Showa Shinzan is a volcano formed by the eruptive activity that began in 1943 on the flat land at the foot of Usu volcano.
It is one of the most recent volcanoes in the 20th century that is still active, with records of eruptions from beginning to end.
The volcano was active from 1943 to 1945, and was uplifted by eruptive activity that began in 1944.
Fumarolic activity can still be seen today, and steam rises from the superheated lava when it rains.
When it was first formed, the mountain’s elevation was over 400 meters, but today it has shrunk to 398 meters due to the drop in temperature and erosion.
The red color of the mountain’s surface is due to the fact that the former soil was baked by the heat of the lava and hardened like bricks.
It is a special natural monument designated by the national government.
The volcano itself is privately owned, which makes it a rare volcano in the world.
20 min. by car from Datemonbetsu Station