The station building at night feels magical, like stepping into a painting.
The red-brick building in front is lit with a soft, warm glow, while the skyscrapers behind it shine with cool, crisp white light.
It’s a great plaza where you can fully enjoy a very Tokyo-like scene, with history and modernity side by side!!
Chojabaru Visitor Center
The Chojabaru Visitor Center sits at the trailhead of the Kuju mountain range and doubles as a museum space that details the local history and surrounding nature. From nature and animals to details about the Tadewara Wetlands, there are countless resources available to help make your visit even more enjoyable.
It's nice that you can park here and explore, using it as a base for mountain climbing and hiking. It's also a pleasant place to have some tea and take a break during a drive or motorcycle tour!
Yamanami Highway
The Yamanami Highway is the nickname for Prefectural Route 11, which runs from Beppu in Oita Prefecture to Ichinomiya in Kumamoto Prefecture. The route offers a refreshing drive with sweeping views of the majestic Kuju Mountain Range and other stunning scenery.
When you think of the Yamanami Highway, you think of Chojabaru. It's the quintessential route for road trips and motorcycle tours in Kyushu! Since it's at a high elevation, the highlands are comfortable even in summer. It's a great road I'd love to drive again and again!
Hibari Cafe
Located on the grounds of Hibari Kobo, a workshop renowned for its sausages, hams, and bacon crafted with high-quality pork, a special spice blend, and fresh spring water from Aso. The workshop boasts accolades, including a gold medal from a prestigious German meat competition. At the on-site cafe, you can savor hot dogs made with their signature sausages.
I stopped by for lunch during a motorcycle tour around Kyushu. On the spacious grounds, there’s a cafe, a pizza and grill restaurant, and a sausage workshop. There’s also a bike garage in the same row that you can take a peek at.
This time I went into the restaurant and ordered the hearty “Akaushi Grill Rider”! It was packed with meat and really filled me up.
Definitely stop by if you’re exploring the Aso area! Especially recommended for motorcycle riders!!
