2025 Aso District Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in April)

Traveling to Japan Most people tend to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, Hokkaido But this time I chose Kyushu, Japan Kumamoto & Kagoshima This place is the setting for many animes Rustic countryside, I predict it will be popular this year - My 5-day, 4-night itinerary DAY1: Shanghai-Fukuoka-Take the Shinkansen to Kumamoto DAY2: Kumamoto Castle-A-train-Maejima Tour Day3: Minami Aso Railway Sightseeing Train-Kusasenri-Aso Nakadake Crater-Irozu View Kumano Shrine-Aso Shrine Day4: Sakurajima-Ikeda Lake-Ibusuki Tamatebako Train-Shiroyama Park Day5: Sengan-en-Tsurumaru Castle Ruins Reimei Pavilion-Shinkansen to Fukuoka-Shanghai - 📷【About the Check-in Spots】 1️⃣Kumamoto City Kumamoto Castle Kumamon is everywhere here, Kumamon Park, Kumamoto Station, Maejima are all Kumamon elements, Kumamoto Castle and the retro tram are iconic elements. - 2️⃣A train A jazz-style scenic train with sea views, from JR Kumamoto Station to JR Misumi Station, you can drink Highball while enjoying the sea view. - 3️⃣Minami Aso Railway Sightseeing Train Minami Aso Railway (track train) The same model as the One Piece 【Sunny Train】, the route is full of small forest scenery. - 4️⃣Irozu View Kumano Shrine The filming location of 'Hotarubi no Mori e', covered with moss, it's even more of a green wonderland in summer. - 5️⃣Kusasenri - Aso Nakadake Crater In summer, it's a green grassland, in February and March it's the season of 🔥grass, so it's black, but it has its own charm. - 6️⃣Sakurajima You take a boat from Kagoshima, a beautiful volcanic island with crystal blue waters, where you can soak in a hot spring while facing the sea view. - 7️⃣Ibusuki Tamatebako Train Ibusuki Station Retro train cars, viewing Sakurajima volcano and sea views, very healing - 8️⃣Ikeda Lake A beautiful lake, full of flowers in spring, where you can soak in hot springs♨️. - 9️⃣Shiroyama Park An excellent viewing platform in Kagoshima, right in the city center, overlooking the city and Sakurajima volcano. - 1️⃣0️⃣Sengan-en A direct cultural heritage, the villa and garden of the Satsuma Domain's lord Shimazu family, one of the more famous gardens in Kyushu. -

The journey from Tateno Station to Takamori along the Minami-Aso Railway is an unforgettable experience. This scenic route is filled with rural charm and immerses travelers in the unique natural landscape of Mount Aso. Rail Journey: From Tateno to Takamori Shortly after departing Tateno Station, the train enters a rare "switchback" track system in Japan. Due to the steep terrain, the train must repeatedly move forward and backward to gain elevation. This unique operating method is not only beloved by railway enthusiasts but also offers a special experience for regular tourists. As the journey continues, the scenery gradually opens up, revealing the rolling peaks of the Aso Five Mountains in the distance and verdant fields and villages nearby. Spring brings cherry blossoms along the route; summer sees rice paddies gleaming in the sunlight; autumn paints the rice fields in golden hues; and winter adds a serene beauty with snow-covered landscapes. The atmosphere in the train is relaxed as passengers leisurely enjoy the passing scenery, occasionally listening to railway staff share interesting facts about local attractions. The train stops at several small stations, including Choyo and Aso-Shirakawa, which are charming stops surrounded by hot springs and small shops that exude rural character. After about 30 minutes, the train arrives at its final destination, Takamori Station. Recommended Activities in Takamori Though small, Takamori town is full of charm and perfect for leisurely exploration. 1. Takamori Yukan Onsen After the journey, soaking in a hot spring is the perfect way to relax. Takamori Yukan is a famous local hot spring facility known for its natural springs and open-air baths offering beautiful views of Aso. 2. Takamori Yumae Shrine This historic shrine nestled in the forest offers a tranquil environment perfect for peaceful worship. The "Tunnel Stone" beside the shrine is a notable feature - legend says crawling through it brings good luck. 3. Takamori Tunnel Park Originally planned as a railway tunnel but abandoned due to groundwater issues, it's now a unique attraction. It's refreshingly cool in summer, and light installations create a magical atmosphere throughout the tunnel. 4. Minami-Aso Observatory For nature lovers, the elevated observatory offers spectacular views of the entire Aso volcanic caldera - perfect for photography. 5. Local Cuisine Takamori offers many authentic dishes, including Aso wagyu beef, Akaushi beef bowl, and locally made tofu using spring water. The cafes and traditional Japanese sweet shops near the station are also worth trying. Conclusion The rail journey from Tateno to Takamori offers both a unique switchback track experience and stunning views of Aso's natural beauty. Upon reaching Takamori, visitors can leisurely enjoy hot springs, visit shrines, explore the tunnel park, or savor local cuisine. This journey is perfect for those who prefer slow-paced travel, allowing them to experience the tranquility and charm of Minami-Aso.

