Hi~My name is Wendy.This is the second time I’ve been to Aso,however everything here is new to me because I was too young when I last came here. I’m both excited and looking forward to it. Upon arriving at the airport, I encountered bus cancellations and delays due to rain. Fortunately, the local people were very kind and told me which bus to take and gave me many alternative options.
Since the bus service was cancelled, the staff suggested we shop and eat at the airport first. That’s when I saw Milksha, which also has a branch in Taiwan. A sense of familiarity instantly washed over me.
After arriving in Michinoeki, the supervisors gave us a brief explanation of what they did and how it operated. I learned that the fruits and vegetables here were picked that very morning, and the bento boxes were also prepared and delivered that same morning – incredibly fresh!
Finally, we arrived at our dormitory. Although it was small, it was very cozy. There was even a place to cook and chat, as well as a balcony with a panoramic view of the mountains in front. The owner even thoughtfully drew a weather reminder for the guests.
I don’t know if it was because I was too excited, but I woke up around six o’clock the next morning. After having breakfast, I went for a walk and saw this adorable scene: elementary school students was going to school! It was so cute!
When we arrived at the workplace, the weather was so nice that Kumamon would come out for tourists to take photos. This place has become a must-visit spot for photos.
In the morning, our supervisor showed us around the work area. In the afternoon, we went for a walk nearby and saw many ancient trees, some over four hundred years old.
Then the next day I went to Daikanbo ,Daikannbo is a place that’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s located in Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and is approximately 936 meters above sea level. It takes about an hour to get there by bus from Michinoeki. On weekdays, you don’t usually go directly to the summit; it’s about a 2-kilometer walk from the station. So, if you’re planning to go on a weekday, you might want to consider this.
But this place is truly spectacular; you must go to the summit at least once, or you’ll definitely regret it. I was lucky this time because I went right after it rained, and the grasslands and forests looked like they’d been washed clean—super green and incredibly beautiful. Plus, because of the high altitude, the temperature was a few degrees lower than at the foot of the mountain. With the wind blowing and the scenery in the air, it was truly astonishing.
Today, July 9th, is a super meaningful day. A few days ago, I made a wish to my supervisor that I wanted to visit the Aso cheese-making process. This morning, my supervisor informed me that the weather was nice, so Hank san would take us there this afternoon.The scenery along the way was beautiful.
First, we visited a small antique shop next to the cheese factory. The items inside were very eye-catching, and I noticed that they were mostly made of wood.
We went to Fukunokami Daikokuten (福の神地蔨尊大菩萨) and learned that previous interns had come here to learn Japanese. The local residents were also very welcoming, constantly greeting us. It was so heartwarming!
Later, we went to a place where locals buy fruit. The elderly people there were all incredibly kind. When they heard we were from Taiwan, they were very welcoming. They said they also hoped to have the opportunity to visit Taiwan. Worried we might be too hot, they even gave us lemon-flavored electrolyte water, so nice~~
Finally, we visited the Aso cheese factory. I’d heard before that Aso’s milk and ice cream were delicious and rich, so I wanted to try them. I was blown away! It was truly the richest milk ice cream I’ve ever had in my life.
