Kyushu {#2 Aso } ～ The Volcanic Region～

In central Kyushu, there is a famous region of active volcanic activity, and that is Aso.

The Aso National Park sits at the border of 2 prefectures - Kumamoto and Oita. It is a classical composite volcano surrounded with emergency refuge trench . Since the volcano is still relatively active, there is a lot of great hot springs in the regions as well.

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From Kumamoto station, i planned to change to the famous Aso Boy special train... But well, what I got is this classic red train as the special train does not depart that often... 

So if you are a train-oholic, you better check the train schedule first before departure... And make sure you arrive earlier to the platform, as even i took the normal train, it was pretty full as well.

The countryside view is AWESOME along the way.

A self-sustainable farming

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After the train ride... Yes, you still have to take a bus up to the mountain...

But i really appreciate this ride, as it strongly reminds me of the snow wall at theTateyama Kurobe Alpine Route - now is a green narrow version of super tall pine trees.

It took another hour to the mountain top parking lot.

As i arrived, the volcanic activity was too active that the park was closed. I was so lucky that it reopened after 30 minutes

Follow this walkway to the volcano top~~

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There's a lot of stalls around selling this kind of volcanic yellow crystals. It was written that they are good in repelling insects.

Refuge trench

In case of emergency, this is the right place all tourists ahould be in lol . 

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The Thousand Miles of Sand

This is the boardwalk leading you into the black sand~~

This is actually a plateau of volcanic ashes. sometimes you could find volcanic bombs as well.

There's a sign saying that when there is a  light rain, you could find vapours steaming out from this plateau.

a super size volcanic bomb~

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Back to the market at the bus station~ 

There is a crazily many of this black Kumamoto bear~~

The land arouns volcano is extraordinary fertile, therefore this area is also famous for vegetables and crops as well.  

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 The Thousand Miles of Green

This is a blown-up extinct volcano mouth. Now it has become a fertile grassland with horse riding experience.

Kome duka (米塚) is an interesting hill with a depression on the top. It is also a volcanic feature with a milder eruption so the hill is in a concave shape.

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Time Arrangement

More than half a day

Access

JR Fukuoka > Fukuoka Shinkansen (40min) >

JR Kumamoto > JR Kyushu Odan Tokkyu 九州橫斷特急( 1h14min) > 

JR Aso > Sanko Bus Aso Craster Line 產交巴士 阿蘇登山線 (40min) > 

Asosan Nishi Station 阿蘇山西駅> Aso Cable car ( 4 mins; depart every 15-30 mins; single fare￥600、Return fare￥1000(half price for kids) > volcano mouth 

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