June has arrived, bringing the rainy season to Aso. While outdoor adventures are always one of the best ways to experience the area, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy and learn about Aso-Kuju National Park, even on rainy days.
Recently, my children and I started taking part in the “Aso-Kuju National Park Stamp Rally”.
阿蘇くじゅう国立公園オリジナル重ね押しスタンプラリー 「遊印めぐり」について | 九州地方環境事務所 | 環境省
The Spring & Summer Rally runs from April 1 to September 30, followed by an Autumn & Winter Rally from October 1 to March 31. Participants can collect stamps at five visitor centers located throughout the national park.
What makes this stamp rally unique is that the stamps are layered on top of each other to create a single colorful illustration. Each location adds a new element to the artwork, gradually revealing the final design.
I had been interested in trying it for a while, and after hiking Mt. Eboshi during the peak season for the beautiful Miyama Kirishima flowers, we finally collected our first stamp at the Aso Sanjo Visitor Center inside the Aso Volcano Museum.
The moment my children saw the design begin to appear, they were hooked.
Just a few days later, we headed to our second location, Kikuchi Gorge.
After adding the second stamp, the picture transformed again. The original design featuring Mt. Aso, grazing animals, and local wildlife was joined by flowing water and butterfly motifs inspired by Kikuchi Gorge. Watching the artwork grow with each stop was surprisingly exciting.
My youngest child looked at the new design and said,
“I think Kikuchi Gorge must be proud of its water and butterflies!”
I loved that observation. The stamps are not only fun to collect—they also reflect the character of each area within Aso-Kuju National Park.
Of course, collecting stamps is enjoyable, but our family decided on one simple rule:
Don’t rush to collect stamps—enjoy each destination along the way.
So rather than driving from stamp to stamp, we spent time walking through Kikuchi Gorge, observing birds, insects, and the beautiful forest scenery before heading home.
What I especially like about this rally is how it encourages visitors to explore different parts of Aso-Kuju National Park. Each visitor center introduces a different aspect of the park, from its volcanic landscape and grasslands to its forests, wildlife, and waterways.
Of course, not everyone will have time to visit all five locations during a single trip. Even collecting just one or two stamps can become a meaningful memory of your visit, while offering a glimpse into the many faces of Aso-Kuju National Park.
The artwork looks beautiful at every stage, so there is no need to complete the entire rally to enjoy the experience.
If you’re planning a trip to Aso, why not join the “Aso-Kuju National Park Stamp Rally?
Happy travels and enjoy discovering Aso-Kuju National Park at your own pace!
Kana
