Mimatsu Masao Memorial Museum: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary Man

Lake Toya and the surrounding landscape were created by centuries of volcanic activity. The Mount Usu volcano still erupts every 20-30 years, devastating the area. This museum pays tribute to local postmaster and amateur volcanologist Masao Mimatsu, whose detailed study of Mount Usu’s 1944 eruption won the acclaim of scientists across the world. Mimatsu’s notes have also informed emergency and evacuation planning in Japan for years. Come and explore this museum dedicated to the man who carefully tracked the progress of the volcano on behalf of future generations!