JAPAN - Mount Aso

14:50 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Mount Aso is not only the largest active volcano in Japan, it is also the world’s largest caldera. The Kumamoto Prefecture where it was located was once known as Hi no Kuni (Land of Fire).


The farmers left their vegetation at a hut for sale with no one supervising. It spoke volume about the trust and faith they had in the buyer’s honesty.


Beautiful scenery on the way to Mount Aso.


We finally reached the crater of Mount Nakadake which is accessible through ropeway or road.


The steaming crater.

















A man selling sulphur.






The crater of Mount Aso produces sulphurous acid gas. Visitors who have asthma or trouble with the respiratory organs are advised no to go near the crater.


The warning light of the volcanic activities. The red siren signals emergency evacuation for everyone.




The plate says “Mount Aso National Park”.
























Special stone structure to protect the people should the volcano suddenly erupts and there is no time to evacuate.

























Aso Kusasenri is grass covered plain near Mount Aso.




You can try the skewered and grilled horse meat if you dare. A small skewer cost 150 yen and a bigger one cost 300 yen.



I tried one and it was tasty because the meat is lean.









Kome Zuka (means rice mount) is a small volcanic cone that lies in the vast Aso caldera.









Well, this is the first time I’m this up close to a volcanic crater. Next I’ll visit Japan’s famous hot spring area, Beppu.


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