[Kumamoto Suburbs] Walking is OK! Mt. Aso Bus Tour & Aso Shrine Restaurant Hanabishi's Akagyudon Mukbang 🌋

[Kumamoto Suburbs] Walking is OK! Mt. Aso Bus Tour & Aso Shrine Restaurant "Hanabishi" Akagyudon Mukbang 🌋🥩 Exploring Kumamoto City is great, but if you've come this far, you can't miss Mount Aso, home to an active volcano! We comfortably enjoyed the great outdoors on a day-trip bus tour, even without a rental car. The highlight of today's tour was the Akagyudon at "Hanabishi," a legendary rice bowl we savored on the street in front of Aso Shrine. Let's begin our Aso trip, a feast for both the eyes and the palate! 🚌 1. Departing from Sakuramachi Terminal & Into the Great Outdoors 🚌 [Departing at 8:00 AM] We boarded the tour bus early in the morning at Sakuramachi Bus Terminal. The best part about a bus tour is that you can just sit back and enjoy the scenery without having to drive! [09:10~09:25 Kusasenri & Aso Crater] The view of 'Komezuka' and 'Kusasenri' from the bus window was truly picturesque. 🌿 Finally, we arrived at Aso Sanjo (Crater)! Seeing the crater, still spewing smoke, was truly awe-inspiring. We strolled around for about 60 minutes, taking photos and breathing in the fresh air. 2. Today's Highlight! Aso Shrine Restaurant 'Hanabishi' 🥩 [10:55 Arrive at Aso Shrine & Monzenmachi] After exploring the crater, we headed down to Aso Shrine and the shopping street in front of it, 'Monzenmachi.' The real reason we came here was lunch! During our 70 minutes of free time, we headed straight to 'Aso Hanabishi,' a restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide. I ordered two of their signature dishes, and they look stunning from the outside. ✨ 🐮 Akagyudon (Red Beef Rice Bowl): This rice bowl features Akagyu beef raised in the Aso region, lightly seared on the outside and arranged like a flower on top of rice. The meat is not tough at all and melts in your mouth. Top it with a little wasabi for an explosion of flavor! 🍖 Gyukatsudon (Beef Katsu Rice Bowl): Tender beef is hidden within the crispy batter. Each bite reveals a burst of juice, and the sauce combines to create a delicious bowl of rice that's sure to satisfy. 💡 Tip: This place is incredibly popular, so I recommend heading straight to the restaurant as soon as you get off the tour bus! Expect a wait. While you're waiting, be sure to try the dango and cream puffs! 3. Dessert Time! Aso Milk Factory 🥛 [12:20 Aso Milk Factory] After filling our bellies, our last stop was the Aso Milk Factory. This place sells cheese, yogurt, and sweets made with fresh Aso milk. The building itself is beautiful and there's plenty to see. Shopping: It's a perfect place to pick up a cheese tart or baumkuchen as a souvenir. Snacks: Be sure to try the milk ice cream or yogurt sold here. It has a rich, nutty flavor. It's the perfect dessert! 📝 Trip Summary [Departing from Sakuramachi → Aso Crater → Aso Shrine (Lunch: Hanabishi) → Aso Milk Factory] A packed half-day itinerary, starting early in the morning and returning in the afternoon! The magnificent volcano views were amazing, but the taste of the red beef bowl at Hanabishi will linger in my mind even after I return to Korea. 😋 For those visiting Kumamoto, I highly recommend the Aso Bus Tour! #KumamotoTravel #KumamotoBusTour #MountAso #AsoTravel #AsoShrineRestaurants #Hanabishi #AsoHanabishi #Akagyudon #Gyukatsudon #AsoMilkFactory #JapaneseSmallCityTravel #KyushuTravel #TravelGuide #TravelPlan #OverseasTravel #JapanTravel #TravelItinerary