Aso City
| The Good | The Not-So Good |
| Amazing countryside | Poor transport links |
| Inside an active volcano? | Limited English support |
Aso is famous in Japan for being a city located in one of the largest and still active volcanic calderas in the world. As a caldera with a stable floor, the city sits north of Mount Aso, with the southern section of the caldera compromising the villages of South Aso (pop: 7000) and Takamori (pop:10,000. They are called villages however Aso City itself only has around 30,000 inhabitants, so the entire area is quite the example of “Japanese countryside”, with few people and lots of wide open farmland and mountains. Aso City itself is surrounded by the caldera edge, which offers spectacular views over the city to the volcano on the other side, the best spot being Daikanbo. Most roads leading out over the caldera edge have places to park to view the caldera.
Here are a few places to admire the view without the crowds. Here, here, here, here… basically anywhere on this map with the ∴ sign. You will need a car however as buses won’t be dropping you off at random locations on the road.
Tsuetate Hot Spring Town
Daikanbou – 360 views from the Aso Caldera
PositivesNegativesAmazing views of Mount AsoVery busy when good weatherFree to access (parking free also)Access by car only (realistically)Tandem paragliding!Monkey show (cruel?) Mount Aso is at the center of a huge volcanic caldera, the history you can read here. On clear days, Mount Aso is best seen from a viewing platform…
Bungo-Kaido
During the Edo period (1603-1868) roadways were built throughout Japan to enable passage of large processions traveling from the provinces to the historical capital of Edo (now Tokyo). Some of the original roads remain, such as part of the Bungo-Kaido from Kumamoto to Oita, which traverses the Aso Caldera’s edge….
Aso Cuddly Dominion
Formally Aso Bear Park, the rebranded “Cuddly Dominion” is full of various experiences with cute animals and the starting point for the popular Helicopter ride over Mount Aso.When JapanTweet The GoodThe Not-So GoodCute animalsCages animalsHelicopter rideMainly for kids Aso is famous for it’s bear park however the facility has expanded…
