🏔️ Aso Day Tour | Sunrise, Volcano Flight, Horseback Riding, Soul-Stirring Classic Itinerary
#Aso Volcano #Aso Volcano National Park #Aso Volcano Museum #Aso Crater #Aso Helicopter Experience #Daikan Peak #Aso Horseback Riding Experience #Aso Chilisakusa
From Daikan Peak, watch the sunrise and the sea of clouds, hover over the volcano, and then ride on the grassland for an hour. This is an adventure that runs through the sky and the earth, condensing all the magnificence and wildness of Aso.
🌄 1|Sunrise at Daikan Peak (arrive at 05:00)
Climb up to the observatory in the early morning and wait for the sky to appear. The golden dawn shines on the entire basin. If you encounter a sea of clouds, the picture is extremely shocking, as if the sky and the earth are connected. The sunrise in summer is about 05:15, and it is recommended to arrive at the scene from 04:45-05:00 to wait.
Location: Daikanbo Observatory
Gear recommendations: warm jacket, windproof clothing, hot drinks, camera tripod
🚁 2|Kusa Senri helicopter experience (cannot be booked in advance. Queuing starts at about 09:30, and there is a high probability that there will be no seats for the last helicopter at around 5 pm after 12 o'clock)
There are two operating locations.
The "Mt. Aso" helicopter airport is the best place to take the helicopter. Both routes cover the view of the crater, but the "Mt. Aso" ¥8000 plan includes the crater, and you can overlook the crater and the smoke-spouting landscape from the air.
Flight time: 4-7 minutes
Price: About ¥8,000 -12,000
During the ground blockade of the crater (7/4–7/25), the helicopter flight and view will not be affected
Queueing suggestion: Arrive at the site before 09:30 to queue (no reservations accepted)
❤️Special issue: The crater is fully open on 7/26
💜Note that only three people can make a trip. If there is only one person, you need to share a flight with two other people. If there are only two people, you need to pay for three people first, unless there is a reservation for one person before, but if there is a reservation for one person later and you share a flight, the counter will refund you one person's money.
💙If you have to wait a long time for the helicopter ride, you can check out the Aso Mountain Bus Terminal, which is the only way to the crater. It costs ¥1,000 to drive up, or you can park for free and walk or buy a ticket to take a bus. If the crater is not open, you can also visit the shrine next to it to pray.
💚If it really takes a long time to get on the bus, there are many places to explore in downtown Aso, such as the Aso Museum.
🥩 3|Akagyu Don lunch (arrived at 11:30)
The most popular local dish "Akagyu Don" uses grilled red beef with hot spring eggs. It has a tender and smooth taste and is an energy supply station during the trip. There are many people during lunch time, so it is recommended to avoid peak hours.
Recommended restaurants: Imakin Shokudo, Aso no Tsukasa Main Store
Meal cost: about ¥1,500
🐴 4|Horseback riding experience (book online at least one week in advance)
It is not a circular sightseeing equestrianism, but a deep trail through the hills and grasslands. You can overlook the outer rim mountain along the way and immerse yourself in the magnificent land of Aso. Accompanied by a coach throughout the journey, it is suitable for those with no riding experience. If you like, you can also take a jog!
Experience length: about 1 hour (about ¥14,000), there are also 15-minute and 30-minute trips. If you take a package tour by bus, they usually only give five minutes to circle around, or fifteen minutes to travel.
Recommended ranches: Yume Daichi Ranch, Elpatio Ranch, etc.
Equipment: Helmets and riding boots are provided on site, and long pants and lace-up shoes are recommended
Online reservations must be made in advance, and may not be arranged immediately on site
🕰️ Business hours: usually 10:00-17:00
♨️ Flexible activities (optional)
You can arrange to rest at the ranch, soak in Uchinomaki Onsen, or return to Kumamoto/Beppu to continue the journey.
⏱ Overview of the one-day itinerary (self-driving recommended)
04:30 Departure to Daikanbo
05:00 Watch the sunrise and sea of clouds
07:00 Head to Kusasenri (you can buy breakfast at FamilyMart; Aso Uchinomaki on the way)
08:30 Arrive at the helicopter airport and prepare (the scene is also beautiful and can be photographed)
09:30 Start queuing
11:30 Lunch time
13:00 Horseback riding experience
14:30 Free time/return
💰 Estimated cost (per person)
Helicopter: about ¥8,000~12,000
Horseback riding experience: one-hour trip about ¥13200-¥16000
Lunch: about ¥1,500
Fuel and sundries: about ¥2,000
The sky, volcanoes and grasslands, all conquered in one day. The charm of Aso, which soars from the soles of your feet and burns from the bottom of your eyes, is the most classic and complete in-depth itinerary experience in Kyushu.