Nice to meet you all and welcome to COOL JAPAN VIDEOS! This is the Aso City Tourist Association in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Best regards for introducing plenty of attractive information about Aso City in this Account.
In this First Post, I would like to briefly introduce Aso City.

▶▶▶ What is Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture? ◀◀◀
Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture is located in the Northeastern region of Kumamoto Prefecture and is known for its active volcano "Aso Mountain" and its majestic Caldera topography, one of the one of the most in the world.
With a population of about 23,000 (as of November 2024), it is a region with beautiful prairies that have been protected by people for generations for 13,000 years.
It has a variety of attractions that Fascination the Visitors, including Five Peaks of Aso, Hot Spring, and landscapes registered as UNESCO Global Geoparks.

▶▶▶ Access to Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture ◀◀◀
◎ Kumamoto Station - Access by train to Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture
From Kumamoto Station to Aso City, it is convenient to Use the JR Hohi Main Line.
Via Higo-Ozu Station, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Aso Station. There is also a limited express train Car "Trans-Kyushu Limited Express".
In addition, there are plenty of buses and rental cars to Aso City, and Access to the surrounding Sightseeing spots is also good.

◎ Aso Kumamoto Airport - Access to Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture by Car
From Aso Kumamoto Airport to Aso City, it takes about 1 hour by car.
Use a rental car or shuttle bus from the airport for smooth Access to Aso City and Sightseeing spots.
At Aso Kumamoto Airport, a new Passenger terminal building will be opened in March 2023 that integrates domestic and international flights.

▶▶▶ Historical background of Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture ◀◀◀
The history of Aso City is centered on the Agricultural culture that has benefited from Mt. Aso Mountain since ancient times.
In particular, the grasslands of Aso are said to have existed since the Jomon period about 13,000 years ago, forming the beautiful landscape of present-day Aso.
One of the world's one of the most Caldera, created by hundreds of thousands of years of volcanic activity, has become a symbol of the Aso UNESCO Geopark.

▶▶▶ Popular Sightseeing spots in Aso City, Kumamoto ◀◀◀
I would like to introduce some Sightseeing spots that represent Aso City.

◎ Nakadake Crater
Nakadake Crater is a place where you can experience the power of volcanic activity up close, and you can observe plumes and volcanic rocks near the crater. You can have a valuable experience where you can directly feel the power of geothermal heat and volcanoes.
Access is convenient because there is a Car road leading to just before the crater.

◎ Kusasenrigahama
Kusasenrigahama, a vast grassland of 785,000 square meters or about 38 times the size of Tokyo Dome, is a spot where you can enjoy a magnificent view with the Five Peaks of Aso in the background.
Grazing cows and horses can be seen grazing leisurely, and it is a healing place where you can feel the breath of nature. Walking trail is also Maintenance and popular with tourists.

◎Aso Shrine
It is an ancient shrine with a history of more than 2,000 years, enshrining 12 family gods, including Kenban Ryumei, who pioneered Aso, and is revered as the best shrine in Higo Province, and there are 500 branch companies Located in nationwide.
Restrooms available are nationally designated important cultural properties, and the tower gate is said to be one of the "Three Great Tower Gates in Japan".

◎ Daikanbo
Daikanbo is a superb view point overlooking the entire Aso Caldera.
You can see the magnificent view of the Five Peaks of Aso as a "reclining Buddha", and the scenery woven by the Sunrise and sunset is especially exceptional.
The Observation decks has Car parking lots, shops, and convenient Access.

◎ Kusasenri Observation Point
Elevation 1,100 Meters, Kusasenri Observation Point overlooks Kusasenrigahama.
If the weather is good, you can see the Ariake Sea and Mt. Unzen in the distance behind Mt. Kinbozan, and a spectacular 360-degree view Unfolds as far as the eye can see.

◎ Komezuka
Komezuka, which is said to have been formed by an eruption about 3,300 years ago, is a beautiful yen cone-shaped volcanic hill about 80 meters high located in the Caldera of Mt. Aso Mountain.
It has a beautiful shape characterized by a lush slope that looks like an upside-down dog with a large depression at the top, and you can enjoy the expression of the four seasons, with vivid fresh greenery from Spring to summer and golden pampas grass Unfolds in autumn.

◎ Tagoyama Forest Park
Tagoyama Forest Park is an observation spot where you can overlook the Five Peaks of Aso and Aso Valley.
Hiking and forest bathing can be enjoyed in the park where lush nature spreads.
From the "Sorafune Pier" where the top of Mt. Tagoyama protrudes, you can also see the sea of clouds spreading all below.

◎ Hana Asobi (ASO MILK FACTORY)
Hana Asobi is one of the largest English rose gardens in western Japan, with 4,500 roses of about 750 species.
There is a restaurant, cheese workshop, café, souvenir shop and Strawberry picking, so the whole family can enjoy it.

◎ Roadside Station Aso
Roadside Station Aso is a facility where Local Specialty products and Tourist Information are gathered.
Fresh vegetables and Souvenirs are lined up, and many tourists visit it as a base point for traveling to Aso.
Take a break from driving is also a great spot.

◎ Cuddly Dominion
It is a theme park where you can meet bears and various animals from all over the world. Popular events include a show by Director Miyazawa, who is famous as an animal trainer, holding a bear cub that can only be experienced here in Kyushu, and a "petting Zone" where you can play with dogs and cats from around the world, alpacas and capybaras.

▶▶▶ Specialty products gourmet in Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture ◀◀◀
◎ Aso's Akaushi (Higo Akaushi)
Aso's Akaushi beef is a brand of beef that is characterized by its lean meat, healthy and juicy taste.
The high-quality meat grown in the grasslands of Aso is popular for steaks and yakiniku.

◎ Pickled mustard greens
Aso's Specialties, Pickled mustard greens, are traditional pickles made from Takana grown in the Rich in nature environment of Aso. Ideal for accompaniment to rice and Ochazuke.

◎ soup
It is a local cuisine of Aso, and is popular for its gentle flavor made with flattened or rolled Dango and vegetables from the earth's Traditional Japanese straw raincoat, seasoned with miso and soy sauce.

◎ Red pickled vegetables
Red pickled vegetables are a traditional pickle that has been handed down to Aso along with pickled mustard greens, and it is a sweet and spicy pickle made with Aso's Local vegetables. Local people feel the visit of autumn by eating red pickled vegetables.

▶▶▶ Events and Festivals in Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture ◀◀◀
◎ Agricultural festivals in Aso
It is an agricultural festival held mainly at Aso Shrine, Kunizukuri Shrine, Shimo Shrine, etc.
It is a historic festivals designated as a nationally designated Important Intangible folk cultural property.

◎ Great Aso Fire Mountain Festival
Great Aso Fire Mountain Festival is a popular Events that is Held in every August.
Fireworks color the night sky of Aso, which is rich in rich in nature.
Various events are held in at the Aso City General Center Multipurpose Plaza, the Events venue, and stalls are lined up.

▶▶▶ Tourist Information of Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture ◀◀◀
Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture is an attractive Sightseeing spot that combines magnificent Nature, history and culture.
People fascinates visit the Caldera topography that spreads around the active volcano "Aso Mountain", the grassland culture that has lasted for more than 10,000 years, and the abundant Specialty products gourmet.
We will continue to introduce recommendations of Aso City, so please follow us!