The first to third photos are of Kawazu cherry blossoms at Mount Aso, located at Minami Aso Sakura Park. The fourth to sixth photos are of cherry blossoms at the foot of Kumamoto Castle, located at Sakura no Baba Josaien. Unfortunately, the cherry blossoms at Kikuchi Park have not yet bloomed. Hopefully, they will bloom by the end of the month. All three locations offer free admission. However, parking at Kumamoto Castle is quite full, making it difficult to find a spot. I stayed at the nearby Nest Hotel, which is about a 15-minute walk away. There are also large shopping malls nearby, making dining very convenient.

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 The Minami Aso Railway in Kumamoto Prefecture is 17.7 kilometers long and was opened in 1985. The railway was built along the beautiful Aso Mountains, and the scenery along the way seems like a paradise. Unexpectedly, a large-scale earthquake occurred in Kumamoto in April 2016, causing damage. After the full resumption of operation on July 15, 2023, the Kumamoto-born One Piece author Eiichiro Oda participated in the project and brought the railway version of the Thousand Sunny directly into reality. But please note that not every bus is a special bus, the fares are different and reservations are required. Even if you can't take the Thousand Sunny or Yusuge, the scenery along the way is still very beautiful. Take the Minamiaso Railway from Tateno Station to the final stop, Takamori Station. As soon as you get off the train, you'll see the "Franky Statue", one of the bronze statues for One Piece fans. The newly built Takamori Station is also one of the attractions, with many limited edition souvenirs for sale. The most important place for comic fans is the collection of hand-drawn manuscripts and signatures of cartoonists from all over Japan. It is a must-visit for comic fans.

Family members! Are you still worried about where to go during the holidays? In 8 days, we will take you to an exciting trip to Fukuoka. With the JR pass in hand, you can take the sightseeing train and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. Local attractions Kumamon, hot spring hotel. The Aso Boy train heads to Mount Aso. The mountains are covered with snow and the cold is overwhelming. Standing at the foot of the volcano, the scene before us is shocking. The crater is filled with smoke, which forms a wonderful contrast with the white snow scene. The wonders of nature are amazing. Beppu's hot spring resort. The streets are filled with a faint smell of sulfur, and there are signs of various hot spring resorts everywhere. Walk into a hot spring hotel and soak in the steaming hot spring, and the fatigue of the journey will instantly disappear. Take the sightseeing train Double Star 4047 to appreciate the countryside and enjoy a relaxing time. Yufuin, experience the literary romance and hot spring cuisine of the small town. Finally, we went shopping in Hakata and ate wagyu beef and taiyaki. . . Follow my footsteps and start this fantastic journey to Kyushu together. Let's go! #Japan #Hot Springs #Kyushu #Fukuoka #March Destinations 2025 Local Attractions－

