[Kumamoto Travel] Must-Visit Spots - Exploring Mount Aso (阿蘇山)

🌋An active volcano with one of the world's largest calderas, located in the central part of Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan - () 🌋Mount Aso isn't a single peak, but rather a collective term for the "Five Mountains of Aso" (阿蘇五岳)—Nakadake, Takadake, Nekodake, Eboshidake, and Kishimadake—and the massive caldera surrounding them. 🌋It is said that the current massive caldera was formed by ground collapse following four huge eruptions between roughly 270,000 and 90,000 years ago. Today, the central cone, Nakadake (中岳), remains highly active, periodically emitting smoke. Mountain access is sometimes restricted based on volcanic alert levels. Fortunately, on the day of my visit, I was able to see everything up close. 🌋We got to witness the highly active Nakadake Crater 1 (中岳火口) with our own eyes. We were extremely lucky to catch a glimpse of the mysterious emerald-green sulfur lake inside the crater. Since entry can be restricted depending on volcanic gas emissions, you must check the real-time regulations before visiting. 🌋Kusasenri (草千里ヶ浜), a massive 780,000-square-meter grassland spreading across the northern foot of Eboshidake, features large ponds and grazing 🐎 horses, creating a picture-perfect landscape. You can enjoy horseback riding here or go for a light trek along the meadow. 🌋Since ancient times, volcanic activity was considered a display of the gods' anger or power. Built to appease them, the ' ' has a history of over 2,000 years. This Aso Shrine serves as the head shrine for the roughly 450 Aso shrines across Japan. We grabbed lunch at the ' ' shopping street near the shrine and enjoyed Mount Aso's famous Akagyu beef rice bowl. ⛳️ Mount Aso Nakadake Crater 1 阿蘇中岳 第1火口 ✅ Address: Kurokawa, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2225, Japan ⛳️ Aso Shrine 阿蘇神社 ✅ Address: 3083-1 Ichinomiyamachi Miyaji, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2612, Japan ⛳️ (Gahama) 草千里ヶ浜 ✅ Address: 〒869-1505 Kumamoto, Aso, 草千里ヶ浜, Japan