Sakurajima Eruption Day

What Is Sakurajima Day?

January 12th is "Sakurajima no Hi" (Sakurajima Day) in Japan. It marks the beginning of the Taisho Great Eruption of Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture on January 12, 1914. The eruption is regarded as one of the largest in Japan in the 20th century, and each year around this time Kagoshima City holds a large-scale disaster drill based on an eruption scenario. It is a day to pass on the history of the eruption and renew awareness of disaster preparedness.

The Taisho Great Eruption and a Changed Landscape

After it began, the Taisho eruption continued with repeated explosions for about a month, and huge amounts of lava poured out. The series of eruptions left 58 people dead.

• An island joined to a peninsula: The lava flowed into the sea on Sakurajima's west and southeast sides. Sakurajima and the Osumi Peninsula, previously separated by a strait about 400 m wide and up to about 100 m deep, became connected by land.
• The buried torii of Kurokami: The torii gate of Haragoso Shrine in the Kurokami district on the east side of Sakurajima was buried by volcanic ash and pumice, leaving only its top visible. The village head at the time decided to leave it unexcavated, and it still conveys the force of the eruption today.
• Ash over a wide area: Volcanic ash was observed from Kyushu all the way to the Tohoku region, and the pumice and other fallout are said to have totaled about 3.2 billion tons.

Fun Facts About Sakurajima

• Kokuhai bags: Kagoshima City distributes special "kokuhai-bukuro" (ash-overcoming bags) for residents to collect volcanic ash at home and put it out at designated spots.
• Wind direction in the forecast: In Kagoshima, weather forecasts report the wind direction above Sakurajima, giving people a clue as to where ash is likely to fall. The Japan Meteorological Agency also issues ashfall forecasts.
• Sakurajima daikon: Sakurajima's specialty daikon radish was once recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest radish, and big ones can weigh more than 30 kg.
• A ferry that runs around the clock: The Sakurajima Ferry, which connects central Kagoshima and Sakurajima in about 15 minutes, is an everyday lifeline for residents and operates 24 hours a day.

Ways to Spend Sakurajima Day

• Look at photos and records of the Taisho eruption to learn how people have lived alongside the volcano
• Check the hazard map for where you live and review evacuation sites and routes
• Inspect your emergency kit and add items such as masks and goggles
• Try Sakurajima specialties such as Sakurajima daikon and Sakurajima komikan (small mandarin oranges)

Sakurajima brings magnificent scenery and blessings, but it has also caused great disasters. On January 12th, why not review how prepared you are to face the forces of nature?