I went on a trip to Kyushu, Japan to welcome autumn! 🍂 Starting from downtown Fukuoka, I went all the way to Dazaifu Tenmangu → Yufuin → Lake Kinrinko → Beppu → Kumamoto → Mt. Aso → Kusasenri → Itoshima Beach, enjoying the nature and culture of Kyushu. First journey – Dazaifu Tenmangu ⛩️ I headed straight from Fukuoka to Dazaifu Tenmangu! This place, which enshrines the god of learning, is always crowded with people, but in autumn, the maple leaves turned red and it was really pretty. I bought an umegae mochi at the entrance of the shrine and walked slowly. The taste of the crispy outside and sweet red bean paste... It was special because this was the main branch. Hot spring town, Yufuin ♨️ I took a bus from Dazaifu to Yufuin! 🚍 Even though it is a small town, there are many pretty cafes and cute shops, so it was fun to walk around. And above all, Lake Kinrinko! Steam rises slightly from the clear lake, and it looks like a painting with the autumn scenery. Beppu - The city of hot springs! 🛁 We moved from Yufuin to Beppu and fully enjoyed the city of hot springs! We went on the Jigoku Meguri tour and saw various hot springs, but the cobalt blue **Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell)** was especially impressive. 💙 In the evening, we relieved our fatigue in an open-air bath full of sulfur scent and healed ourselves! Kumamoto & Mt. Aso 🌋 The next day, we went to Kumamoto, toured Kumamoto Castle, and then headed to Mt. Aso! It was a place where you could really feel Kyushu's great nature, and the rough yet magnificent scenery unique to active volcanoes was amazing. And the grassland area of ​​Kusasenri was really peaceful and beautiful. The feeling of walking through a wide field while feeling the autumn breeze was the best! Last Journey - Itoshima Beach 🌊 The last stop of the trip was Itoshima near Fukuoka! The quiet and secluded beach was really impressive. In particular, the white sand, blue sea, and seaside cafes were so pretty. As I looked back on the trip while having a cup of coffee here, I could once again realize how beautiful Kyushu's nature is. Ending the trip 🚅 Kyushu was a place with really beautiful natural scenery and an impressive quiet and peaceful atmosphere. 🍁 A trip where I could experience perfect healing in the midst of autumn foliage, hot springs, and great nature! It was a place I would love to come back to again 💕 ✔️ Highly recommended as a fall travel destination! ✔️ A place where you can enjoy nature, hot springs, and delicious food!

I went on a trip to Kumamoto to see the bronze statues of One Piece! The statues were erected as part of the reconstruction efforts at various tourist spots, near souvenir shops, and inside the Kumamoto Earthquake Museum, so I was able to visit spots I had never been to before! Near the Kumamoto Earthquake Museum, where Robin's statue is, is the "former Tokai University Aso Campus." After the glass broke, the building was still leaning and cracked, giving a renewed sense of the horror of the earthquake. My trip to Kumamoto was a really good one. I'll be going to see the One Piece statues soon, which I haven't been to yet!

Driving all the way from Yufuin to Aso Volcano🌋 The journey was about 2 hours, and I wanted to give up this trip. Fortunately, only by persisting can you enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way Any photo can be used as a wallpaper This trip is worth it #Fukuoka #Kusasenri #Aso Volcano

Tsuetate Onsen, located in Oguni-machi, Aso-gun, is a historic hot spring town with hot spring inns and foot baths lined up along the river♨️ The scenery of rising steam creates a nostalgic atmosphere✨ In addition to the hot springs, you can also enjoy "steamed dishes" using the steam! It is also recommended to enjoy local gourmet food while strolling through the hot spring town🍽️ [Opening hours] Varies by inn and hot spring facility [Access] Approximately 50 minutes by car from JR Aso Station [Notes] You can also enjoy foot baths and steamed dishes #0 yen trip February 2025 #Tetsuetate Onsen #Kumamoto sightseeing #Hot spring town #Steam #Steamed dishes

There are many routes for sightseeing railways in Kyushu Minami Aso Railway from Takamori Station to Tateno Station Just check the time to get on the train, draw a ticket, and pay cash when you get off (one-way ¥490) No need to buy tickets online in advance, very convenient One Piece carriage was designed by cartoonist Eiichiro Oda to participate in the earthquake relief project The painted sightseeing train with the theme of One Piece comics The entire carriage is full of rich One Piece comics details There are also staff dressed up in various styles and waving at each station along the way It is recommended to take a train to experience the rural beauty of Aso #2月好去地方2025

📍Sanso Hanayu, the bathhouse in the sky This inn offers the best service of drinking sake and ramune in the bath. The meals at the inn are made with the finest meat and vegetables from Kumamoto✨ This is an inn that we highly recommend for couples and families✨ 【INFORMATION】 Sanso Hanayu, the bathhouse in the sky 📮1511 Kitazato, Oguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture, 869-2505 #Free hotel stay

Location: Kusasenri Observatory, Mount Aso, Kumamoto, Japan Highlights: Stunning volcanic views, everything covered in volcanic ash. You can smell volcanic gases in the air. An amazing experience! The scenery is so beautiful that it cannot be compared to anywhere else in Japan. Highly recommended if you visit Japan and have enough time to visit here, especially if you have the chance to see other places in Japan. Coordinates: 1662-9 Nagakusa, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2231, Japan

