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The Aso Nakadake Caldera

Powerful crater. You will feel the breath of the earth.

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Nakadake (1506 m) in the center of Mt. Aso is a volcano that continues to be active. You can see the volcanic crater up close. There are seven craters in Nakadake, and the first crater is currently active and can be seen. It can be reached near a huge crater with a circumference of about 4 km. When the gas clears, you can see the emerald green lake at the bottom of the crater, which is filled with 50 ~ 60 °C hot water.

However, if the volcanic alert level is 2 or higher, access is restricted. That is when the volcanic gas concentration exceeds the standard value or when volcanic activity is active. Therefore, you need to check on the website beforehand.

A ropeway used to run to the crater, but it was destroyed by an explosive eruption in 2016 and the line was abandoned. It can now be accessed via the Mt. Aso Park Road, a toll road that connects the Aso Sanjo Public Square and the parking lot next to the Nakadake crater. If the parking lot next to the crater is full, or if you come by a large bus, transfer to the Mt. Aso Crater Shuttle Bus at Mt. Aso Sanjo Square to get to the crater.

Highlights

  • The crater of Mt. Aso where smoke rises from the emerald green crater lake.
  • Drive on the toll road or take the Mt. Aso crater shuttle bus.
  • Entry is restricted when the volcanic alert level is 2 or higher.

Photos

  • Crater that sends up clouds of smoke. It has been worshiped since ancient times.

    Crater that sends up clouds of smoke. It has been worshiped since ancient times.

  • Huge crater. You can observe the violent eruption of smoke up close.

    Huge crater. You can observe the violent eruption of smoke up close.

  • Aso Sanjo Terminal. Aso crater line bus and Mt. Aso crater shuttle bus arrives and departs.

    Aso Sanjo Terminal. Aso crater line bus and Mt. Aso crater shuttle bus arrives and departs.

  • There is a toll road near the crater.

    There is a toll road near the crater.

Reviews

1
  • 謝美鳳

    火山口陣陣濃煙撲鼻而來,但有很重的硫磺味,隨時都會有噴發的可能性,大自然的力量覺得自己很渺小。

Details

Name in Japanese
阿蘇中岳火口
Postal Code
869-2225
Address
Kurokawa, Aso City, Kumamoto
Telephone
0967-34-0411 ( Aso Sanjo Terminal )
Closed
Open every day
Business Hours
9:00am-5:30pm
November: 9:00am-5:00pm
December 1st -March 19th: 9:00am-4:30pm
Admission
Free (Toll roads: minicars 600 yen, ordinary cars 800 yen)
Directions
Access
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)