Photo/Illutration Bereaved families climb Mount Ontakesan to mark the seventh anniversary of the volcanic eruption on the border between Nagano and Gifu prefectures on Sept. 26. (Provided by Nagano Prefecture’s Otaki Village)

OTAKI, Nagano Prefecture--On the seventh anniversary of the deadly Mount Ontakesan eruption, 61-year-old Toshiaki Nomura was one of eight people among four bereaved families who climbed to the site. 

Nomura's son Ryota, who was 19 at the time, remains among the five climbers missing. In addition, 58 others were killed in the deadliest eruption in the nation's postwar era. 

In front of a religious monument on the mountain, Nomura prayed and offered Ryota’s favorite steamed buns and flowers.

“We came to meet the 63 victims,” Nomura, 61, said to Ryota. “This will be the last time this year, but we will come back to search for you next year.”

The eruption on Ontakesan, a 3,067-meter-high mountain straddling Nagano and Gifu prefectures, occurred at 11:52 a.m. on Sept. 27, 2014.

The bereaved family members were allowed to climb close to the crater for the first time on Sept. 26 to console the souls of victims in the Hacchodarumi mountainous area, where many climbers lost their lives.

The area is located at the eastern side of the mouth of the crater and near active fumaroles.

Shelters have not yet been set up near the area and safety has not been ensured, so climbing continues to be restricted there.

This year the bereaved families strongly requested access to the site, so they were allowed to climb for about 40 minutes accompanied by local Otaki village officials.

Nomura's son’s backpack was found in the Hacchodarumi area during the search after the eruption.

The father has searched the area to find traces of his son by filming from the air with drones and by obtaining special permission to enter.

He searched the area for the second time on Sept. 21. Nomura and Ryota's uncle Masanori, 58, searched for traces of Ryota for two hours by looking around rocky places and digging with small shovels in the area. 

“I am absolutely certain that the area is the last spot where he went missing,” Nomura said. “It was a long journey, but I found the place where his remains lie.”

He added, “I want you to wait for a while because I will try to find you.”

Masanori, who climbed with Ryota seven years ago, said, “We could not find any clues, but our first step has just started to bring him home.”

If a new shelter at Hacchodarumi is set up to ensure the safety of climbers, Otaki village is considering lifting the restriction on climbing next autumn.

If the restriction is lifted, Toshiaki and Masanori plan to return to the area to search for Ryota.

Related News