Baton Ramen Fukufuku
222 Uchinomaki, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2301, Japan
Aso Travel Guide 2026: Top Attractions, Local Food & Travel Tips | Trip.com
Aso
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Collect stamps across 9 eco zones@Aso-Kuju National Park
Mount Aso hot springs: double soak and steam-cooking experience@Aso-Kuju National Park
Aso-Kuju National Park Volcano Exploration@Aso-Kuju National Park
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About Aso
21℃
21°Cloudy
24° / 18°
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Partly clear with showers27° / 19° - 10/26MonShowers25° / 16°
- 10/27TueShowers20° / 8°
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Clear18° / 5° - 10/29ThuMostly cloudy19° / 11°
- 10/30FriShowers20° / 14°
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12 Days Kyushu Itinerary for your Autumn trip 😁
Hope our experience in this 12 days Kyushu trip in autumn season will help you all. Here’s our itinerary : Day 1 · reach Fukuoka airport · fukuoka airport to Hakata station only 25 mins ttain ride. You can take airport limousine bus also. · our accomodation is near Hakata Station : Prince Smart Inn Hakata hotel. · getting our brunch in Fukuoka famous bakery : Dacomecca, always long queue in the morning. · Maizuru Park, autumn garden, ruins of fukuoka castle · Ohori Park, got starbucks here · Canal City Hakata Day 2 · breakfast from our hotel · morning : Marine world Uminonakamichi · lunch at marine world restaurant · afternoon to late afternoon : Uminonakamichi Seaside park, rent a bike to explore this big flower park. · Hakata Ikkousha ramen for dinner 👌 Day 3 · start of our road trip to explore Kyushu island. · booked a car from toyota rent a car Hakata stn. · beautiful road trip to Yufuin, oh the highway rest stop is clean and have lot of food and cafe. · park and check in first : Yufuin Hotel Shuhokan · lunch : Yufumabushi shin, must try their beef claypot rice · explore yunotsubo street, Yufuin floral village · dinner at ramen restaurant next to our hotel · don’t forget to try the onsen at the hotel. Day 4 · only in autumn and winter, must see the morning mist at Kinrin Lake · breakfast : Yufuin Senke Cafe · check out and drive to Beppu · complete the “Seven hells of Beppu” · see Beppu from top of the hill : Kifune Castle · best yakiniku dinner : Yakiniku Ganshou · 1 night in Beppu : Grandvro hotel Beppuwan Wakura, love this hotel, try their indoor and outdoor onsen with free ice cream and drinks. Day 5 · this hotel got the best breakfast · check out and drive to Aso · Harajiri Falls in on the way! Magnificent waterfalls · lunch at Harajiri Falls restaurant · drive to Aso, stop at Daikando lookout · 2 nights in Aso : Aso Hakuun Sanso · blessed to have onsen every night in our road trip 😆 Day 6 · breakfast at hotel · 1 hour road trip to see the famous “Takachiho Gorge”. Beautiful in autumn and the forest always give you healing time. · back to Aso, stop at “Kamishikimi Shrine” · dinner at local yakiniku restaurant ner our hotel : Hikoshan Day 7 · Checkout · Kusasenrigahama, beautiful grassland where we can see Mt Aso · Kusasenri coffee roastery · we start our quest to see One Piece statue in Kumamoto · Nico Robin statue at Kumamoto Earthquake Museum KIOKU, check the museum also, it’s good. · Zoro Statue · Monkey D. luffy statue, this place got beautiful line pf Gingko trees, very beautiful in autumn · lunch at KFC, KFC japan is the most delicious KFC I ever tried 🤣 · 1 night in Kumamoto : Hotel Blossoms Kumamoto, this hotel is on top of AMU Plaza. Luxurius hotel and onsen. · AMU Plaza · short walk to Hanaokayama Park, see sunset and Kumamoto skyline on to of this hill. Day 8 · road trip to Sasebo, where The