The Mount Aso area is located in the heart of Kyushu, Japan and is one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world. The caldera is so large that it’s home to thousands of people, even though there’s an active volcano right in the middle of it.
Calling the area “Mount Aso” is somewhat misleading since there is no single Mount Aso. Rather, Mount Aso refers to the entire volcanic caldera, which has many mountainous peaks inside of it.
The central crater group, featuring the still-active Nakadake, encompasses the renowned five peaks of Aso. These five peaks are Nakadake, Takadake, Eboshidake, Kijimadake, and Nekodake.
In this article, I’ll share our 6 favorite things we did when we visited the Mount Aso area in Kyushu, Japan.
Things to Do in Mount Aso, Kyushu
Nakadake Crater
Nakadake is the only active volcano in the Mount Aso area, and no trip there would be complete without visiting it.
The Nakadake Crater Observation area offers a unique experience of being up close to the raw power of this active volcano.
When we visited Nakadake Crater in October the volcano was actively steaming as clouds billowed out of the crater.
One important thing to remember when visiting Nakadake is that sulfur spews out of the volcano. When we entered the area, the park rangers at the gate asked us if we had any respiratory issues since the sulfur clouds from the crater can cause irritation. It’s not uncommon for the entire area to completely shut down when volcanic activity from Nakadake reaches unsafe levels.
At the observation area, you’ll notice several small concrete refuge shelters. These shelters provide a place for visitors to hide in if the volcano’s activity suddenly escalates. Luckily, we didn’t need to use the shelters, but it was a reminder of the unpredictable nature of an active volcano.
We also did a short hike through the area from the visitor center, but there are tons of hikes around the area, so you can easily spend a couple of days there walking around the entire volcano.
NAKADAKE INFO:
- Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 (December 1st – March 19th), 5:00 (November 1st to November 30th), or 5:30 PM (March 20th to October 31)
- Cost: Entry fee required – ¥800 per vehicle
- Location: 📍 Nakadake Crater – Google Maps
Check the Aso Volcano Disaster Prevention Council website for up-to-date information on volcanic warnings at Nakadake Crater.
Komezuka Crater
Japan is just the place you’d expect to find a cute volcano.
Komezuka is a volcanic cone located right on the side of Highway 298. It has a nearly perfect round shape, which makes it quite attractive for photos.
In the summer and early autumn, Komezuka and its surroundings are draped in a lush blanket of green grass.
While Komezuka was once accessible for hiking, cracking around its rim prompted Japanese authorities to put fences around it to deter hikers.
Despite these restrictions, Komezuka has lost none of its beauty. It can be perfectly enjoyed from its roadside photo spot, or from Kusasenri Observatory, where the view remains unobstructed.
KOMEZUKA INFO
- Hours: Open 24 Hours
- Cost: Free
- Location: 📍 Komezuka – Google Maps
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine
The Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine is located within the cypress forests on the slopes of Mount Aso. The shrine’s stepped pathway is lined with over a hundred moss-covered stone lanterns that leads to one of Japan’s most mystical shrines.
The best time to visit the shrine is from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. The dense tree canopy around the shrine tends to obscure sunlight during the early morning and late afternoon, making the middle of the day the best opportunity to see the shrine in full light.
On clear days, the shrine becomes even more magical. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting rays over the walkway. We captured the light as it filtered through the canopy and illuminated the stone lanterns and steps.
Behind the shrine lies a trail that goes up the hill to a natural rock archway known as Ugetoiwa. This rock arch has a legend about a demon escaping from the rock.
Read our full blog post: Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine – The Complete Guide
Daikanbo Lookout
Daikanbo Lookout was the first place we visited in Mt Aso during our 6-day camper van journey around Kyushu. We arrived at Daikanbo Lookout around 3 pm and initially intended only to stay there for a short period, as is typical with most lookouts. However, we soon discovered that Daikanbo had much more to offer.
The lookout is crisscrossed with little trails through the grass and around the area, making it easy to lose track of time exploring the area. What we initially planned as a quick visit turned into a 2-hour exploration.
As the sun began to set, the lookout transformed. The evening sunlight casts a magical glow over the Mount Aso caldera. The view from the lookout was a highlight of our visit to Kyushu.
It’s a perfect first stop for your visit to Mount Aso to soak in the landscapes of the entire caldera.
Read our full blog post: Daikanbo Lookout – The Best Viewpoint in Mount Aso
Kurohara Observation Deck
One of the best views we found near Mount Aso wasn’t actually in the caldera, it was just outside of it.
Tons of little roads go all over the countryside in Kyushu and we happened upon this spot one evening where we pulled over and caught an amazing sunset from our camper van. The spot is called Kurohara Observation Deck.
We were the only ones there and not a single car passed by the entire time. Despite how crowded it is in Japan’s cities, things change quickly when you get out to the countryside.
Takachiho Gorge
Takachiho Gorge is a narrow canyon containing one of Japan’s most famous waterfalls. While it’s not located directly in Mount Aso, it’s located near enough that it can be included in your Mount Aso itinerary.
The area was formed 90,000 years ago by lava flows from Mount Aso, and cooled rapidly to create long, vertical hexagonal columns of basalt. Then the Gokase River came through and carved out the gorge, creating the landscape there today.
We visited Takachiho Gorge on our last day in Kyushu, and I will admit that we should have planned better.
The thing to do at Takachiho is rent a boat and paddle through the gorge, but those boats need to be reserved 2 weeks ahead of time, so we couldn’t do that activity. I’ll leave the link for boat rentals below so you can try to snag one for your trip there.
How to get around Mount Aso
The best way to explore the Mount Aso area is by renting a car. It’s a rural region with limited public transport, and while buses do exist, they don’t run frequently and aren’t convenient for reaching the best spots. Its possible to catch the bus, but it will be inefficient use of your time to be waiting around for infrequent bus routes.
We got around by renting a camper van, which doubled as both our transportation and our accommodation. That said, camper vans aren’t for everyone. If you’d rather sleep in a real bed, you can check out places to stay on Booking.com and plan your adventure from there.
Are you following our Japan blog series?
We spent over 2 months all over Japan to find its most stunning waterfalls, hikes, shrines, and temples. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- 14 Awesome Things to Do in Takayama: The Complete Guide
- 18 Incredible Things to Do in Nikko: Complete Travel Guide
- Our Ultimate Guide to Van Life in Japan
- Japan’s Vending Machine Park Paradise: Used Tire Mart Sagamihara Store
- Tokyo Bicycle Food Tour: A Self-Guided Journey for Foodie Cyclists
I hope you enjoyed our guide to things to do in Mount Aso, Kyushu. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
