Aso-Kuju National Park Was Established in 1934
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An invigorating adventure for body and soul awaits amidst the fragrance of grasslands and the breath of Aso-Kuju volcanoes in a landscape in a constant state of renewal 18 Aso-Kuju National Park was established in 1934. Instantly recognizable by the impressive site of Mt. Aso standing National Park on the rim of a huge caldera crater, the vast Kuju Mountain Range which spreads to the north, as well as the verdant gentle grasslands that fill the area between them. The Aso Caldera is one of the world's largest calderas stretching 18 km from east to west and 25 km north to south. The surrounding grasslands were first formed by volcanic ash soil low in nutrition, and people have utilized the area for grazing animals for over a millennium. Today, the caldera島根県 is home to approximately 50,000 people, and it is the only caldera in the world in which a stable community has been built. The plains in the southern and northern parts of the caldera feature numerous rice paddies and crop fields, which are sustained by Asoʼs mineral-rich subsoil water. The vast grasslands have also been utilized to their full advantage for animal grazing and they are maintained thanks to the controlled burns that take place every year in mid-March. The 山口県 controlled burns help the growth of new grass, which is eaten by the Aka-ushi, Japanese brown cattle, just one part of local gastronomic tradition. The sight of farming communities amidst the caldera crater is a sight not to be forgotten 長崎県 and demonstrates the unique relationship the Japanese people have with their volcanic environement. ■Access Oita Haneda Airport Airport Oita Airport Fukuoka Prefecture Aso Kumamoto Airport 佐賀県 Yufuin Station (Yufuin Station Bus Center) Oita Kuju Trailhead Prefecture (Chojabaru) Aso Station 長崎県 National park area Major road Kyukamura Minami-Aso Expressway Mt. Aso Nakadake, Takamori Chuo Aso City, Shinkansen Kumamoto Aso Kumamoto Airport Kumamoto Prefecture JR Prefecture ©Aso Telework Center Private railway Access route Approx. 55 Approx. 52 min by Approx. 95 min 宮崎県 min by airport Yufuin Station Sanko Bus highway Kuju by airplane Oita ※Nearest bus stop to shuttle bus (Yufuin Station bus Trailhead Airport Chojabaru Visitor Center Bus Center) (Chojabaru) 7 Approx. 55 min Approx. 10 min Approx. 105 min by Miyazaki Kotsu by Takamori ※Nearest bus stop to Minami- 2 3 Haneda by airplane Takamori Kyukamura Airport 鹿児島県highway bus Chuo Chomin Bus Minami-Aso Aso Visitor Center Aso Kumamoto Airport Approx. 50 min Approx. 105 min by Sanko Bus by airplane Aso express bus Station 5 Access routes are given as examples. Times indicated for each route section are approximate only. For more details, please visit the counters or websites of the transportation providers. ■Information counter 【Aso area】Kumamoto DMC Co., Ltd. Phone 096-276-6875 URL http://k-dmc.co.jp/ 【Kuju area】Tourism Oita Phone 097-536-6250 URL https://www.visit-oita.jp/ 1 4 6 8 1Kusasenri, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture 2Futae Pass (view of a sea of clouds and the five Aso mountains), Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture 3Milk Road, Daikanbo, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture 4Rape blossoms and the Isshingyo-no-Oozakura, Minami-Aso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture 5Noyaki(the burning off dead grass), Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture 6Aka-ushi (Japanese brown cattle) 229 7Koga Falls, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture 8Autumn leaves viewed from Mt. Kutsukake in the Kuju Mountain Range, Kuju Town, Oita Prefecture 230 アクティブ アクティブ 言語 個人向け 団体向け アクティブ 伝 統・文 化 食べる 買う EN EN 言語対応可 春限定 夏限定 秋限定 冬限定 FIT GROUP 初心者向け 経験者向け 対応可 (言語対応には事前の連絡が必要) Park15-Contents01-03 Park15-Contents04-06 Mashu Akan- ‒Recommended Activities‒ Daisetsuzan Aso-Kuju National Park Early morning yoga activity with a great view of Aso A walking tour along the ridgeline from Mt. Kuroiwa to Mt. Sensui that offers a Toya Shikotsu- Activity Activity Unwind with tea and snacks after the yoga and admire the view great view of the Kuju Mountain Range 01 04 Even beginners can enjoy the view of Kuju's mountains on this route. Hachimantai Towada- Enjoy a spiritually uplifting, sky-high morning yoga session (limited season) Trekking tour of Kuju̶walking along the ridgeline from Kuroiwa to Sensui EN FIT EN FIT GROUP Fukko Sanriku Start the day refreshed in both mind and body Hike the ridgeline from Mt. Kuroiwa to Mt. Sensui, with an early morning yoga session at a stunning admiring spectacular 360-degree views of the Kuju secret location. Surrounded by early morning Mountain Range and the grassland that expands at scenery that changes by the day, you are likely to the foot of the mountains. A variety of fl owering plants Asahi Bandai- enjoy a birdsong soundtrack for an extra-special and vegetation grow throughout the year, providing yoga experience. Enjoy a relaxing cup of tea after the area with colorful seasonal variation. Spring’s yoga for the perfect end to a perfect morning. kisumire, a variety of Viola orientalis that blooms in profusion following the controlled burning of the Nikko grasslands in March, is a sight to be treasured. Though Season Late June–September 30 (closed year- the course includes several steep ascents, overall, it is end holidays, and Thursdays except holidays) one that even beginners can enjoy with ease. Time required Approx. 