Yugama crater trail closes again a week after reopening

The trail and car park at Mt Kusatsu-Shirane’s Yugama crater reopened on 13 October for the first time since 2018, then closed again from 20 October.

What changes

Kusatsu Town ended the trial opening of the west trail and the Yumiike pond area on 19 October.

From 20 October the area and the car park are closed again.

The town cited heavy queues and congestion on National Route 292, which raised concerns about evacuation and emergency access, and far more visitors than expected.

It says the decision is not because of a change in volcanic activity.

No reopening date or method has been decided.

Who it affects

Anyone planning a Kusatsu-Shirane / Yugama visit.

When

Closed from 20 October 2026, no reopening date.

Where

Gunma

Official source

Kusatsu Town notice (updated 19 Oct 2026) ↗ Japanese

What to do

Don’t plan a crater visit for now. Route 292 itself is still open to traffic.

Also reported by: japan-guide.com report (20 Oct 2026) ↗

Last checked against the official source: 21 October 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us.