Aso travel guide
Aso is located almost in the center of Kyushu and possesses the world’s largest
Caldera with 18km west-east and 24km north-south, created by 4 periods of explosive
volcanic activity in the ancient times.
In the Aso Caldera, there are five mountains including Naka-dake mountain
which is an active volcano where the crater can be viewed from the top.
Daikanbo peak, on the outer edge of the Aso Caldera is a must place
to visit offering panoramic views of the magnificent scenery including the
five mountains of Aso and the serene and beautiful green plains below.
Exploring Aso
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The largest active volcano in Japan. Its peak is 1592 m above sea level. Its caldera is 25 km across north to south and 18 km across east to west. The caldera has a circumference of around 120 km, although sources vary on the exact distance. |
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The beautiful prairie of 785,000 square meter in the crater spreads in northern part of Mt. Eboshi that is one of the Aso Five Mountains. A big pond at its center and grazing horses round about make an idyllic scene. |
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The perfect spot view the five peak of Mount Aso. Daikanbo literally means a big observatory peak. The circumference of the Aso caldera is about 130 kilometers. From the observation site, you can clearly see its conical shape. |
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Aso Shrine is popular as a god protecting worshipers from traffic accidents, and exorcism, marriage, and learning. Aso shrine one of the oldest and most prominent shrines in Japan, and was built in 281 before accession of the 1st Emperor Jinmu. |
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The most popular hot spring resort in Aso region, located on the northern side of Mount Aso. Widely known for its open-air baths, it is one of the best places to enjoy the atmosphere of old town in Japan, where more than 20 Inns （Ryokan）and gift shops standing in a row along the Tanoharu River, a headstream of the Chikugo River. |
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Nabegataki Waterfall is a hidden tourist spot in Kumamoto prefecture, located just outside Oguni town in Aso region. One of the area’s more well-known waterfalls. Looking like a mini-Niagara. |
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Shirakawa suigen is the fountain to Shirakawa river that is one of the first class rivers of Japan. The quantity of water that spouts with the sand at the bottom of the pond is approximately 60 tons per minute. |
Tourist Tram / Minami Aso Rail Way
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The Minami Aso railway is a private railroad offering a very scenic ride from Takamori to Nakamatsu in the south east of the caldera. Lovely and magnificent scenery of Aso can be enjoyed. |
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Enjoy short trekking in the Nature. Kikuchi Valley is located in Aso Kuju National Park and 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. |
Local cuisines, Featured restaurant
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Enjoy Aso beef and local cuisines called dengaku. The restaurant uses the old private house with thatch roof built more than 200 years ago. Bake the meat and local ingredients with charcoal at a Japanese traditional style fire place. |
Aso Akaushi beef rice bowl
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Aso Akaushi laterally means red beef that is unique in that it has a higher proportion of red meat with just the right amount of fat. Aso Akaushi beer rice bowl is a local cuisine in Aso consisting of a bowl of rice put in a mildly sweet sauce and topped with Akaushi beef and egg. |
General information
| Address | City hall : 504-1 Miyaji, Ichinomiya, Aso-city, Kumamoto-prefecture |
| Access |
70 minutes by a vehicle from Kumamoto-city 70 minutes by a vehicle from Takachiho 140 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city |
| Population | 234,000 Population density 540 |
Aso
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