Aso

Aso-san (阿蘇山) in Kumamoto-ken is the largest active volcano in Japan and one of the Prefecture's leading tourist attractions. Visitors crowd around the Mt. Nakadake crater to watch the sulphuric steam rise up out of the blue water at its centre. Aso-san is an active volcano and should be treated with due caution. The sulphuric steam emitted from the crater is toxic and there are times when the ropeway, trails and toll road are closed for public safety. When we visited, the toll road and ropeway were closed for about 30 minutes and then re-opened but approaching the crater itself was still prohibited. Take these warnings seriously. The view is not worth your life.

• If you have asthma, a lung infection (bronchitis) or heart disease, it is STRONGLY recommended that you do not approach the crater or breathe in the gas.

Getting There

The Mt. Nakadake crater at Aso-san can be reached in a number of different fashions. For the outdoor adventurers, there are numerous hiking trails that will take you around the crater (we also saw many cycling enthusiasts tackling the mountain). For those who'd like an overhead view, the Mt. Aso Ropeway departs every 15-20 minutes from Aso-san Nishi Station to Kako Nishi Station. It only costs ￥1000 for a return trip. Finally, for those who might be afraid of heights, there is also an option to drive to the top. There is a toll road at Aso-san Nishi Station (where you catch the Ropeway) that will take to the crater for ￥560 (per car).

• For further information on how to get to Aso-san, the Mt. Aso Ropeway website offers detailed instructions in English: "[1]"

Shopping

While waiting for the ropeway or toll road to re-open on windy days, the gift shop at the Aso Nishi Ropeway Station is worth exploring. They offer an abundant array of souvenir gifts (omiyage) in the form of Aso-san jersey milk cookies, cake, horse meat, and Kumamon-themed goods. (Kumamon is the black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture). For purikura enthusiasts, there is a special Aso-san purikura machine located inside the gift shop that allows you and your friends to take lasting portraits against various crater backdrops for a mere ￥500.

Places to Stay

• Aso Youth Hostel

  Contact: (0967) 34-0804

  Open: Year round (Closed from Dec.21-Jan. 2)

  Cost: ¥2000 per person (meals not included)

  Features: bedrooms are dorm style, no internet or wifi, small public bath (sento) open from 5-9PM each night

  Link (in English): "[2]"

• Little Asia Guest House

  Contact: (0967) 67-2155

  Cost: from ￥1500 per person (rooms are dorm style and Japanese style)

  Check-in time:09:00-23:00; check-out time: 12:00PM

  Meals: Dinner is family-style at 7 PM (￥280)

  Review: This was a really nice family-run operation close to Aso-san. It's easy to get to if you have a car, but you might miss the sign if you're not looking closely. The place was crawling with small kids, but they were cute and well-behaved. The owners were very welcoming, as were the other guests. Our room itself was okay, nothing special. It was a bit damp in the Japanese style room, to be honest, but we slept comfortably. The dorm rooms were crowded - there is barely enough space to walk in there with the beds. They allowed us to use the washing machine & soap for free, but the dryer cost ￥300 per use. The showers are also free, but we opted to go to the sento instead. Though we didn't see this feature while we were there, they apparently have a natural hot spring out back that you can pay ￥300 to use. The wooded lot behind the guest house was really quite nice and if you follow the trail it'll take you to a "secret" waterfall.

  Website (English): [3]'

Things to See

• Komezuka

  This mini-volcano can be found on the northern slopes of Nakadake. It's a symmetrical volcanic cone covered in grass. You can walk around it or climb it and get some pretty amazing views of Kumamoto in the meantime. It's also great for photo ops!

• Volcano Museum

• Nature

  Along the roads leading up and down Aso-san, there is no shortage of amazing views. You will often see people with their cars pulled over, stopping to take pictures of the scenery. In short, it's stunning. Give yourself time to enjoy the views! If you're feeling brave, you can even take pictures with the livestock (cows and horses) which roam the plains on either side of the road.