Local Guide
Six power spots to stop by when you visit Aso. From water sources to shrines

The Aso area is located in the northeastern part of Kumamoto Prefecture and is home to one of the world's largest calderas. It is a place of great spectacular natural power, with volcanic craters that still spew smoke and panoramic prairies, as well as springs, forests, valleys, hot springs, and more. There are many recommended power spots in Aso. From the pure water sources to mysterious hills and shrines that are said to bring good fortune, here are some of the spots that you should definitely visit.

A beautiful water source where water gushes out, soothing the soul

The water source is so clear that you can clearly see the bottom of the water and even the moss.
The water source is so clear that you can clearly see the bottom of the water and even the moss.

Minamiaso Village, located in the southern part of the Aso Caldera, has many water sources from the underground water of the Aso area. The most representative of these is the Shirakawa Water Source. Surrounded by lush forests, this water source is the total source of the Shirakawa River, a first-class river that flows into Kumamoto City, and gushes out 60 tons of water per minute. The spring at the water source is highly transparent, and you can clearly see the water gushing out from the bottom of the spring. The water flows through the trees as a murmuring stream, creating a sacred atmosphere. The beautiful water and air will soothe your soul.

Enjoy the spring water, selected as one of the "100 best waters of the Heisei Era.

Bring your own plastic bottle to fetch water. Many people, not only locals but also from far away, visit to fetch water.
Bring your own plastic bottle to fetch water. Many people, not only locals but also from far away, visit to fetch water.

Shirakawa Suigen is located within the precincts of "Shirakawa Yoshimi Shrine," where the god of water is enshrined, and the spring water has a long history of being revered as water that promotes longevity and eliminates various diseases. It has been selected as one of the "100 best waters of the Heisei era" by the Ministry of the Environment, and you can freely draw water from the spring. The mineral-rich water with a mild taste is a must-try.
On the premises, there is a sweet shop where you can enjoy coffee made from the spring water, a souvenir shop where you can buy Aso souvenirs, and a store where you can experience making paper using the water from the water source. You can experience the charm of spring water with your whole body.

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
  • Memo Alternative bus service is in operation between JR Higo Otsu Station and Aso Station (as of April 2020) due to the suspension of service.

Beautiful and mysterious scenery created by a large prairie and megaliths

The hill is also an attractive photogenic spot. It has even been used for filming movies.
The hill is also an attractive photogenic spot. It has even been used for filming movies.

This power spot is located in Minami-Oguni Town, about 35 minutes by car from JR Aso Station. A small hill and a group of giant stones appear after walking up a narrow road in a pasture (grassland), creating a quiet location that seems cut off from the surrounding area. From the hilltop, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Mount Aso, the Kujyu mountain range, Mt. The atmosphere of the hill, lined with more than 300 stones of various sizes, is somewhat mysterious. It is a place full of mysterious power that makes you want to just relax and do nothing.

Feel the ancient romance of the magnetic field and line engravings on the stones.

When a directional magnet is placed on the stone, the magnetic field causes the needle to go out of alignment, which is also a mysterious sight.
When a directional magnet is placed on the stone, the magnetic field causes the needle to go out of alignment, which is also a mysterious sight.

The megaliths are believed to have been artificially placed, and some believe that they may be ancient ruins, as they form a line connecting several power spots in Japan. Some of the megaliths are carved with patterns that look like ancient characters, while others are positioned so that the sun rises between the two stones on the summer solstice. Some of the stones have magnetic fields, and if you bring a directional magnet, which can be borrowed at the reception desk, to the rocks, you can see the needle spinning around and around. Come and feel the romance and mystery of the long history of time and antiquity.

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 please be careful if you are not familiar with driving.
    JR Higo Otsu Station - Aso Station is under operation, so an alternative bus is in service (as of April 2020)

    The road from the prefectural road to the parking lot is very narrow, so be careful if you are not used to driving.

Visit three shrines to pray for good luck and lottery winnings

Oguniryo Shrine, surrounded by a forest of cedar trees, is said to bring good fortune to the family.
Oguniryo Shrine, surrounded by a forest of cedar trees, is said to bring good fortune to the family.

Oguni Town in Aso County is located in the northern part of the prefecture. The first is Oguni-ryo Shrine, which enshrines two gods, Takahashi no Miya and Hi no Miya, who pioneered Oguni Township; the second is Keyaki-suigen no Suijin-sama, where water springs from the base of a 1,000-year-old zelkova tree and is said to bring good luck; and the third is the Suijin-sama Shrine, which is said to bring good luck and is located at the base of a 1,000-year-old zelkova tree. The third is Kagamigaike Ebisu-sama, the god of fortune. Walking along the stone pavements and elegant streets that still retain the atmosphere of the town when it flourished as an inn town, let's pray for good fortune.

