Local Guide
6 classic scenic spots in Aso that you must visit if you go sightseeing in Aso.

The Aso/Kujyu area boasts one of the world's largest calderas and offers unique natural scenery. There are many sightseeing spots where you can experience the natural beauty created by the great volcanic eruption of prehistoric times and the tens of thousands of years that have passed since then. Here are some of the most beautiful spots in Aso that you should experience at least once if you come to Aso.

Magnificent grasslands and ponds in the crater ruins

Designated as a national scenic beauty spot and a natural monument. The pond is the remains of a former crater. Now, rainwater and other elements have accumulated to create a beautiful pond.
Designated as a national scenic beauty spot and a natural monument. The pond is the remains of a former crater. Now, rainwater and other elements have accumulated to create a beautiful pond.

Eboshidake, one of the five Aso peaks, is one of Aso's most popular tourist spots. The magnificent view of the prairie spreading over the crater ruins, which are approximately 1 km in diameter, and the ponds filled with rainwater in the prairie, are attractive.
Nakadake, the only one of the five Aso peaks that is still active, can be seen up close, and the view of its volcanic fumes can be seen. A walk through the grasslands will allow you to experience the grandeur of nature. If you are physically fit, climb Komatateyama, located near the center of the meadow, to see the spectacular view from the opposite side of the parking lot.

After circling the meadow on a horse-drawn cart, take a break at a café or restaurant.

The horse-drawn experience lasts from about 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the course. The horses are very gentle, so people of all ages can enjoy the experience.
The horse-drawn experience lasts from about 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the course. The horses are very gentle, so people of all ages can enjoy the experience.

We also recommend a horseback riding experience (1,500-5,000 yen/person) at the Aso Kusasenri Horseback Riding Club, where you can take a leisurely ride on a horse through the grasslands.
After enjoying your stroll, head to the area by the Parking. There are many stores where you can enjoy meals and souvenirs, such as the stylish Kusasenri Coffee Roasting Shop, Kusasenri Observation Restaurant, and douce Nucca, which serves red beef hamburgers, among others. Next to the restaurant is the Aso Volcano Museum. Visitors can learn more about Aso by viewing exhibits on the history of the volcano and watching a live broadcast of the crater.

Local Guide Comment
From the Kusasenri Observation Deck, located about 1,100 meters above sea level, steps lead up from the Kusasenri Parking Lot, offering a 360-degree view of Kusasenri, Nakadake, and Yonezuka, a national scenic beauty spot and natural monument. If the weather permits, you can also see Unzen Fugendake on the other side of the mountain.
Kusasenrigahama
  • Address Kusasenrigahama, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 20 min. by car from JR Aso Station
  • Closed None
  • Admission Fee Admission free
  • TEL 0967-34-1600（Aso Information Center)
  • Parking Yes (500 yen per visit)

Aso Caldera and the Aso Gogaku (Five Aso Mountains) can be viewed from this spectacular spot.

The mountain was named
The mountain was named "Daikanbo" by Tokutomi Soho, a great writer from Kumamoto, in 1922. In front of it are the Five Aso Mountains, called "Nirvana Zo (image of Nirvana).

The Aso Caldera, one of the largest caldera basins in the world, is surrounded by the outer rim of the Aso Volcano. Daikanbo is the highest peak of the northern outer rim, 936 meters above sea level. This natural lookout point, with a view of the caldera basin to the south and the five Aso peaks in the center, is one of Aso's most popular viewing spots.
A five-minute walk along the promenade from the parking lot brings you to the observation point where the mountain juts out like a cape. You can feel the power of Aso's great nature in the breathtaking panoramic view. From the concrete paved observation point, you can also go further along a path in the grassland to the end of the peak.

The caldera wall and the magnificent grassland are full of magnificent views that can only be seen here.

The grandeur of the caldera wall, which was formed when the caldera collapsed, is also a sight to behold. Some people enjoy paragliding.
The grandeur of the caldera wall, which was formed when the caldera collapsed, is also a sight to behold. Some people enjoy paragliding.

In addition to the panoramic view of the Aso valley, the 300 to 500 meter-high caldera wall is also very impressive. Furthermore, to the north, there is an extraordinary view of grasslands as far as the eye can see, and even the Kujyu mountain range can be seen behind the grasslands.
On the way back from the observation deck, it is recommended to turn aside from the concrete paved promenade and stroll along a small path surrounded by grasslands. Next to the parking lot is the Daikanbo Tea Shop, where you can eat and buy Aso and Kumamoto souvenirs, including the famous soft-serve ice cream and frankfurters.

Local Guide Comment
It is also famous for its early morning sea of clouds. It is also a spot that changes its appearance with the seasons, with silver grass in autumn and a desolate landscape after the burning of the fields around March.
Daikanbong Peak
  • Address 2090-8 Yamada, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 30 min. from JR Aso Station by car
  • Closed None
  • Admission Fee Admission free
  • TEL 0967-34-1600（Aso Information Center)
  • Parking Free of charge

A water source with a beautiful view of spring water that will cleanse you from the bottom of your heart.