📍Kurokawa Jizo-son Jizo-son in the center of Kurokawa Onsen. A headless Jizo is enshrined here! When you enter the main hall and look up at the ceiling, you'll see a cute painting, so be sure to check it out! 【INFORMATION】 Kurokawa Jizo-son 📮6612-2 Manganji, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture, 869-2402 🕑Open 24 hours #0 yen trip November

In July 2023, Minamiaso Railway launched the "Thousand Sunny" train themed on One Piece "ONE PIECE". The design of this train is inspired by the Straw Hat Pirates' ship "Thousand Sunny". The interior and exterior decorations are full of elements from One Piece, allowing fans to feel the pirate atmosphere during the journey. The themed train has Luffy and other characters printed on its exterior, while the interior uses wooden boxes and barrels to create a pirate ship feel. There are also many "ONE PIECE" decorations, such as Luffy's straw hat lamp, pictures from the comics, and barrel decorations. In addition to taking the train, there are also several One Piece-themed check-in spots along the Minami Aso Railway where passengers can take photos. #train

Mount Aso⛰️ One of the world's largest active volcanoes, located in Kumamoto, Japan. Its vast caldera and steaming Nakadake crater create a dramatic, otherworldly landscape, perfect for exploration and witnessing nature's raw power. You can try riding horse here! Location📍 32.8985064, 131.0874754 How to Go🚅 From Kumamoto Station, take JR Hohi Line to Aso Station. Then, take a bus to Aso Sanjyo Terminal Stop (To visit the volcano and take a carter) or to Kisasenri Volcano Museum (To see grassland, ride a horse, and museum) **Aso Boy! Train is available only weekend and holidays. Have to check on the website.** Price💴 Bus: 1-Day Pass Adult JPY 1,500 Children JPY 750 Carter: Adult JPY 600 Children JPY 300 (One Way) P.S. If you have a JR pass, the train ticket is included. (Including Aso Boy!) I recommend to book your seat in advance. #outdooradventures #aso #mountainview #mountain #kumamoto #kyushu #japan #asia #trip #travel #asiatrip #japantrip #japantravel

#0yentravel I went to Bonjour Provence in Aso. The atmosphere of the restaurant is so wonderful, it feels like I've entered the world of Ghibli. The food was beautiful and delicious, and it was a very satisfying lunch. It was a wonderful restaurant that made me feel like I was really in the French countryside.

Kusasenri Observatory #Travelwithme Address: 1662-9 Nagakusa, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture, 869-2231 I went to Kusasenri Observatory in Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture! It's a really wide grassland The air is also very good! I went to Kusasenri Observatory on a weekday, but it's really crowded on weekends and holidays so there's a possibility of traffic jams! But it's a recommended spot to visit when you visit Kumamoto. There are horses, so you can experience horseback riding. At the rest area, there's the popular Kusasenri Cafe and Kumamoto's famous red beef bowl! Please go and check it out!

On weekends, even if you go at opening time, there is a wait, but I was able to easily get in to Rakudayama on a Thursday. I ordered the charcoal-grilled parent chicken set meal and the charcoal-grilled branded chicken set meal. The set meal came with grilled chicken, awa-meshi (rice with green onions), miso soup, egg, vegetables, and pickles. The parent chicken meat was firm when I put it in my mouth, so I could enjoy the texture as I chewed it. I preferred the softness of the branded chicken. The fresh ginger special sauce was quite strong-flavored, and I ate it with awa-meshi (rice with green onions) or with vegetables. I used the half cabbage for the grilled vegetables raw, wrapped it around the lettuce that you eat with samgyeopsal, and the flavors were well-balanced. I recommend the fresh eggs on rice, of course, but apparently fried eggs were also good. Some of the people there were brave enough to come alone, but everyone was glued to the charcoal fire and meat in front of them, because it was delicious and fun, I thought. The atmosphere of the mountain hut-style restaurant made me feel like I was visiting someone's home. #TravelingWithMe

