What I wish I knew before travelling to Mt. Aso, Japan’s largest active volcano! 🇯🇵

We took an L here, so here’s 8 things I wish I knew before travelling to Mt. Aso, Japan’s largest active volcano:

1. Take the JR Hohi Line from Kumamoto Station to Aso Station (about 1hr 45min), then transfer to the Aso Sanjo bus (40min).

2. When you reach Higo-Ozu Station, you transfer onto this super cool, super bouncy old train that takes you right around the caldera, lowkey the highlight.

3. You can also go by direct bus from Kumamoto, or rent a car for the most flexibility.

4. To catch the bus from aso station to the Aso Sanjo Terminal (the bus stop near the crater) you can tap your bank card, but I’d recommend bringing cash and getting the bus pass from the station as it defs works out cheaper.

5. From Aso Sanjo Terminal, it’s a 30-minute uphill walk or a ¥600 shuttle to the Nakadake Crater

6. Check the Aso Volcano Disaster Prevention Council site before you go access often closes due to sulphur dioxide gas levels (as we found out the hard way)

7. Definitely visit the Kusasenri grasslands nearby, where semi-wild Aso horses graze freely in the old caldera. It’s one of the most photogenic spots in Kyushu.

8. The last bus back to Aso Station from the top, leaves at around 4:30 PM, so aim to get there early and make a full day of it.

Save this video to plan your own trip to Mount Aso, to hopefully not make the same mistakes we did lmao.