The water is so clear that it is hard to capture in a photograph. It has been selected as one of the
The water is so clear that it is hard to capture in a photograph. It has been selected as one of the "100 best waters of the Heisei Era" by the Ministry of the Environment (photo courtesy of the Kumamoto Prefectural Tourism Federation).

Aso is a treasure trove of spring water spots. One of the representative spring water sources is the Shirakawa Water Source located in Minami Aso Village. It is the source of the Shirakawa River, a first-class river that flows into Kumamoto City, and boasts an abundant water flow of 60 tons per minute.
When you go to the deeper water source, you will find an amazingly clear pond! You can even see the bottom of the pond as if there were no water, and you can clearly see the spring water gushing out of the pond. Just gazing at the pond, your eyes and mind will be refreshed.

Enjoy the taste of Aso's spring water by fetching water

Water intake area equipped with ladles and water jars. (Photo courtesy of Kumamoto Prefectural Tourism Federation)
Water intake area equipped with ladles and water jars. (Photo courtesy of Kumamoto Prefectural Tourism Federation)

There is a water intake area right next to the spring in Aso, where visitors can draw water. Many people carry large containers of water or come from far away to fetch water regularly, as the mild taste of fresh water from underground makes coffee and food tastier. Even if you don't have a container on hand, there are empty plastic bottles for sale at the store in front of the water source.
There are also stores nearby where you can Experience paper making with spring water or enjoy coffee made with spring water, so please enjoy the charm of Shirakawa Suigen with all your body.

Local Guide Comment
In addition to the Shirakawa water source, there are a total of 11 water sources in Minami Aso Village. The taste of the water is slightly different, and the scenery varies, so it is recommended to enjoy a tour of the water sources!
Shirakawa Water Source
  • Address 2040 Shirakawa, Minami-Aso Village, Aso County, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 20 min. by car from JR Tatsuno Station
  • Closed None
  • Admission Fee 100 yen for high school students and older, free for junior high school students and younger (as a cooperation fee for environmental preservation)
  • TEL0967-67-1112（Minami Aso Village Industry and Tourism Division)
  • Parking Free of charge

Mysterious curtain of water that became a topic of conversation when it was chosen as a location for a TV commercial

The view of water falling widely from the large bedrock formed by the eruption is mysterious.
The view of water falling widely from the large bedrock formed by the eruption is mysterious.

This scenic spot is located in Oguni Town, which borders Oita Prefecture in the northern part of the Aso area. Located deep in the forest, a waterfall with a 10-meter drop and a width of about 20 meters gracefully drops water like a curtain, creating a beautiful, picturesque scene.
It is said that the waterfall was created by a huge eruption about 90,000 years ago when the caldera of Aso was formed, and the preciousness of this miraculous formation created by nature is mind-blowing. The site became a topic of conversation when it was chosen as the location for a TV commercial for a famous soft drink, and is now loved by many people as one of the most beautiful spots in Aso that cannot be missed.

See the waterfall up close and feel the negative ions.

The area around the waterfall is slippery and wet due to poor footholds, and there are many drops of water flying around, so please be careful!
The area around the waterfall is slippery and wet due to poor footholds, and there are many drops of water flying around, so please be careful!

The waterfall is located in the forest about 5 minutes down the stairs and boardwalk from the parking lot. There are six heart-shaped stones hidden in the cobblestones of the boardwalk, so it is fun to walk around looking for them.
You can get close to the waterfall and feel the wind and drops of falling water, which is a soothing and relaxing experience. See with your own eyes and take pictures of the elegant and magnificent scenery created by nature.

Local Guide Comment
Every year, for a limited time only, the waterfall is illuminated at night. Please note that admission to the waterfall is by advance reservation only through the Internet.
Nabegataki Waterfall
  • Address Kurobuchi, Oguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto MAP
  • Direction Approximately 90 min. from Kumamoto IC of Kyushu Expressway by car.
  • Business hours 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
  • Closed December 28 - January 3
  • Admission fee High school students and older: 300 yen, elementary and junior high school students: 150 yen, children under elementary school age: free *Reserve in advance and purchase tickets on the website.
  • TEL 0967-46-2113 (Oguni Town Information Division Commerce, Industry and Tourism Section)
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Memo Admission to the park is by advance reservation only; please purchase tickets on the website before visiting the park.

Mysterious megaliths on a grassy hill. A power spot where you can feel the romance of ancient times.

Among the megaliths, there is a stone with a line engraving pattern that appears to be ancient Sumerian writing.
Among the megaliths, there is a stone with a line engraving pattern that appears to be ancient Sumerian writing.