famous Dutch amusement park “Huis ten Bosch” is. · stop at Yanagawa Canal · then drive to Takeo city · Takeo City Library, beautiful library with Starbucks inside the library · short drive to see famous autumn Garden “Mifuneyama Rakuen” · reach Sasebo, spend 2 nights at Huis ten Bosch hotel : Hotel Okura JR Huis Ten Bosch Day 9 · breakfast at hotel · take a free boat ride from hotel to Huis Ten Bosch · spend a whole day here · dinner : must try Sasebo burger at Aikawa Yakiniku Day 10 · check out, drive back to Fukuoka · return our car in Hakata · our hotel in Tenjin area now : Quintessa hotel Tenjin comics and books, free comic to rent and read it in your room 👌 · shopping time : Tenjin underground mall, Uniqlo Tenjin, One Fukuoka building, lot of stores in Tenjin! Day 11 · Day trip to Dazaifu · Dazaifu starbucks, designed by Kengo Kuma · Dazaifu Tenmagu Shrine · Ichiran ramen original building · explore christmas market at Tenjin Central Park · Hakata port tower, free entry observation deck where you can see Fukuoka skyline! Day 12 · an early morning flight back to our country Oh, We have more detailed trip in each town in our previous posts , you can check that out also. #kyushu #fukuoka
3D2N road trip in Aso, Takachiho Gorge and Kumamoto
This quick 3D2N getaway to Aso, Takachiho Gorge and Kumamoto was an epic chunk of our 12-day Kyushu road trip—seriously, so much beauty packed into so little time! Here’s how it went down: Day 1 We hit the road from Beppu and rolled into Aso, Kyushu’s volcanic hotspot. First stop: Daikanbo lookout 🌄 (Yamada, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2313, open 24 hours). The view? Absolutely mind-blowing—think endless mountain panoramas and cloud-surfing vibes! After soaking it in, we checked in to our cozy homebase for the night: Aso Hakuun Sanso (Kurokawa, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2225). The onsens here are sooo good and the whole place just screams “relax mode on.” Day 2 Adventure mode: ON. We set off for the Insta-famous Takachiho Gorge (Mitarai, Takachiho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki 882-1101, open daily 8:30am–5pm, boat rental available). The drive took about an hour—hello, road trip playlists!—and wow, this spot is unreal. Think steep cliffs, crystal-clear rivers, and rowboats gliding under waterfalls. After our nature fix, we headed back to Aso and stopped at Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine (Shirakawa, Takamori, Aso, Kumamoto 869-1602, open 24/7). This mystical hillside shrine is pure Studio Ghibli vibes, with mossy stone lanterns and a magical forest setting—seriously, don’t miss it! Day 3 For our last morning in Aso, we explored Kusasenrigahama (Kusasenri, Aso, Kumamoto), epic grasslands with insane views of Mt. Aso’s massive caldera. Such a chill spot—totally felt like we were in a fantasy movie. Coffee break? Yes please! We recharged at Kusasenri Coffee Roastery (808-5 Kurokawa, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2225), which serves up dreamy brews and killer volcano views. Back on the road, but before heading to Kumamoto city, we HAD to snap pics at the One Piece Nico Robin statue and check out the Kumamoto Earthquake Museum KIOKU (2-3 Koyaimamachi, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto 862-0956, open Tue–Sun 9am–5pm). Learning more about the city’s resilience was super inspiring. When we finally reached Kumamoto, we couldn’t leave without meeting the One Piece Luffy statue (52-1 Honmaru, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto 860-0002)—because #otakulife . Stay tuned for our next kyushu adventures—this Kyushu trip just keeps getting better! 😍
Japan's Hidden Gem Kumamoto Origami Art Hotel ORIGAMI Must-Stay Guide!
