[2025 Aso Stay] Travel Guide for Sozankyo (Updated Feb)

We decided to visit Mount Aso on a whim, and choosing a hotel for this trip was quite a hassle. Due to the rushed itinerary, I felt that hotel prices in Mount Aso were generally high, and most rooms had mediocre views. I wonder if this was because I booked too hastily. I finally settled on Aso Resort Grandvrio Hotel. At that time, the cheaper rooms with hot springs were already booked, so I booked a small suite with a hot spring, including breakfast, for a total of JPY 79,000. The hotel has a nice perk: from 4 to 6 pm, guests can go to the lounge on the top floor for drinks. The room has its own restaurant, and every morning, staff will enter the room through another door to set up breakfast. The room is very spacious, especially suitable for families with children. Although the room rate is not low, the overall experience is great. The hot spring in the room is open 24 hours, and the hotel also has an indoor hot spring. Guests only need to call the front desk to make a reservation. Regarding dining, I strongly recommend choosing a package plan that includes dinner. When we went, it happened to be Wednesday, and many restaurants near the hotel were closed. The waiter told us that the restaurant does not require a reservation and we can go directly, but based on actual experience, it is best to call to confirm first to avoid delays in dining. During the food exploration process, I found a few restaurants worth trying. [Specific Restaurant Name 1]'s [Signature Dish 1] is a must-try, with fresh ingredients, unique cooking methods, and a taste that lingers. There's also [Specific Restaurant Name 2]'s [Signature Dish 2], with a delicate texture and rich aroma, sure to satisfy your taste buds. However, there are also some things to avoid on this trip. I bought [Specific Food] from a seemingly good snack stall, but the taste was far from expected, and the price was not cheap. In addition, when taking scenic transportation, be sure to check the operating hours and routes in advance. We wasted a lot of time waiting for the bus because we didn't do our homework. Overall, the trip to Mount Aso had its surprises and regrets. Aso Resort Grandvrio Hotel provided us with a comfortable stay, and there were plenty of delicious foods nearby, but the preparations before the trip should be more detailed to make the journey more perfect. I hope my experiences can provide some reference for friends planning to visit Mount Aso, so everyone can have a pleasant journey.