I love the old-fashioned charm of Oyu Onsenkyo in Akita. It preserves the character and atmosphere of traditional hot spring lodges.
After the rain shower, the stream was full, and a thick layer of mist hovered above it, like the foam on a latte. The greenery looked even fresher and more soothing after being washed by the rain.
Summer is definitely the perfect time to visit Tohoku.
Oyu Stone Circles | Review by 周黛西
Other Reviews by 周黛西
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Aso Resort Grandvrio Hotel
A hotel in Aso with an outstanding location. Some rooms offer balcony views of the outer rim surrounding the Five Peaks of Aso, letting guests fully enjoy the area’s majestic nature. The large public bath uses Komezuka Onsen, a hot spring that wells up from the foot of Mount Aso. Guests can enjoy its smooth, fatigue-relieving waters, said to help with muscle soreness, in the open-air bath, indoor bath, and the annex bathing facility Kigokoro no Yu.
After reluctantly leaving Kusasenri Beach, we checked into Aso Resort Grandvrio Hotel. This hot spring hotel is located on a quiet mountain, with beautiful, pleasant scenery. The moment we arrived, we fully switched into vacation mode.
A large, smiling Kumamon sign welcomed us in the lobby. Instead of lavish, elaborate decor, it has a clean, simple style. The scenery outside the hotel is beautiful and lush, perfect for a walk or hike. The on-site golf course is also great for guests who enjoy golf.
Opening the floor-to-ceiling window in our room revealed a picturesque view. There are large public baths in both the main building and annex, and all guests can enjoy the natural Komezuka Onsen. Weary travelers can temporarily forget their fatigue and worries and immerse themselves in nature. It was truly relaxing!
Dinner was a seafood buffet with fresh sashimi and plenty of snow crab legs. Seafood lovers will definitely eat to their heart's content! At night, the chirping of insects lulls you to sleep. Such a blissful feeling! -
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Komezuka
Komezuka, a cone-shaped volcano, is located at the base of Kishimadake, one of the central peaks of Mount Aso's five peaks. This small mountain stands about 80 meters high and is believed to have been formed by an eruption around 3,300 years ago. The slopes are covered with grasslands, turning a vibrant green from spring to summer. In autumn, the slopes glow golden with susuki (Japanese pampas grass), and in winter, they are beautifully blanketed in snow.
On the way back, among the many hills, we looked for a small mountain shaped like an upside-down bowl called “Komezuka.” Komezuka has a cute conical shape and is covered in lush green, making it look like matcha pudding. It also resembles Taiwan’s “Matcha Mountain.”
You can’t just park along the road, so we could only admire it from afar, but its distinctive appearance has left a deep impression on me. -
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Kusasenri
Mount Eboshi is one of the 5 peaks found in the center of Mount Aso. Here you’ll find Kusasenri, the breathtakingly vast, emerald green grasslands that expand northwards. Many textbook writings, as well as classical poets and song writers have immortalized its beauty in their works, making Kusasenri one of the most iconic images that people know when thinking of Mount Aso.
Leaving Kumamoto and heading toward Aso, as the car slowly left the city, the view gradually opened up. The winding mountain road climbed upward, with rolling hills and endless emerald-green grasslands as far as the eye could see.
After arriving at Kusasenri, I couldn't wait to run onto the grassland as soon as the car was parked. The sky seemed so distant and high, and the grassland stretched endlessly. Visitors looked like tiny dots scattered everywhere, or strings of little dumplings, and I was one of them. The vast sky, the boundless wilderness, and cattle and horses appearing as the wind bent the grass—Kusasenri truly lives up to its name as a magnificent grassland. Walking across the grassland, the breeze was cool against my face. From a high vantage point, I could gaze at Mount Aso on one side and the vast grassland on the other. I couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of nature. Deep and light greens—dark green, yellow-green, emerald green, blue-green—all kinds of green shifted in the sunlight. So beautiful!
Back at the parking lot, there's no need to rush off. You can have a cup of coffee at Kusasenri Coffee Roastery and settle your thoughts, or browse the shop next door and stock up for your journey. -