🏨 ORIGAMI MINAMIASO · Design Aesthetics in Harmony with Nature Nestled in the embrace of Mount Aso is a secret hotel inspired by origami, offering you a perfect blend of architecture and nature✨ 📍 Location Information · Address: Minamiaso Village, Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan (a stunning hidden gem surrounded by Mount Aso) · Transportation: About 1.5 hours by car from Kumamoto Station · Opening Date: November 2025 (Now is the perfect time to book!) 🎯 Highlights · Only 2 groups of guests accepted daily 👨👩👧👦 (truly a private vacation) · Architecture designed by Gendai Kankyo office, featuring exquisite origami aesthetics! 🏡 Room Experience · Detached villa design 🏠 (exclusive use of the entire forest area) · Panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows 🪟 (every shot is a masterpiece) · Japanese minimalist style ✨ (every corner is an Instagram-worthy spot) 💫 Facilities · Namesake café mt.3_origami (a must-visit for social media fans) · Private sauna room (forest views right outside the window 🌲) 🌄 Nearby Activities · Mount Aso hiking trails (wonderful exploration of nature) · Shirakawa Plateau (stunning sunrise viewing spot) · Hot spring tour ♨️ (experience Japanese bathing culture) 📌 Travel Tips · Recommended to book 3 months in advance (don’t miss out!) · Suitable for groups of 2-4 people (perfect for a photo trip with friends) · Average price about 2500 RMB/night (recommended to stay 2-3 nights for a deep experience) ⚠️ Note: The hotel is not yet open but reservations are already available! If you want to experience it, be sure to save this⭐️
Mount Fuji Island Loop
Mount Fuji 330km Island Loop Cycling Challenge Tour I recently went cycling around Mount Fuji in Japan, and it was so thrilling! We started from Tokyo and cycled along the 330-kilometer island loop road for 2 days, finally arriving at this beautiful mountain. Mount Fuji is one of Japan's most famous tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors every year. This mountain is not only a spiritual symbol of Japan but also an active volcano that has erupted multiple times throughout history. We first arrived at the Fifth Station of Mount Fuji, which is the best spot to admire the mountain. Here, you can see the spectacular volcanic crater and the surrounding peaks. We stayed for a while to enjoy the scenery before continuing our ride. Next, we reached Fujinomiya City, where there is a beautiful lake called Saiko. We took a break by the lake and enjoyed the water and the surrounding views. Then we arrived at Lake Kawaguchi, another famous attraction. This place features beautiful lake waters and surrounding mountains, creating a breathtaking scene. We stopped by the lake for a while to appreciate the view. Finally, we reached the highest point of Mount Fuji—the Daikanbo Peak. This is the best place to enjoy a panoramic view of Mount Fuji. Here, you can see the magnificent volcanic crater and the surrounding peaks. We stayed for a while to admire the scenery before continuing our ride. Overall, this cycling trip was very exciting and unforgettable. The stunning scenery of Mount Fuji is hard to forget, and I have deeply fallen in love with this mountain and its surroundings. If you want to travel here too, be sure to prepare and plan ahead!
Hisui・Yamajade｜Experience the D&S Train That Runs Only 50 Days a Year
In the remote Hitoyoshi Basin, surrounded by mountains and with difficult transportation, only two types of small birds can soar between the valleys and forests. These are the unique blue and green kingfishers of Kuma: Hisui・Yamajade. This is JR Kyushu’s special train - Hisui・Yamajade. "Like a bird flying through majestic green mountains and beside emerald waters." Today, let’s take this train to explore the hidden wonders~ 🚂Carriages|Craftsmanship The interior extensively uses local cypress and cedar wood, joined with traditional woodworking techniques to create a warm forest atmosphere. The windows feature carved designs, looking like works of art from the outside. Car No. 1 “Hisui” in blue tones, equipped with a scenic bar counter and binoculars; Car No. 2 “Yamajade” in green tones, with a spacious and comfortable sofa area, plus a light snack zone and a small bookshelf. 💺Seat Recommendation: When departing from Kumamoto, it’s best to choose seats on the right side of the train to better enjoy the magnificent views of the Aso Valley. 🎁Souvenirs|Limited Edition Collectibles Free postcards are available on board, with a commemorative stamp nearby. The mini shop sells limited edition badges, keychains, and folders. Don’t miss the delicious Aso milk ice cream and Kuma shochu. On weekends and holidays, limited seasonal bento boxes are also available. 🚉Route|A Train That Reverses Direction The most interesting feature of this line is its zigzag route climbing the mountains. After departing Kumamoto Station, the train reverses direction at Tateno Station to climb up to the Aso Plateau. Through the windows, you can enjoy the vast grasslands and volcanic peaks of the Aso Valley along the way. 2026 Operation Information: This train ceased regular service in 2025 and now runs as a special train. In 2026, it will operate on the Kumamoto–Miyaji (Aso direction) section on: February: 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 March: Schedule is being adjusted; please check the JR Kyushu official website before departure. ⚠️ All seats are reserved and must be booked in advance.