Receive "lucky coins" to boost your luck!

Kagamigaike Pond, which is said to contain a bronze mirror from the Heian period (794-1192)
Kagamigaike Pond, which is said to contain a bronze mirror from the Heian period (794-1192)

In the Edo period (1603-1867), many villagers who visited these three shrines prayed for lottery winnings, as there is an anecdote that villagers who visited these shrines enthusiastically won a fortune one after another. In those days, it was customary to borrow small coins from the shrines as "fukuzen," as it was said that mixing coins from the two shrines in Oguni would bring back 10,000 times the original amount for a business venture.
Stamps at each spot are stamped on the prescribed sheet and exchanged for fukuzen at the "fukuzen exchange" stores in the town's Miyahara shopping district. Once you have gained good fortune, do not forget to return the blessed coins and pay your respects.

The water god of the Keyakizui source
The water god of the Keyakizui source
Tour of three lucky shrines in Oguni
  • Address 1670 Miyahara, Oguni-cho, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture (Oguni Ryoshinja Shrine) MAP
  • Direction Approximately 40 minutes from JR Aso Station by car
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from JR Aso Station, get off at "Oguni-mae Town Hall" and walk about 6 minutes.
  • Hours of Operation 0967-46-3621（Oguni Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
  • TEL 0967-46-3621（Oguni Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
  • Parking Free (both Oguni Shrines)
  • Memo Stamp sheets for visiting the three shrines are available at stamp stands at each spot and at stores near the two shrines.
    Buses between JR Higo Otsu Station and Aso Station are currently out of service (as of April 2020).

A small shrine in the village that enshrines a living white snake

There are two shrines enshrining live white snakes as deities within the shrine grounds.
There are two shrines enshrining live white snakes as deities within the shrine grounds.

A small, uninhabited shrine is located in Akamizu, Aso City, at the foot of Mt. The origin of the shrine is said to be that people worshipped a white snake that lived on a large rock at the back of the shrine grounds, and it has been carefully protected by the local people for several hundred years. Three white snakes are enshrined in the snake shrine at the back of the shrine, and visitors can view and photograph their pure white form through the glass. There is also a rumor that if you use them as a standby image on your smartphone, it will bring you good luck. Just looking at the sacred white snake seems to cleanse the heart.

There is also a charm containing a shell of a white snake, which is believed to bring good luck for money.

Lanterns and statues of white snakes on the approach to the shrine and in the hall of worship; pat them three times to pray for good fortune.
Lanterns and statues of white snakes on the approach to the shrine and in the hall of worship; pat them three times to pray for good fortune.

The white snake is believed to be the messenger of Benzaiten, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, and is said to bring good luck in money matters. Many visitors come to pray for winning the lottery, and many thank-you letters are posted in the hall of worship from people who have won money or won the lottery. There are also amulets containing the shells of white snakes, so if you want to be blessed with a good luck charm, you should definitely visit the shrine.
After receiving the blessing of money, you will be able to feel the pleasant power of Aso's abundant nature surrounding the shrine.

Akamizu Hebiishi Shrine
  • Address 1815 Akamizu, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 18 minutes walk from JR Akamizu Station.
  • Bus Direction Take the express bus "Yamabiko-go" from Aso Kumamoto Airport, and get off at "Akamizu Ekimae" bus stop. 18 min. walk from the bus stop.
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Memo Alternative bus service is available between JR Higo Otsu Station and Aso Station (as of April 2020).

Surrounded by giant cedar trees, you can feel the power of nature.

The hall of worship was built in 1672 by Tsunatoshi Tsunatoshi, the fifth head of the Hosokawa family.
The hall of worship was built in 1672 by Tsunatoshi Tsunatoshi, the fifth head of the Hosokawa family.

With a history of over 2,000 years, it is one of the oldest shrines in Kumamoto Prefecture. It is located to the north of Aso Shrine, which is dedicated to Takeiwatatsunomikoto, the founder of the Aso settlement, and is called "Kitamiya" by the locals.
The shrine enshrines Hayamikatama no Mikoto, the son of Takeiwatatsunomikoto, who is said to have initiated agriculture in Aso, and three other deities, and many agricultural festivals are held here. Surrounded by giant cedar trees, a stream flows through the approach to the shrine, and a 300-year-old worship hall sits within the temple grounds. The shrine also has a shrine dedicated to a rare catfish, which is worshipped as a god of agriculture and good harvest.