"Kusa Senri Coffee Roastery" 2391-15 Nagakusa, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture 10:00-18:00 Irregular holidays I've been wanting to go to this place for a long time Finally!! ️ ︎︎︎︎☑︎Charcoal latte 600 yen ︎︎︎︎☑︎Yame latte 600 yen My son and I got charcoal lattes🖤 My daughter got Yame tea latte💚 I just love the interior and exterior of the store!! ️ I love the inorganic feel of concrete 🤤 The latte was absolutely delicious ✨ The latte art was beautiful too ☺️ To get here, you have to pay 500 yen for the parking lot at Kusasenri, but it was really nice and I was very satisfied 🥺✨ Thank you for the meal ✨ #Mt.Aso #MatchaLatte #KumamotoCafe #AsoCafe #Kusasenri #KumamotoTrip #FamilyTrip #SpringBreak #FukuokaCafe #Sakura2024

Tsuetate Onsen Koi-nobori Festival. It feels like Japan - the first sentence I said when I got off the car and saw the Tsuetate Onsen Koi-nobori flags, as if reliving the animations I watched as a child once again. Unknowingly, it's the 44th year, and the nearby villagers pray for the children's healthy growth. Every year from April 1st to May 6th, over 3000 Koi-nobori flags float leisurely above the Tsuetate River, dancing with the steam of the hot spring town. The area is full of vibrant colors, and with a telephoto lens, it's even easier to capture the stunning atmosphere. It's definitely a spot worth visiting at least once!

❤ In Aso County, Kumamoto Prefecture, there are many farms and ranches where you can enjoy the fun of picking and have close contact with animals, tasting the deliciousness grown from the waters of the Aso region. 🌟 Aso Healthy Farm is located in the beautifully natural environment of Minamiaso Village. The farm employs the world's most advanced planting techniques to cultivate vegetables and fruits, using the underground water resources of the Aso region for irrigation, producing vegetables and fruits rich in minerals. Moreover, the effect of taking photos inside the greenhouse is very good, and every day couples come to take sweet strawberry photos. 👍 Inside the strawberry planting greenhouse of the Healthy Farm, there is an area of nearly 8,200 square meters, adopting a multi-layered and multi-pot planting method to cultivate a variety of strawberries. From December each year to May of the following year, over 50 varieties of the more than 300 types of strawberries in Japan come to market. Here, you only need to pay once to enjoy unlimited tasting of three varieties: Saga Honoka, Yubeni, and Koi Minori, in the picking greenhouse. 📍Location: 5542-1 Kawayo, Minamiaso Village, Aso County, Kumamoto Prefecture. 🚉Transportation: Take the JR Hohi Main Line from Kumamoto Station and get off at 'Akamizu' station. It's about a 10-minute taxi ride from there. 💰Cost: Adults 2000 yen, elementary school students 1600 yen, 3 to 5 years old 1200 yen, toddlers free. 🕙Opening hours: 9 AM to 4 PM.

Wakaba in Kurokawa Onsen Village, which I visited in 2023, is a place that I will remember for a long time. If I have time in 2024, I definitely want to visit and heal there. The reason I recommend this place for this wish event is because it is a cost-effective ryokan. Compared to other ryokans, it is a ryokan where you can eat good food at a reasonable price and spend time with your loved ones in a quiet bath. #2024WishEvent

#Ho-kang-su #Ryokan #Ho-zantei #Omakase #Kaiseki Ho-zantei, a quiet hot spring ryokan in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, was a very memorable ho-kang-su in my life. It is a traditional single-story ryokan with an open-air bath and an outdoor hot spring in each room. Dinner and breakfast were served with an impressive composition. I went to the open-air bath whenever I had time and soaked my body. It is a place where you can forget all the worries of the world. It costs a lot, but giving yourself this rare gift in life is also a shortcut to living happily. That is why I go on a ho-kang-su.

We stayed here to celebrate my parents' 60th birthday. As it is a high-class inn, we were satisfied with the staff's service, the room, and the food. There is an open-air bath inside, so you can enjoy the hot spring water directly from the source whenever you like. Recommended for celebrations and special occasions. #Hotsprings #KumamotoTrip #KumamotoPrefecture

On the platform, you will not miss this eager Aso Boy No. 101 from Kumamoto to Aso, because this car is a cartoon image of the Asu Station Chief Black Dog KURO from inside to outside. There is a special family car on the Aso Boys 101, which is reserved for families with children. The details are designed to make adults love it. At one end of the family compartment, there are childrens play facilities and a small childrens library. There is a viewing car at each end of the train. The ride medal is also the image of the puppy KURO, and the limited souvenirs sold on the car are equally addictive.