Mount Fuji isn’t the only impressive mountain Japan has to offer. In fact, if you’re located in Kyūshū, there is an impressive example of nature’s force right in front of your doorstep: Mount Aso (阿蘇山)

Mount Aso is the largest active volcano in Japan, and is among the largest in the world. It stands in Aso Kujū National Park in Kumamoto Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu. Its peak is 1,592 metres above sea level. Mt. Aso has a fairly large caldera with a circumference of around 120 km, although sources vary on the exact distance.

The central cone group of Aso consists of five peaks: Mt. Neko, Mt. Taka, Mt. Naka, Mt. Eboshi, and Mt. Kishima. The highest point is the summit of Mt. Taka, at 1592 meters above sea level. The crater of Mt. Naka, the west side of which is accessible by road, contains an active volcano which continuously emits smoke and has occasional eruptions. Only the northernmost crater (the first crater has been active for the last 70 years. 

The present Aso caldera formed as a result of four huge caldera eruptions occurring over a range of 90,000–300,000 years ago. The caldera, one of the largest in the world, contains the city of Aso as well as Aso Takamori-cho and South Aso-mura. The somma enclosing the caldera extends about 18 km east to west and about 25 km north to south. Viewpoints from the somma overlooking the caldera are perched upon lava formed before the volcanic activity which created the present caldera. Ejecta from the huge caldera eruption 90,800 years ago covers more than 600 km3 and roughly equals the volume of Mount Fuji; it is presumed that the pyroclastic flow plateau covered half of Kyushu.

Recently, the number of tourists visiting the area from Asian countries has been increasing. Previously, visitors could not drive their own vehicles up to the crater, but recently a car park was built a minute’s walk away. The Mount Aso Ropeway also provides access. At the foot of the mountain there are also various campsites, and horse riding at Kusasenrigahama. Modern poetry has been written about the beautiful scenery at Kusasenrigahama, which has been designated a place of scenic beauty, or natural monument.

Because Mount Aso is a volcano, there are many onsen hot springs in the area. There are two hot springs within the crater that are associated with Aso Kujū National Park.

Mount Aso is one of the most impressive spots to visit on the whole island of Kyūshū, maybe you should think about a daytrip to the volcano this spring!