TOKYO (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2019) Japan Meteorological Agency on Sunday raised a volcanic alert for Mount Hakone in a popular hot spring resort area near Tokyo.
The alert was raised after the agency recorded an increasing seismic activity around the 4,718-feet complex volcano in Kanagawa Prefecture. The mountain is located only 50 miles from the Japanese capital.
The agency recorded 45 volcanic earthquakes on Saturday around Mount Hakone on Saturday. On Friday, this number was zero.
The town of Hakone decided to restrict entry around the crater and closed the road to the mountain. The town is noted for numerous hot spring resorts, which attract scores of tourists. The operator of one of the most popular places in Hakone - Owakudani volcanic valley with hot springs - decided to suspend services in the area.
The previous alert for the volcano was issued in 2015, with the agency warning people not to approach the area. The latest eruption took place between the 12th and 13th centuries, according to scientists.
