Expired Volcano

As part of my trip to onsen, I stopped at an expired volcano to ride a ski lift to the top. The way up was easy because the baskets were close to the ground. Oddly, on the way down, the chairs felt twice as high. This must be an illusion riding up and down the mountain (yama). It was a beautiful day with excellent visibility for several miles. Further, clouds faded the background for some nice views of distant villages.

The expired volcano had very little exposed stone and was nearly covered in lawn-length grass. Are the Japanese crazy enough to run a lawn mower over this tourist attraction? The thought crossed my mind more than once on the fifteen minute journey to the top.