Countdown to Cherry Blossom Season! 2026 Japan Nationwide Cherry Blossom Viewing Guide
Cherry Blossom Season — The Main Event 🔹 Honshu at the end of March, Hokkaido expected in late April 👉 If you want to see the earliest cherry blossom snow this year, go straight to Izu, where the Kawazu cherry blossoms are ready! The cherry blossoms stretch for miles along the Kawazu River, looking like pink clouds! Super beautiful. . 2026 Japan Cherry Blossom Season · Predicted Bloom Period Izu Kawazu Cherry Blossoms: February - early March Tokyo: late March - early April Kansai: late March - early April Chubu: early April - mid-April Kyushu: mid-late March - early April Shikoku: late March - early April Tohoku: mid-April - late April Hokkaido: late April - early May (Hokkaido is cooler, so blossoms bloom later) . 👍 Lesser-known Cherry Blossom Viewing Routes 🌸 Izu Kawazu Cherry Blossoms: 【Tokyo — Izu · Kawazu Cherry Blossoms — Shimoda】 Along Kawazu River (early spring Kawazu cherry blossoms × rapeseed flowers) × hot springs × night cherry blossom illuminations ✨ × Shimoda Park (cherry blossom harbor ⚓) × Omuroyama... 🌸 Kanto: 【Tokyo — Hakone — Mt. Fuji (Lake Kawaguchi / Lake Yamanaka / Asama Park)】 Mt. Fuji cherry blossoms × hot springs × cycling sightseeing at Lake Yamanaka × cherry blossom stroll at Lake Kawaguchi × Sensoji Temple × hidden cherry blossom spots × Michelin restaurants... . 🌸 Kansai: 【Kyoto — Nara — Osaka】 Arashiyama cherry blossom train 🚆 × Fushimi Jukkoku boat cruise × shrines and temples cherry blossoms × Mint Bureau cherry blossom tunnel × Nara cherry blossom deer × kimono experience... . 🌸 Kyushu: 【Fukuoka — Saga — Kumamoto — Mount Aso — Beppu — Yufuin】 Fukuoka cherry blossoms × Aso volcano (green tea mountain) × Beppu hot springs × Kumamoto Castle city walk × shrine scenes like in "Forest of Fireflies"... . 🌸 Hokkaido: 【Sapporo — Otaru — Hakodate】 Goryokaku Park (star-shaped fortress) × 🔺 Hakodate mountain night view × Hokkaido Shrine (plum and cherry blossoms together) 🌊... ——⭕ Stay in Japanese-style gardens + perfect views + private hot springs + secluded or luxury hotels! ◾ Aman Kyoto: hidden deep in the forest, 🔍 garden + private hot spring ◾ Aman Tokyo: fusion of Japanese Zen and modern style, overlooking the entire Tokyo skyline ◾ Fufu series (Kyoto / Nara / Hakone...): focuses on hot springs + traditional Japanese atmosphere ◾ Hoshinoya Fuji: rooms face Mt. Fuji, watch it while lying down ……
Who understands Asu’s charm? Attached transportation guide
Aso's summer is just like in Hayao Miyazaki's comics! ❤️ I thought Mount Fuji was beautiful enough. Until I came across the Aso volcano in Kyushu, Although the volcanic warning has prevented us from going up to the crater these two days, But Kusa Senri can see the volcano smoking, which is really happy. Recommend a few places you must visit ❤️Kusa Chisato In addition to being able to see Mount Aso, Kusasenri also offers a wide range of grasslands and horseback riding experiences. Interested friends can also participate. ❤️Aso Crater We were not allowed to go there this time, but those who have the conditions can take a helicopter. ❤️Daguan Peak On the other side of the crater, you can take the Tsugetate Line from Aso Station to ❤️Kamiishiki Kumanoza Shrine Take JR from Kumamoto to Takamori Station, and then take the bus. A friend told me that you can rent a bicycle from Takamori Station, and it is not bad to ride a bicycle for 6 kilometers. ps: If you want to visit all the above places within one day, it is recommended to charter a car. Public transportation is a bit inconvenient. ❤️Friends who are not in a hurry can stay in the hot spring village of Aso for two days like me and experience the slow life in the countryside of Japan · 🚃About public transportation to Mount Aso Take the Kyushu Cross-Island Express JR directly from Kumamoto to Aso Station Get off at Aso Station and change