Aso Official Website
The Aso region is situated in the eastern part of Kumamoto Prefecture, close to the borders with Oita and Miyazaki Prefectures. It forms a major part of the “Aso-Kuju National Park” which spans Kumamoto and Oita Prefectures. The area attracts numerous tourists from both within Japan and overseas all year round.
The volcanic Mount Aso, emblematic of Kumamoto (the “Land of Fire”) is home to an immense caldera. Among the largest in the world, Aso’s caldera stretches 18 km east to west and 25 km north to south. Its center is dominated by mountains rising as high as 1,000 meters, while the vast area around the base of the mountain is blessed with high-quality hot springs and springs of clear water. The history and culture of the communities living within the caldera add depth and allure to the area. This harmonious combination of natural splendor and human heritage has led to its designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
The Aso area, centered around Kyushu’s Mount Aso and located in the northeastern part of Kumamoto Prefecture, is an exceptionally nature-rich region.
Aso has been recognized by various global authorities.
Mount Aso, an active volcano, is home to one of the world’s largest calderas. Its vast grasslands offer a landscape of overwhelming scale and unique beauty. The area also abounds with numerous hot springs, gifts of the volcanic activity, and the local culinary delight, “Akaushi” beef, originating from Kumamoto, adding to the unique allure of Aso.
The grasslands of Aso are documented in Japan’s oldest historical record, the “Nihon Shoki,” which was compiled about 1,300 years ago. This has led to them being known as the “Millennium Grasslands.” These grasslands depend on human care for their continued existence. They stand as a symbol of the enduring partnership between humans and nature over the centuries.
Embark on a journey to discover the “Akaushi” beef, a distinctive breed raised on the majestic grasslands of Aso. Explore the unique environment where these exceptional cattle are born and nurtured, and the deep commitment of the people who have protected this tradition for generations. “Terroir” refers to the “character of the land,” a concept initially related to how the natural environment influences the taste of wine.
Kumamoto Akaushi Terroir Trip is a comprehensive experience in which you can visit the area, experience its climate, terrain, and environment hands on, and understand deeply how these elements shape the local agriculture. Set out on an adventure to uncover the charm of Aso’s Akaushi beef and indulge in its unique flavors.
Aso City is also renowned for its exceptional hot springs, celebrated for their plentiful flow and superior quality.
Uchinomaki Onsen is the area’s leading hot spring destination, home to more than 20 hotels and inns. It’s also well-known for having hosted celebrated Japanese literary figures in the early 20th century.
The hot springs are clear and colorless, some even suitable for drinking. This area is a popular base for exploring Aso, enhancing the region’s appeal. A favorite activity among visitors is exploring the “Machi-yu,” or local public hot springs. Six of these cherished community bathhouses still serve as a gathering place for locals.
It has been more than 100 years since it was established as a popular diner. It is a famous restaurant with a nostalgic atmosphere. The "Akagyu-don" (red beef bowl), now synonymous with Imakin Shokudo, is a bowl full of flavorful "Akagyu" (red beef) grilled rare.
The dish is so popular that customers line up even on weekdays for it, and the flavor is doubled if you dip it in hot-spring egg.
Business hours:11:00-15:00
Closed:Wednesday
ASO MILK is a rare farm in Japan that has both a cattle farm and a processing plant.
ASO MILK, which is pasteurized and delivered immediately after being freshly squeezed, was awarded three stars by the International Taste Testing Organization in 2013.
At the flagship ASO MILK FACTORY, you can taste “freshly made” cheese and baumkuchen made with “freshly squeezed” ASO MILK.
Business hours:9:30-18:00
Closed:Open year-round
Yamaichi Shokuhin, a pickle shop specializing in Aso Takana, is located in the center of Uchimaki Onsen.
The Akagyu rice bowl, which is a perfect combination of a large cut Akagyu steak and a special sweet garlic soy sauce sauce, is superb. A side dish of dago soup and a tsukemono pickles buffet are also available. We also recommend the takana-meshi set (takana rice set), which uses the restaurant's own takana.
Business hours: 11:00-16:00 (last order 15:30)
Closed: No regular holidays
This long-established ryokan still retains the “Cedar Room” made of thousand-year-old Aya cedar trees, from which Akiko Yosano and her husband Tekkan are said to have composed a poem.
The hotel has two bars: a shochu bar with nearly 400 varieties of shochu, and a rooftop bar with a view of the sunset and starlit sky.
Also featured in the Michelin Guide Kumamoto/Oita 2018 Special Edition.