120 min Fee Adults and Hakone-Izu Fuji- Season Year-round (irregular schedule) Time required children (around age 6 and over): 4,500 yen Approx. 180 min Fee Guide fee: small groups *Minimum number of participants: 2 Inquiries Aso (1 to 4 people): 25,000 yen, 5,000 yen per person for Nature Land Co., Ltd. Phone 0967-32-4196 groups of 5 people or more Inquiries NPO Kuju Nature kogen Joshin’etsu E-mail [email protected] URL http:// Guide Club Phone 090-9564-7140 E-mail info@ www.aso.ne.jp/~natureland/ kuju-ngc.com URL http://kuju-ngc.com renzan Myoko-Togakushi Activity During the flight, the instructor takes care of piloting the paraglider, so even Activity Viewing inside the crater of the still-active Mt. Aso from a helicopter! beginners can fly with peace of mind. The only job you'll have in the air is to focus You can enjoy the scenery of somma volcano. 02 all your attention on the stellar caldela views that spread out below you. 05 sangaku Chubu Admire Aso from 450 meters in the air on a tandem paragliding adventure. Helicopter tour of Mt. Aso: feel the power of nature EN FIT EN FIT GROUP Shima Ise- If you’ve ever dreamed of soaring through the sky, this Take to the skies with a helicopter tour over the Aso area. is for you! Take off on a tandem paragliding fl ight from From the helicopter’s generous windows, marvel at Mt. Aso’s Daikanbo, a lookout point located on a vast grassland on crater, plumes of smoke rising into the sky. Beyond the crater, Kumano Yoshino- the northern outer rim of Aso. From Daikanbo, the Five the picturesque scenery of the mountainside and surrounding Mountains of Aso rise into the sky around you. Once in grasslands changes through the year, with the vibrant pinks of the air, an incredible bird’s eye view of the area provides Kyushu azaleas, controlled burns, lush grasslands and snowscapes you with a perspective few have the chance to enjoy. As taking turns enlivening the landscape. Even when restrictions due Kaigan San'in the fl ight is done with an instructor, even beginners can to volcanic activity prevent you from admiring the scenery from feel safe and secure sailing through the sky. the ground, the view from the sky is ready and waiting. Season Year-round (closed year-end holidays, and Season Season Year-round: Friday–Monday, and Tuesday–Thursday if Oki Daisen- that day is a holiday or immediately preceded or followed by a holiday. May Thursdays unless holidays) Time required 60 min Fee be cancelled due to weather. Time required Approx. 3–6 min Fee Adults and children (age 6 and over): 15,000 yen 3-minute course: adults (age 13 and over): 5,000 yen, children (ages 3 *Participants must be age 6 and over, weigh between 40 and to 12): 4,500 yen, 6-min course: adults: 10,000 yen, children: 9,000 yen Setonaikai 80 kg and be in good health Inquiries Aso Nature Land *Minimum number of participants: 2 *Individual participants are charged as Co., Ltd. Phone 0967-32-4196 E-mail natureland@ two people Inquiries Jet Heli Service LLC Phone 080-8390-4143 aso.ne.jp URL http://www.aso.ne.jp/~natureland/ E-mail [email protected] URL http://jetheliservice.com Uwakai Ashizuri- Activity A trekking tour where you can visit Mt. Mimata and other places featuring diverse landforms and vegetation Activity Tour Aso-Kuju by private car guided by an experienced driver. Starting from Yufuin or Beppu Onsen After the trekking tour, you can enjoy chicken tempura, a local specialty of Oita, and draft beer! journey through the area with visits to Tadewara Marsh, Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi Bridge and a number Kuju Aso- 03 06 of other exciting spots. The tour comes to an end at either Kurokawa Onsen or Uchinomaki Onsen. Kuju Trekking, Mount. Mimata Circuit Trekking Enjoy stellar views of the Kuju Mountain Range and Aso as you cruise Aso-Kuju by private car on a tour that connects the region’s top hot-spring areas. Amakusa Unzedn- FIT GROUP FIT Discover the Kuju area’s varied geographical formations Explore Oita Prefecture, the hot-spring capital of Japan, and abundant vegetation with in-depth commentary with a private car tour that makes Aso-Kuju National from a guide.