28 May 2023

Traversing Muroran's Volcanic "Hell Valley"

We arrived at Muroran this morning, the city named from the Ainu word 'Mo Ruerani' which means 'the bottom of a little slope'. Starting with a visit to the active volcano, Mount Usu, located in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Taking a cable car to the top of the mountain we were able to venture to the observation deck where the steaming mountainside was captured in our memories and on film. From there we were able to take a short walk to the crater edge before meandering back to the cable for the descent.

From there we made our way to Jigokudani, Hell Valley- a place of geothermal activity, created by a volcanic eruption 20,000 years ago. Taking the loop boardwalk, we made our way past the steaming sulphur pools, admiring the magical mosses along with other flora and fauna. Some managed to walk further afield to Oyunuma Pond which looped back around to our meeting point. We were fortunate to see the late flowering cherry blossom in bloom with a small fall of petals on the ground.

Along our walks we saw plenty of birds - Meadow Bunting, Japanese tit, Oriental Greenfinch and Flycatcher, to name a few, as well as hearing the warbler.

Upon boarding Heritage Adventurer, we departed Muroran Port with plenty of locals coming to look at the ship and wave us off. Our afternoon comprised of educational talks and conversations on board and also being out on the deck to try our eyes at spotting wildlife.

Image (c) by: S.Tranmer