Aso-san (Mt. Aso)

Getting Here and Around

Kyushu Sanko buses make frequent runs between Kumamoto City Kotsu Center, the Aso Nishi cable-car station at Asosan-jo, and Kurokawa Onsen. The Kyushu bus continues from Kurokawa Onsen to Yufuin and Beppu.

The JR Hohi Line runs between Kumamoto Station and JR Aso Station (¥1,680, express; ¥1,080, local) and also connects Aso to Kagoshima (¥7,400). From JR Aso Station you must board a Kyushu Sanko bus (40 minutes; ¥540 one-way) to get to Aso-San Nishi Station. Buses run every 1-2 hours starting at 8:30; the last bus down is at 7:44. From there you can walk 30 minutes to the crater or take the Aso Nishi Cable Car (4 mins) to the terminus at Kako Nishi (West Crater). Aso-san makes an excellent stopover on the way to Yufuin from Kumamoto. The JR Odan Line also connects JR Aso Station to Yufuin via change in Oita (¥4,850).

If you start early, you can make Aso-san a day trip. You have until 9 for the last Kumamoto-bound train, but the last bus back from the ropeway to distant Aso Station is at 5. If you want to spend more time in the park, spend the night in one of the many mountain pensions clustered in the southern half.

Stop by the Aso Station Information Center to get your bearings and check conditions. The mountain's emissions occasionally take the lives of tourists, and park officials will shut things down when the alarm is raised.