Mt. Aso

Mount Aso is an active volcano in the center of Kyushu which most recently erupted in 2016 but has since calmed down again, a 1592 meter peak in Aso Kuju National Park in Kumamoto Prefecture on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. Aso's ancient caldera ranks among the world's largest, with a diameter of up to 25 kilometers and a circumference of over 100 kilometers.

Futaenotouge Pass

With an elevation 683 mountain pass, Futaenotouge Pass is a portion of the Bungo Circuit, a historic trail used by the feudal lords of the Kumamoto Domain to travel to Tokyo, in a practice known as sankin-kotai.

Isshingyo Park

Isshingyo Park is one of the top places in the country to view cherry blossom in the spring. All of the cherry blossoms at Isshingyo Park are fantastic, but the park is home to one particularly famous cherry tree. It's an absolute giant, measuring over 14 meters tall, and said to be over 400 years old.

Kikuchi Valley

Kikuchi Valley is located in Aso Kuju National Park. Underground water flows out of the subsoil for 4km along the valley floor. It is also called the Kikuchi water source and its water was selected as one of the 100 best waters in Japan.

Kokuzo Shrine

Kokuzo Shrine, marked by its impressive shinboku, a divine tree in which kami (spirits and deities) reside, is featured in the Engishiki, a thousand-year-old book from the Heian period. It's one of the oldest shrines in the Aso region.

Kuju Mountains

The Kuju mountain range (九重連山) is part of the Aso-Kuju National Park and includes the highest peak on the island of Kyushu. The mountains are covered by a network of hiking trails that offer spectacular views of the volcanic terrain.

Kurokawa Onsen

Kurokawa Onsen is one of Japan's most attractive hot spring towns, located in the middle of Kyushu about 20 kilometers north of Mount Aso. Well coordinated efforts by the town to maintain a pleasant, traditional atmosphere have kept Kurokawa free of the massive concrete hotels...

Mount Aso

Mount Aso is one of the most famous active volcanos in the center of Kyushu. In the center of the caldera stand the mountain's active volcanic peaks, including Mount Nakadake, whose spectacular crater is easily accessible to tourists by toll road or ropeway.

Shirakawa Riverhead

The Shirakawa riverhead, where the springs of Mount Aso pour forth, and the Ariake Sea, which has the greatest tidal range in Japan, are enticing tourist spots.