is a lava dome

Lava dome

|250px|thumb|right|Image of the [[rhyolitic]] lava dome of [[Chaitén Volcano]] during its 2008–2009 eruption.In volcanology, a lava dome is a roughly circular mound-shaped protrusion resulting from the slow extrusion of viscous lava from a volcano...

 located in the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group

Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group

The is a volcanic group of peaks arranged around the wide caldera in Hokkaidō, Japan. In the Ainu language it is known as Nutapukaushipe or Nutaku Kamushupe. These peaks are the highest in Hokkaidō...

 of the Ishikari Mountains

Ishikari Mountains

The is a range of volcanic mountains in central Hokkaidō, Japan. The mountain range is made up from the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group and the Tomuraushi Volcanic Group. The volcanoes are part of the Kurile arc of the Pacific ring of fire.-References:...

, Hokkaidō

Hokkaido

, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...

, Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

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Climbing route

The easiest way up the mountain is to use the Daisetsuzan Sōunkyō Kurodake Ropeway

Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway

The is a Japanese aerial lift line in Kamikawa, Hokkaidō, operated by . The company also operates travel agency, a hotel in Asahidake Onsen, and chairlifts in Mount Moiwa Ski Resort, Sapporo. Opened in 1967, the aerial lift climbs Mount Kuro of Daisetsuzan Mountains from hot spring resort. A...

 up from Sōunkyō

Sounkyo

is a range of gorges located in Kamikawa, Hokkaidō, Japan. Situated in the Daisetsuzan National Park, the area is known for its hotels and onsen resorts as well as waterfalls and magnificent cliffs scenery...

. This takes you approximately 600 metres (1,968.5 ft) up the mountain. You can then use a chairlift

Chairlift

An elevated passenger ropeway, or chairlift, is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel cable loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs...

 to carry you up past the 1500 metres (4,921.3 ft) mark. From there it is a hike with switchback

Hairpin turn

A hairpin turn , named for its resemblance to a hairpin/bobby pin, is a bend in a road with a very acute inner angle, making it necessary for an oncoming vehicle to turn almost 180° to continue on the road. Such turns in ramps and trails may be called switchbacks in American English, by analogy...

s the rest of the way to the top. You can also hike the entire route parallel to the ropeway and chairlift from Sōunkyō Onsen. A popular route continues past Mount Kuro, around the Ohachi-Daira caldera, over Mount Asahi

Asahidake

is the tallest mountain in Hokkaidō, Japan. Part of the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group of the Ishikari Mountains, it is located in the northern part of the Daisetsuzan National Park....

 and down the Asahidake Ropeway

Asahidake Ropeway

The is Japanese aerial lift line in Asahidake Onsen, Higashikawa, Hokkaidō, operated by . Refurbished in 2000, the line climbs Mount Asahidake of Daisetsuzan Mountains, the tallest mountain in Hokkaidō...

 to Asahidake Onsen

Asahidake Onsen

is a small village in the Taisetsuzan National Park, Hokkaidō, Japan.The village consists of a few hotels and a youth hostel. It a popular base for hikers in the national park, and for tourists using Asahidake Ropeway to climb Asahidake, Hokkaidō's highest peak. There is also a hot springs resort,...

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