Impressed by the overwhelming presence of the trunk of a giant cedar

Teno-no-Osugi
Teno-no-Osugi" cedar, which is said to have once stood 47 meters tall.

When you go down from the hall of worship to the plaza on the right, you will see a surprisingly large tree trunk enshrined. This is "Teno-no-Osugi," which is said to have been hand-planted by Hayabetsudama-no-mikoto. It is said to be 2,000 years old and used to grow in the temple grounds, but unfortunately it was damaged by a typhoon in 1991. Unfortunately, it was damaged by a typhoon in 1991, and now the trunk and the stump are enshrined respectively. The trunk is about 14 meters in circumference, and its size and presence are breathtaking. The trunk and stump can be touched, so please share the power of nature with others.

Kokuzo Shrine
  • Address2110 Teno, Ichinomiya-cho, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 12 min. by car from JR Miyachi Station
    Approx. 55 min. by car from Aso Kumamoto Airport
  • TEL 0967-22-4077（Aso Shrine)
  • Parking Free of charge

A shrine in the forest with a mysterious atmosphere

The deeper you walk into the forest, the more you feel as if you are being lured into another world.
The deeper you walk into the forest, the more you feel as if you are being lured into another world.

This small, uninhabited shrine is located deep in the Aso area, near the border with Takachiho Town in Miyazaki Prefecture. The long approach to the shrine and its lanterns amidst a deep cedar forest have become a topic of conversation on SNS and other social networking sites for their mysterious scenery. In addition, the shrine became the setting for the manga "To the Hotarubi no Morihe" (Fireflies in the Forest of Fireflies), attracting even more people to visit.
Especially during the lush green season, the moss-covered stone steps, torii gate, and lanterns are surrounded by lush trees and grass, creating a fantastic green world. Why not visit with your camera?

Don't miss the huge rock that is said to bring good luck for success in school and in life.

Standing in the hole, you can feel the wind whistling through, like a natural fan.
Standing in the hole, you can feel the wind whistling through, like a natural fan.

After a 10-minute walk along the approach to the shrine with more than 260 steps, you will come to a hall of worship with a solemn atmosphere. The leaves of the sacred nagi (nagi) tree cannot be easily torn off horizontally, which is said to bring good luck for matchmaking and prosperous business.
After visiting the shrine, climb up behind the hall of worship to "Ugeto-iwa," the sacred body of the shrine. There is a hole 10 meters long and wide in the huge rock, which is said to have been kicked through by an ogre. It is said that the demon kicked through the hole. Since the hole penetrates through the large rock, it symbolizes the ability to overcome any difficulty, and touching the rock is said to bring blessings for success and victory. It is a spot where visitors can experience the power of Aso's magnificent nature with their whole body.

Kamishikimikumanoza Shrine
  • Address 2619 Kamishikimi, Takamori-cho, Aso-gun, Kumamoto MAP
  • Direction Approximately 30 minutes from JR Aso Station by car
    Approx. 45 min. from Aso Kumamoto Airport by car
  • Bus Direction From Aso Kumamoto Airport, take the rapid bus. At the Takamori-chuo bus stop, transfer to the Takamori Town Bus (Shikimi Loop Line), and get off at the Nakahara Kominkan bus stop. 2 minutes walk from the Nakahara Kominkan bus stop.
  • TEL 0967-62-1111 (Takamorimachi Policy Promotion Division Commerce, Industry and Tourism Section)
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Memo Alternative bus service is available between JR Higo Otsu Station and Aso Station (as of April 2020).

After enjoying sightseeing, spend a relaxing time surrounded by nature at a hot spring inn in Aso Kujyu National Park.

Immerse yourself in the nature created by the caldera.

Guest rooms are detached with Outdoor hot spring. Feel at one with nature.
Guest rooms are detached with Outdoor hot spring. Feel at one with nature.

Approximately 70 minutes by car from Aso Kumamoto Airport. Located in Aso Kujyu National Park at an elevation of 1,000 meters, this hot spring ryokan is a mere 12 detached buildings with outdoor hot springs scattered over an area of 8,000 tsubo. Aso Caldera is one of the largest calderas in the world. Guest rooms are decorated with natural materials nurtured by the caldera, such as tea utensils made of lava rock and tables made of Oguni cedar (Oguni cedar). The luxurious bathing while listening to the chirping of birds, the Japanese-style KAI Local Flavors that allows you to taste the bounty of Kyushu's land, and the Experience program that introduces you to the charms of the caldera will allow you to spend a moment of relaxation surrounded by Aso's great nature.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Aso
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.