Aso-bo Pamphlet
Aso: Living in Harmony with Volcanoes
Aso is a land of constant surprises, showing a different face for each season. Discover this dynamic region, from its active volcanoes and lush grasslands to its centuries-old celebrations.
Spring
Aso Jinja Shrine
Visit one of Japan’s oldest shrines, home to several Important Cultural Properties.
Hifuri Shinji
Watch blazing torches and spinning rings of fire light up the night during this ancient ritual to pray for an abundant harvest.
Grasslands
See Aso’s grasslands carpet the craters and mountainsides in green after yearly controlled burns, a tradition handed down from generation to generation.
Summer
Mt. Nakadake Crater
Get up close and personal with an active volcanic crater inside one of the world’s largest calderas.
Milk Road
Drive under wide-open skies and through lush grasslands dotted with Akaushi cattle.
Spring Water Fountains
Sip the crisp, refreshing water that comes from the 30 natural spring water fountains around Aso.
Autumn
Susuki grass (miscanthus grass)
Wander through fields of susuki grass glowing gold in the autumn sunlight around Daikanbo lookout and Milk Road.
Iwato Kagura
Feel the beat of this sacred dance that has told stories linking the worlds of humans and gods for over 200 years.
Sea of Clouds
Gaze down over the “sea” of clouds that fills the caldera, one of Aso’s most dramatic early-autumn phenomena.
Winter
Snow-Covered Scenes
Breathe in the crisp winter air and marvel at the silver-white snow covering Aso’s peaks and grasslands.
Onsen
Relax in steaming hot springs heated by the same volcanic forces that created the Aso caldera.
Koga Falls
During the winter, this towering waterfall transforms into glistening natural ice sculptures.