Enjoy Popular Sightseeing Spots in the Aso Area in One Day! Sightseeing Bus Tour “ASO Caldera LINE”

The biggest benefit of ASO Caldera LINE is that it efficiently follows the Aso area’s classic course.
In one day, you can enjoy four popular sights that are typically difficult to visit using only public transportation: Aso Nakadake Crater, Kusasenri, Shirakawa River Source, and Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine.
By cutting down on travel time and waiting time, you can reduce fatigue and stress and spend more time sightseeing.
While keeping a sense of freedom, you can experience the core of Aso in a short time with professional itinerary management and no wasted time.

With ASO Caldera LINE, the travel itself is part of the tour.
The view from your seat becomes a moving observation deck, allowing you to take your time enjoying Aso’s spectacular scenery even while riding.
You can take in panoramic views from the outer rim of the caldera and grasslands to distant mountain ranges, and simply sitting on the bus lets you savor Aso’s landscapes to your heart’s content.
Another appeal is watching the scenery open up as the altitude changes and following the seasonal shifts in the color of the grass in real time.
You can spend the day however you like-taking photos, chatting, and more-but it would be difficult to have the same experience by rental car or regular public transportation.

Because ASO Caldera LINE operates on open-air vehicles with no side windows, you can enjoy Aso’s great nature and the scale of its caldera with a strong sense of openness.
Beyond what you see, you can directly feel immersive elements such as insect calls, the sound of the wind, and the scent of grass and trees.
The dynamism of a volcanic plume, pastoral scenery, and the rural landscapes of Minami-Aso unfold continuously, letting you experience the atmosphere and character of the place that photos cannot convey.
Roll curtains are provided, so you can ride with peace of mind even in rainy weather.
Another highlight is the special vehicle wrapping designed by students in the manga course at Takamori High School.

Because ASO Caldera LINE is reservation-only, you can be sure you will be able to board.
The Aso area is a popular destination, and on weekends and during peak seasons it can be difficult to travel as planned due to crowds.
In particular, buses from Aso Station to Kusasenri to Aso Sanjo Terminal and from Aso Sanjo Terminal to Aso Crater are heavily used, and you often cannot board the service you want.
If you secure ASO Caldera LINE tickets in advance, you can travel with peace of mind without worrying about same-day sellouts or full buses.
Another benefit is that the departure point is JR Aso Station, which is easy to reach by JR even from central Kumamoto.

The meeting point for the tour is JR Aso Station, the gateway to sightseeing in Aso.
For access to Aso Station from Aso Kumamoto Airport and JR Hakata Station, please refer to the table below.

The first destination is Aso Nakadake Crater, an active volcano located at an altitude of about 1,500 meters in the center of the five peaks of Aso.
Its first crater, about 600 meters in diameter and 130 meters deep, is especially famous, and you can see volcanic landforms up close, including exposed lava walls and striped crater walls.
Along with the volcanic plume that continues to rise vigorously even today, you can experience the power of the volcano with all five senses through rumbling sounds and the smell of sulfur.
Its dramatic landscapes, which change by season and time of day, are also a highlight.
From the emerald-green crater lake to the magnificent panorama of the Kuju mountain range in the distance, you can fully appreciate the scale of the Aso caldera.

Next, you head to Kusasenri, a nationally designated scenic spot and natural monument spread across the mid-slope of Mt. Aso.
This grassland, about 1 kilometer in diameter, formed in the remains of a crater about 30,000 years ago, and features gentle fan-shaped hills and a central hollow that creates the shape of a “large green dish.”
With Nakadake Crater in the background, the pastoral scene of grazing horses calmly eating grass helps you forget the bustle of the city.
In the center is a double-crater depression where rainwater collects, and each season has its own charm, from vivid summer greens to autumn pampas grass, and from snowy winter scenery to a silver world of ice-covered trees.
Lunch is on your own, so enjoy local specialties at nearby cafes and restaurants.
If you have time, it is also recommended to stop by the Aso Volcano Museum and souvenir shops.