buses to go up the mountain I strongly recommend you stay in Aso for a day. This way, you won’t be too rushed and can spend half a day in the hot springs. · Figure 11 is the JR timetable for Aso Station (for those who have purchased a JR pass, just save money and take the JR like me); Figure 12 is the Kyushu Cross-Island Bus schedule (it is recommended to book the Kyushu Cross-Island Bus in advance on the official website, as it is said to be very popular); Figure 13 is the timetable for the Aso Volcano Loop Route. You can save the picture as needed. ⚠️Kyushu is really a paradise for train fans. Friends who buy JR passes must make reservations for Yufuin Forest and Aso Boys in advance. Kyushu's little trains are so cute~
Kyushu, Japan｜Daikanbo A magnificent natural landscape that you must visit in autumn⛰️
Daikanbo is the highest peak located northeast of Uchino Onsen. Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons We went there at the end of November Winding road Ups and downs The scenery along the way is very spectacular~ Reached the top of the mountain The whole mountain is golden A magnificent view overlooking Kyushu There is an observation deck on the top of the mountain Enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and nature The streets of Aso - A panoramic view of the Five Peaks of Aso So spectacular~ Love the natural scenery This is a must visit place The Kyushu Grand View Summit will leave you with a deep impression~ Self-driving tour is recommended You can stop and take pictures at any time when you see a beautiful view. The wind is stronger on the mountain Remember to add more clothes. #JapanTravel #KyushuAttractions #OverseasTravel #trip
The Japanese "Tsuruya Ryokan" is an extremely delightful countryside inn~ 🏨🌳
The Heiwa Ryokan is one of the hotels I recommend during my Kyushu trip 💜. It is an old-fashioned hotel with natural scenery, located in a rural area, which is relatively quiet~. I should say that Aso is a place with few people and beautiful scenery. We stayed here for two days, and it was very comfortable~. We came in December, and maybe because it was the off-season, there were fewer people staying. The hotel has a parking lot at the entrance, which is convenient for self-driving. The staff is very enthusiastic. When we entered, they took us to the lobby to check-in and even brought us snacks~. We booked a standard room with breakfast for $1100 per night. Although the room is relatively old-fashioned, everything is complete, and the heating is sufficient. When checking in, you can also make an appointment with the staff to soak in a private hot spring. There are fewer restaurants near the hotel, and you need to walk for more than ten minutes to dine outside for dinner~. The sky here is very clean, and you can see stars all over the sky at night. I really like this kind of rural life in Japan~. The next day, the staff prepared breakfast and knocked on our door to notify us. I have to say that the breakfast is really rich and of high quality~. There is even a foot warmer under the table for us to warm our feet. It's really thoughtful~. #Japanese hotel #travel #overseas travel #resident writer #Japan trip
Japan Kyushu | A hidden healing animal park in Aso City~
Accidentally discovered a little-known But a small zoo full of experience~ different from large zoos no crowds here Be able to interact with animals in a more relaxed state of mind The environment is also very comfortable, surrounded by mountains~ The staff is very enthusiastic to show us around Introduce us to the habit of each animal's name Take us to interact closely with animals Very interesting experience~ I saw a big enthusiastic dog Scratching pigs cute capybara bowing goose Beast-like grass mud horse~ You can feed cute chicks here Hug the silly bamboo rat Basically, you can experience close contact with animals~ For me who likes small animals Very healing~ 🏠Fairy Tale Zoo 📍 Shikimi 2408-1, Takamori Town, Aso County, Kumamoto Prefecture 🕙 10:00-17:00 (last reception at 16:30) 🎫 600 yen per person 🚗 Parking available #Japanese Attractions # Japan travel #Resident Writer #Overseas Travel
