1 to 5. Level 2 means restrictions around the crater — it does not mean an eruption has occurred, but entering the caution zone within about 4 km of the crater is dangerous, and local authorities close trails and areas there. For visitors, the practical impact shows up as closed hiking routes and viewpoints, or cancelled and rerouted local tours. On-site signs and announcements are mostly in Japanese, so check the situation yourself before you set out using JMA's eruption warning and ashfall forecast map pages. In daily life, if you are downwind, ash can fall on laundry, cars and air-conditioner filters and can irritate the eyes and throat. Levels are raised and lowered as activity changes, and they do not necessarily move one step at a time, so keep checking the latest information during your stay.