Minami-Oguni Town (Minami-Oguni Town) is located on the north side of the northern outer rim of Mt. This popular power spot is located in a town with abundant attractions such as hot springs like Kurokawa Onsen, plateaus like Senomoto Kogen, valleys, and beautiful countryside scenery.
This spot is a hill of grassland on the northern outer rim of the mountain, where more than 300 giant stones of various sizes are lined up in a row. The air is quiet as if cut off from its surroundings, creating a mysterious and mystical atmosphere. These megaliths are believed to have been artificially placed by ancient people, and are presumed to be ancient ruins. It is a space where one can feel the romance of antiquity.

Beyond the plains as far as the eye can see, the five Aso peaks and the Kujyu mountain range can also be seen.

Sitting on a stone or strolling down the hill, you will feel refreshed just by spending time in your own way.
Sitting on a stone or strolling down the hill, you will feel refreshed just by spending time in your own way.

The 5.5-meter-high, 15.3-meter-surrounding megalith, also known as "Oni no Otedama" (the devil's beak), is located in the center of the megalithic group, with the North Star directly north of its peak. There is also a "scissors stone," between which the sun rises on the summer solstice and sets on the winter solstice, and a "mirror stone" with line engravings that are thought to be ancient characters.
The hill also offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the northern outer rim of the mountain range, and is popular for its distant views of the five Aso peaks, the Kujyu mountain range, and Mount Watarigamidake. The hill offers beautiful seasonal scenery, with prairies in spring and summer, and a field of silver grass in autumn.

Local Guide Comment
You can borrow a compass from the reception desk and bring it close to the magnetic boulder to see how the compass goes round and round!
Oshido-ishi Hill
  • Address Oaza-Nakahara, Minami-Oguni Town, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 35 min. by car from JR Aso Station
  • Closed None
  • Admission Fee Junior high school students and older: 200 yen, children: 100 yen
  • TEL Minami-Oguni Town Tourist Association (0967-42-1444)
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Memo The road from the prefectural road to the Parking is very narrow, so be careful if you are not used to driving.

The "highest suspension bridge in Japan" offers a spectacular experience as if you are walking in the sky.

A suspension bridge connects the mountains at an elevation of 777 meters. There are places along the way where the bottom of the valley can be seen clearly, making it quite a thrilling experience (photo courtesy of the Kokonoe
A suspension bridge connects the mountains at an elevation of 777 meters. There are places along the way where the bottom of the valley can be seen clearly, making it quite a thrilling experience (photo courtesy of the Kokonoe "Dream" Suspension Bridge Management Center).

The 390-meter-long suspension bridge is located in Kokonoe-cho, Oita Prefecture, just northwest of the Aso area. With a height of 173 meters from the ground, it boasts of being the "tallest in Japan" for pedestrian walkways only. The attraction of the bridge is not only the thrill of walking through the sky, but also the spectacular view that can be enjoyed only on a suspension bridge.
Below you is the virgin forest of Naruko River Valley, which flows at the headwaters of the Chikugo River, and in front of you are the Shindo Falls, a male waterfall with a drop of 83 meters that has been selected as one of the "100 Best Waterfalls in Japan," and the Female Falls. In addition, the magnificent Kujyu mountain range can be seen in the distance, and visitors can enjoy the view as if they were walking in the air.

The bridge is especially popular during the fall foliage season, when you can look down on the powerful autumn foliage from the sky.

In autumn, the whole view below the suspension bridge is covered with autumn leaves.
In autumn, the whole view below the suspension bridge is covered with autumn leaves.

Opened in 2006, the suspension bridge is a regular tourist attraction in the Kujyu area and attracts many visitors. The most popular season is the season of autumn leaves. The "Narukogawa Canyon" and "Kukenkei Canyon" around the suspension bridge are filled with autumn leaves, and visitors can enjoy viewing autumn foliage on a grand scale. In addition, with the greenery in spring and summer and the snowy landscape in winter, there is no end to the charm of each season.

Local Guide Comment
There are two entrances to the bridge, one in the Nakamura area on the west side and the other in the Kitagata area on the east side. The "Nakamura Area" facing the prefectural road is easier to Direction and has a bus stop, tourist information center, restaurants, souvenir stores, and other Property.
Kokonoe "Dream" Suspension Bridge
  • Address 1208 Ooaza Tano, Kokonoe-cho, Kusu-gun, Oita MAP
  • Direction Approximately 25 min. by car from Kokonoe IC on Oita Expressway
  • Business hours Jan-Jun, Nov-Dec 8:30-17:00
    July-October: 8:30-18:00
    Admission tickets are sold until 30 minutes before the close of business.
  • Closed No admission (admission may be restricted due to inclement weather, etc.)
  • Admission Fee Adults (junior high school students and older): 500 yen, elementary school students: 200 yen, children under elementary school age: free
  • TEL 0973-73-3800（Kuju "Dream" Suspension Bridge Management Center)
  • Parking Free of charge
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.