What people are saying about Aso
Mount Aso
One of my favorite areas and attractions in Kitakyushu. The whole Aso area is beautiful. We were lucky enough to see horses in Kusasenri and go to the crater. It might be the off-season, but there were not many people in the view restaurant. You can sit as you like. It's so friendly. I want to bring my kids back in the summer to see the green scenery. I highly recommend Aso! You can also go to Kurokawa Onsen, which is great.
PopoeyKurokawa Onsen
I would like to recommend Kurokawa Onsen! There are baths, you can eat while walking, and the air is delicious and relaxing. A car is necessary and the roads are narrow, but they are one-way so it is easy to get around ☺️ The people are kind and friendly, and it feels like you are on a trip, which makes you feel good 🎵
もぐちゃん夫婦Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine
Deep in the secrets of the Aso region, there is actually a very famous hidden attraction. That is Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine. Because the shrine is located in the deep mountains and dense forests, on the way to the temple, you can see moss-covered stone lanterns and torii. The moment you step in, it feels like you have walked into another world, so this place is also called the "mysterious entrance to the other world." The two popular anime "Firefly Forest" and "Natsume's Book of Friends" were filmed here, adding a touch of mystery to this place, attracting countless anime fans like me to come here for pilgrimage
Doctor X_CandyKusasenri
This place is a huge flat grassland , as weny there in winter so the grass covered with lots of snow.
_TI***j0Aso Boy
Aso Boy Train is a special sightseeing train in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, famous for its unique appearance and design. This train is operated by JR Kyushu Railway Company and usually runs on the lines in the Aso area, providing visitors with a special train experience. The Aso Boy Train has a distinctive appearance, with bright blue and orange as the main colors, and is decorated with cute cartoon patterns and shapes. The interior of the carriage is beautifully decorated, equipped with comfortable seats and various facilities, providing passengers with a comfortable riding environment. The train also features special themed cars, such as the observation car or the specialty dining car, where passengers can enjoy delicious food while admiring the scenery. The Aso Boy Train's routes usually travel along the scenic routes of the Aso area, offering stunning views of Mount Aso, lush green countryside, and charming rural landscapes along the way. Riding this train allows visitors to experience the Japanese countryside and the beauty of nature, making it a pleasant sightseeing option. Overall, the Aso Boy Train is a unique sightseeing train that attracts tourists and provides a comfortable, fun and memorable travel experience. Taking this train, you can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery, but also feel Japan's unique train culture and service.
Jay_so_goodKuju Forest Park Skiing Grounds
Now that it is the only ski resort in Kyushu, I can't recommend going there on a weekend. Considering the cost of the lift ticket and the time it takes to ride the lift, it's the worst value for money. It's easily accessible from the city center, so it might be okay to go on a weekday.
3-3Kusasenri Observatory
It was windy and rained on the way, but the scenery was great and the view was amazing!! Horseback riding (about 5 minutes) 1,500 yen for people over 120cm tall Parking fee: 500 yen per car
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