In the afternoon, you start at Shirakawa River Source, the headwaters of the Shirakawa, a Class A river that flows through Kumamoto City, and a site selected as one of Japan’s “100 Famous Waters.”
An abundant supply of water, about 60 tons per minute, gushes out year-round at a water temperature of 14°C, creating a mysterious scenery that feels deeply tranquil.
The way sand rises from the bottom of the pool is beautiful, and the view of surrounding trees reflected on the water’s surface is spectacular and very photogenic.
This crystal-clear water has long been revered as sacred water believed to bring longevity and ward off illness, and even today you are free to drink it or take it home.
It is rich in minerals and has a mellow taste, and you can also enjoy it at nearby cafes and restaurants.

The next destination is Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, a power spot enshrined in Takamori Town, Aso District.
It is an old shrine that enshrines three deities-Izanagi-no-Mikoto, Izanami-no-Mikoto, and Iwagimi Taishogun-and is said to bring blessings for finding love and for success in exams.
Its deep cedar grove and moss-covered approach became a hot topic on social media as a “gateway to another world.”
Nearly 100 stone lanterns line both sides of the long approach, and after passing through the torii gate, the atmosphere shifts into something mystical.
Covered entirely in moss, the fantastical green world where sunlight filters through is so beautiful it feels like a Ghibli film.
There are many highlights, including the sacred tree “Nagi” and the giant cavern “Ugetoiwa” that towers behind the main hall.

The final stop is Takamori Station, the terminal station of the Minami-aso Railway.
It was renewed in 2023 as a symbol of recovery after the Kumamoto Earthquake, and features a landscape-focused design that makes the most of Minami-Aso’s grand scenery.
It has a spacious west-facing platform 160 meters long, and the station building, exchange facility, Nangohi tower, and corridors form an unusual layout that surrounds a lawn plaza.
Its open space, where you can take in both the sunset and the Aso caldera, is especially appealing, and you will want to capture the spectacular view with Mt. Aso as the backdrop.
Other highlights include a retro trolley train running between Takamori Station and Tateno Station, and a statue of Franky, a popular character from the nationally beloved manga “ONE PIECE.”

The tour ends after returning to Aso Station, where you will then disband.
In the Aso area, there is also Kurokawa Onsen, featured in the Michelin Green Guide Japon, so if you are staying in Kumamoto beyond the next day, consider visiting.
With seven different hot spring water types, stone-paved lanes, and a rural foothills landscape wrapped in rising steam, its atmospheric townscape offers an experience unlike any other.

Volcanic gas is continuously emitted around the Aso crater, and viewing conditions are set with health and safety considerations in mind.
Because ASO Caldera LINE follows these rules, those who fall under the categories below generally cannot participate in the tour.
In the unlikely event that something happens, it is entirely at your own risk, so please decide for yourself whether you can participate.
If you have any concerns about your health, it is recommended that you consider carefully, such as consulting a doctor for guidance.

ASO Caldera LINE runs through mountainous areas on open-air vehicles with no side windows.
Because you are directly exposed to wind while riding, you may feel heat or cold more strongly, and the perceived temperature can vary greatly depending on the season.
In spring and autumn, morning and evening chill and strong winds can significantly lower how cold it feels, and at higher elevations it can suddenly cool down even during the day.
Conversely, in midsummer, sunlight hits directly, and UV rays and heat can build up, leading to greater physical strain than expected (including a higher risk of heatstroke).
Useful items to bring are listed below.
Because the mountaintop area around Mt. Aso is colder than the plains and the weather can change quickly, it is recommended to check the forecast before departure.

Around Aso Nakadake Crater, entry restrictions may change due to active volcanic activity.
If the volcanic gas emission exceeds threshold levels and the eruption alert level is raised to Level 2 or higher, entry and crater viewing within about 1 km of Nakadake Crater will be prohibited.
If restrictions are imposed on the day of operation, the tour itinerary is likely to be partially changed, so be sure to understand this in advance.

In bad weather such as strong winds, heavy rain, or dense fog, the tour may be suspended.
Once a suspension is decided, the operating company will contact participants by email (the address used at the time of reservation).
As a basic response, a full refund of purchased tickets (no fees) will be provided.
Please check the official website and the email you receive for details.
If you are concerned, it is a good idea to read the policy and notes before making a reservation.