An old private house inn located at the foot of Aso Daikanbou, which is blessed with a great location.
Enjoy Aso’s local cuisine around the open hearth for dinner. All rooms have open-air and indoor baths. Please spend a mysterious time in a traditional space with consideration for comfort.
Healing hot springs, relaxing rooms, and delightful meals. This inn proposes a new ryokan style that has almost been forgotten. The inn has two different hot spring sources, and you can enjoy free-flowing hot-spring water from the source.
All of the 8 guest rooms are different from each other, and each room has its own unique atmosphere. The dinner, prepared and prepared by the head chef, is sure to be the highlight of your trip.
Although the inn has only 14 rooms, it has three chefs, and many guests visit every season for the food, which is prepared and served entirely by the chefs.
The inn is a place where people come seasonally to enjoy delicious food prepared and served by the chefs! We also grow vegetables at our own farm.
The hotel also offers a full range of facilities, including an atmospheric open-air bath where guests can enjoy natural hot spring water, private baths available free of charge to guests, a library, and a Finnish-style sauna.
With two different sources of hot spring water and abundant supply of hot water, this popular inn offers an open-air view of the five Aso peaks and a garden open-air view.
The hotel offers a wide variety of room types, allowing guests to choose the room that best suits their style of stay.
There is also a sauna, swimming pool, gym, and other facilities. A well-stocked store offering a variety of Aso souvenirs is also popular.
The bathhouse overlooks the beautiful scenery of Aso, and you can enjoy drinking hot spring water, which is rare even in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Dinner is a kaiseki meal featuring the tastes of Kumamoto and Aso. The chef carefully prepares each dish using seasonal local ingredients such as meat dishes made from Kumamoto brand beef or red beef and vegetables grown in Aso.
The experience of piloting a paraglider for two allows you to get a bird's eye view that you would never see if you were living your daily life. This is a true aerial experience, and the only way to experience the incredible scenery and voices of the sky in the majestic Aso region!
Moored with a rope, the hot air balloon rises to a maximum height of about 40 meters. Looking down at the magnificent scenery is an exhilarating experience! If you want to try the operation to build a fire on the burner, ask the pilot! Burning the burner, "Gosh! and feel the power of the explosion. It's an experience you won't find often!
Ride an e-bike to the Nakadake crater. You can enjoy riding on the grasslands while feeling the heartbeat of Aso, a living volcano that continues to emit volcanic smoke! The electric assist makes it easy to ride up steep hills that are too steep for ordinary bicycles! You can look into the bottom of Mt. Aso Nakadake crater and enjoy a fun and thrilling ride in the grassland.
Accessible by car or local bus, this tour is popular with families, couples, and small groups. Foreign visitors are also welcome! You can feel the volcanoes, grasslands, and history of Aso with your whole body!
Experience the vast 360-degree panoramic grassland and the varied outings through mountains and valleys!
Green Valley is located on the northern outer rim of the 850-meter-high mountain range, overlooking Mount Aso and the Kuju Mountain Range.
In outriding, participants go out to grasslands and other places on horseback.
Enjoy the great outdoors while walking or galloping.
Green Valley's therapy horses are safe even for beginners.
For those flying into Kumamoto Airport
Take the airport liner bus to Higo-Ozu Station (about 15 minutes) . From Higo-Ozu Station, board the JR Hohi Honsen train to Aso Station (about 50 minutes).
Take the “Yamabiko Express” operated by Kyushu Sanko Bus or Oita Bus. Get off at the bus stop in front of Aso Station (about 1 hour).
Take Prefectural Route 36 and 207 (about 20 minutes). Take the National Route 57 North Restoration Route. from Ozu IC to Aso West IC (about 20 minutes). Follow National Route 57 to Aso Station (about 10 minutes).
For those arriving by car
Take National Route 57 to Aso Station (about 50 minutes).
Take National Route 10 to Kamihetsugi Kawabaru (about 30 minutes), and then National Route 57 to Aso Station (about 1 hour 20 minutes).
For Those Arriving by Train or Bus
Take the JR Hohi Honsen Line train bound for Higo Ozu (about 35 minutes). Transfer at Higo Ozu Station and take the Hohi Main Line train bound for Miyaji to Aso Station (about 50 minutes).
Take the Trans-Kyushu Limited Express (Kyushu Odan Tokkyu) bound for Kumamoto and get off at Aso Station (approximately 2 hours).
Take the Kyushu Odan Bus to Aso Station
(approximately 2 hours).
