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

Exploring Kumamoto city is great, but if you're here, you can't miss the active volcano, **'Mount Aso'**! With a convenient day-trip bus tour, you can enjoy the majestic nature without needing a rental car. The highlight of today's tour was the life-changing rice bowl, 'Hanabishi's Aka-Gyu Don,' near Aso Shrine. Here's a delightful travelogue of Aso, where both your eyes and taste buds will be satisfied! 🚌 1. Departure from Sakuramachi Terminal & Into the Great Outdoors 🚌 [08:00 Departure] Early in the morning, I boarded the tour bus at Sakuramachi Bus Terminal. The best part of a bus tour is that you can relax and enjoy the scenery without having to drive yourself! [09:10~09:25 Kusasenri & Aso Crater] As the bus ascended, the views of 'Gomezuka' and 'Kusasenri' outside the window were truly picturesque. 🌿 Finally, we arrived at Aso Sanjo (the crater)! Seeing the still-smoking crater in person was an overwhelming experience of nature's grandeur. I spent about 60 minutes walking around, taking photos, and breathing in the fresh air. 2. Today's Highlight! Aso Shrine's Famous 'Hanabishi' 🥩 [10:55 Arrival at Aso Shrine & Monzenmachi] After exploring the crater, we descended to Aso Shrine and the nearby shopping street, 'Monzenmachi.' The real reason for coming here? Lunch! During the 70 minutes of free time, I headed straight to the Michelin Guide-featured restaurant, 'Aso Hanabishi.' I ordered their two signature dishes, and they were visually stunning. ✨ 🐮 Aka-Gyu Don (Red Beef Rice Bowl): This dish features 'Aka-Gyu' beef, raised in the Aso region, lightly seared and arranged like a flower on top of rice. The beef was incredibly tender and melted in my mouth. Adding a touch of wasabi enhanced the umami flavor! 🍖 Gyu-Katsu Don (Beef Cutlet Rice Bowl): Crispy on the outside, juicy beef on the inside. Each bite released a burst of meat juices, perfectly complemented by the sauce, making it impossible not to finish the entire bowl of rice. 💡 Pro Tip: Since this place is very popular, head straight to the restaurant as soon as you get off the tour bus! There might be a wait. While waiting, don't miss trying the dango and cream puffs! 3. Dessert Time! Aso Milk Factory 🥛 [12:20 Aso Milk Factory] After a hearty meal, the last stop was 'Aso Milk Factory.' This place sells cheese, yogurt, and snacks made from Aso's fresh milk. The building itself is charming, and there's plenty to see. Shopping: Cheese tarts or Baumkuchen make perfect souvenirs. Snacks: Be sure to try their milk ice cream or yogurt. The rich and nutty flavor is exceptional. It was the perfect dessert! 📝 Travel Summary [Sakuramachi Departure → Aso Crater → Aso Shrine (Lunch: Hanabishi) → Aso Milk Factory] A packed half-day course starting early in the morning and returning in the afternoon! While the grand volcanic sights were impressive, the taste of Aka-Gyu Don at Hanabishi is something I'll keep thinking about even after returning to Korea. 😋 If you're visiting Kumamoto, I highly recommend the Aso bus tour!