On the edge of a caldera – Northern Mountain Restaurant and Daikanbo Lookout

5 November 2024 Driving along the Aso Skyline Highway is a “must do” on a road trip in Kyushu. It is a 45 kilometer route that winds along the mountain ridge of the Aso Outer Mountain Ring. Renowned for its stunning panoramic views, this scenic route provides many opportunities to experience the natural beauty of the region. The road is actually on the northern edge of the Aso Caldera. A caldera...

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Our stay at Minshuku Asogen in Mount Aso and viewing the One Piece Statue of Usopp

5 and 6 November 2024 I told my family that we would be staying overnight in a hotel inside a volcano’s caldera. Their first reaction was “Huh, is it safe?” Yes but…. anything could happen. Volcanoes are unpredictable. Aso Caldera was formed 90,000 years ago in a massive volcanic eruption. The super eruption released so much magma and with such force that the land beneath caved in, creating a giant...

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Visiting Mount Aso – Komezuka, active volcano Mount Nakadake and Kusasenri grassland

8 November 2024 We stayed overnight at Minshuku Asogen located in Aso City so that we could visit Mount Aso and its volcanos in the morning. From Minshuku Asogen, we followed the directions given by Google Maps but could not find the inconspicuous turn-off from Highway 57. After a few unsuccessful attempts, going up and down Highway 57, we decided to ditch the route Google Maps recommended and just...

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