Aso Nakadake Crater: Viewing an Active Volcano Crater Up Close When Entry is Permitted

Aso Nakadake Crater: An Up-Close Active Volcano Experience

"Aso Nakadake (1,506 meters)" in Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is the main peak of the five Aso mountains with active volcanic activity still continuing. It is a very rare active volcano tourism site in Japan accessible by foot and car to near the crater, and during periods of volcanic activity status (alert level permitting), approaching to the crater rim is possible.

Crater Scenery

Nakadake's main crater is a massive crater approximately 600 meters in diameter and approximately 130 meters deep. During periods of non-active eruption, a blue-green acidic lake called "yu-damari (crater lake)" is formed. The fantastical scenery looking down from the crater rim is an experience like peering into the interior of the earth.

Volcano Museum (Aso Volcano Museum)

"Aso Volcano Museum" allows learning about Aso's volcanic history, eruption mechanisms, and disaster prevention information. Cameras installed at the crater allow real-time viewing of crater footage on monitors within the museum.

Combined Tourism with Kusasenrigahama

"Kusasenrigahama" (volcanic grassland, grassland approximately 1 kilometer in diameter) near Nakadake crater is popular for pastoral scenery with grazing cattle. Accessible on foot from the parking lot.

Access

Approximately 50 minutes by bus from JR "Aso Station" (in front of Aso Volcano Museum). Or by car to Kusasenrigahama parking lot. Mountain entry restrictions must be confirmed on the Japan Meteorological Agency website.