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HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Aso-Kuju National Park
Sustainable farming and hiking in a volcanic mountain range
Kumamoto Prefecture
Located in the center of Kyushu, this national park is named after Mt. Aso and the Kuju Mountains. Mt. Aso is the most active volcanic crater in the world. The Kujus are a magnificent mountain range straddling Kumamoto and Oita Prefectures, characterized by over 20 active stratovolcanoes and lava domes. All that volcanic activity means the area boasts a large number of onsen hot springs.
Hike through the volcanic landscape, which features wildflowers and grasslands with grazing horses and cows. There are many trails for you to choose from. In Uchinomaki Onsen, walk 30 minutes from Orido-chiku Community Center to Mt. Tango’s viewing platform, where you can see the five peaks of Aso, which resemble a sleeping Buddha, and the outer rim of Mt. Aso’s caldera. Here, you will also find Sorafune Pier, a wooden promenade jutting out from the side of the mountain like a boat jetty, offering spectacular views of the area and its nature.
Around 50,000 people live on the plains of Mt. Aso, one of the world's largest calderas, with a circumference measuring 114 kilometers (71 miles). The expansive grasslands around Aso have been used to raise cows and horses for more than 1,000 years. The grasslands are maintained using traditional techniques, such as controlled burning, grazing, and mowing, resulting in rich soil suitable for agriculture to produce local specialties, including Akaushi (Japanese brown cattle) and Aso-takana, a local leaf mustard which is often pickled. In 2013, Aso was designated as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) in recognition of these sustainable farming practices passed down through the generations. In addition, Aso was also designated as a Top 100 Green Destination in 2021.
After a day of wandering the trails in this region of extraordinary beauty, relax in an onsen hot spring and enjoy a dinner prepared with vegetables from the volcanic soils of Aso-Kuju National Park.
How to get there
By train:
Travel from Hakata Station to Kumamoto Station (about 50 minutes), then take the Aso Express to Aso Station (about 1 hour 10 minutes).
By plane:
Fly from Haneda Airport to Kumamoto Airport (about 1 hour 45 minutes), then take a bus to Aso Station (about 1 hour).
Mt. Aso is 10 to 30 minutes from Aso Station by car or taxi.
Aso Nakadake Crater: Kurokawa, Aso-shi, Kumamoto-ken
Uchinomaki Onsen: Uchinomaki, Aso-shi, Kumamoto-ken
Sorafune-no-Sanbashi: Nishikozono, Aso-shi, Kumamoto-ken
