Aso & Kurokawa Day Trip — Kusasenri, Daikanbo, Nabegataki Falls & Kurokawa Onsen

A day circling Aso and one of the world's largest calderas by car. Start on the grasslands near the volcano, take in the caldera from a lookout and a waterfall, then end in the valley hot spring village of Kurokawa — a great place to stay the night. Easy to start from Kumamoto Airport.

Kyushu · 6 stops · about 45 km in straight lines between stops

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Dashed lines simply connect the stops in order. For the actual roads and driving time, use "Get directions in Google Maps".

Aso → Oguni → Kurokawa Onsen

1Kusasenri (Aso)
A wide grassland near the Nakadake crater of Mt. Aso, famous for horses grazing.
256 456 351
↓ about 7 km in a straight line
2Michi-no-Eki Aso
A roadside station in front of Aso Station selling local produce and souvenirs. A good place for a break.
256 669 059
↓ about 3 km in a straight line
3Aso Shrine
An ancient shrine of the Aso area. Its gate, toppled in the 2016 earthquake, has been restored.
256 704 306
☎ 0967-22-0064
↓ about 7 km in a straight line
4Daikanbo Lookout
A lookout on Aso's outer crater rim with a sweeping view of the caldera and the five peaks of Aso.
256 878 069
↓ about 16 km in a straight line
5Nabegataki Falls
A waterfall you can walk behind to see the curtain of water from the inside.
202 199 135
↓ about 12 km in a straight line
6Kurokawa Onsen
A hot spring village of ryokan along a mountain valley. A "nyuto tegata" pass lets you try several outdoor baths.
440 542 849

Get directions for this day in Google Maps

Driving tips

Access to the Nakadake crater is restricted depending on volcanic activity and gas levels. Check the official information before you go.
Aso's mountain roads can be very foggy. Turn on your headlights and slow down.
Streets inside Kurokawa Onsen are narrow. Park in a public lot or at your inn and walk around.

Distances are straight lines between stops; actual road distances and times are longer. Check opening hours, closing days and prices on the official sites before you go.

Is the Kyushu expressway pass worth it for your trip? →Kyushu MAPCODE List →

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Location, address and phone: OpenStreetMap contributors. Details may differ from reality; check before you go.