Mt. Aso

Mt. Aso (阿蘇山, 1,592 m at Mt. Takadake) is an active volcano spanning Aso City and Minamiaso Village in Kumamoto Prefecture, and is counted among the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan. Its caldera — measuring 18 km east-west by 25 km north-south — is one of the largest in the world. The five central peaks (Aso Gogaku) at its centre are Takadake, Nakadake, Nekodake, Eboshidake, and Kishimadake. The smoke rising from the Nakadake crater seen from the summit of Takadake and the grassy plain of Kusasenri below define the Aso landscape. As of May 2026 the volcanic alert level is 1 (downgraded from 2 on 25 July 2025), but entry restrictions around the Nakadake crater remain in place — always check the Aso Volcano Disaster Prevention Council before visiting.

From JR Hōhi Main Line Aso Station, Kyushu Sanko Bus operates the “Aso Tozan Line” directly to Kusasenri and the Aso Mountain Top Terminal.

*Timetable last checked: May 18, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Aso Station → Kusasenri / Aso Mountain Top Terminal (Sanko Bus Aso Tozan Line)
2. [Return] Aso Mountain Top Terminal / Kusasenri → Aso Station (Sanko Bus Aso Tozan Line)

Course Times (Aso Mountain Top Terminal to Takadake out-and-back, approx. 4 hours)

Aso Mountain Top Terminal → (0:30) → Nakadake Crater East rim (detour if restricted) → (0:30) → Mt. Nakadake (1,506 m) → (0:40) → Mt. Takadake (1,592 m) → (0:30) → Nakadake → (0:50) → Aso Mountain Top Terminal
(Alternative) Kusasenri → (1:00) → Mt. Kishima (1,326 m) → (0:40) → Kusasenri (loop, approx. 2 hours)

1. [Outbound] Aso Station → Kusasenri / Aso Mountain Top Terminal (Sanko Bus Aso Tozan Line)

From JR Hōhi Main Line Aso Station, board Kyushu Sanko Bus’s “Aso Tozan Line” and alight at Kusasenri Aso Volcano Museum-mae (Kusasenri walks and Mt. Kishima trailhead) or the terminus Aso Mountain Top Terminal (Mt. Nakadake / Mt. Takadake trailhead). The journey is about 35 minutes; fare ¥650. Seven trips daily on weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Operating period: Year-round (suspended when the alert level is raised)
Travel time: Aso Stn → Kusasenri approx. 26 min | Aso Stn → Aso Mountain Top Terminal approx. 35 min
Fare: Aso Stn → Aso Mountain Top Terminal adult one-way ¥650 (contactless cards accepted)
Note: As of May 2026 the volcanic alert level is 1, but restrictions remain around the Nakadake crater. Always check the Aso Volcano Disaster Prevention Council for the latest information.

Reference:

Bus TimetableAso Station → Aso Mountain Top Terminal (Aso Tozan Line)

2. [Return] Aso Mountain Top Terminal / Kusasenri → Aso Station (Sanko Bus Aso Tozan Line)

After hiking, board the same Sanko Bus “Aso Tozan Line” from Aso Mountain Top Terminal or Kusasenri back to Aso Station. With 9 daily return trips, descent planning is flexible.

Operating period: Same as outbound (year-round)
Travel time: Aso Mountain Top Terminal → Aso Stn approx. 33 min
Fare: Aso Mountain Top Terminal → Aso Stn adult one-way ¥650

Bus TimetableAso Mountain Top Terminal → Aso Station (Aso Tozan Line)

Photo by Steve