Natural disasters seldom strike Singapore and most of us are rather ignorant when it comes to empathizing the scale of destruction, pain and suffering that other countries have encountered.
Hence, it was with a curious mind that i stepped into the Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Global Geopark Mountaintop Disaster Prevention Theatre at the sanchou station of Usuzan Ropeway at Lake Toya.
It showcased a short, looping documentary on the measures taken, in the event of volcanic activity, to prepare residents in the region. To put things in better context, Mount Usu erupted 4 times in the 20th century; last of which was in year 2000.
Such measures have resulted in zero casualty in the last eruption.
Nevertheless, the Japanese at Lake Toya are not complacent and are constantly in "ready" mode should the need arises as smoke continues to rise from a few craters and from the recent news; quite a number volcanoes in Asia had erupted.
Pictures of the four eruptions at Mount Usu.
In case you are not interested in the documentary, the theatre is still a very much needed place for washrooms, free wifi and seats while waiting for the gondola to arrive.
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Location
184-5 Aza Showa Shinzan,
Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun,
Hokkaido, Japan 052-0102
Map
Check out under the label for "Usuzan Ropeway" under header "Noboribetsu (07-08 Aug)".
Pricing
Free with purchase of ropeway tickets.
For our 8 days, 7 nights Hokkaido itinerary in summer, click here.