Hi, I’m Shenny!
Today I went on a summer day trip through Minamiaso (South Aso) with Oliver-san and Belle. What seemed like a simple outing—visiting a shrine, dipping our feet in cold spring water, trying traditional food, and ending with ice cream—turned into an unexpectedly refreshing, hands-on adventure for the body and soul.
⛩ Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine｜Walk into a Thousand-Year-Old Spiritual “Power Spot”
Located in Takamori Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine is said to have been founded in 447 AD, making it a sacred site with over a thousand years of history. It enshrines deities linked to both Kumano beliefs and local volcano worship.
The shrine path is lined with 97 stone lanterns and towering cedars, forming a mystical green tunnel. Covered in moss and echoing with birdsong, the stone steps feel like a portal to another realm.
Further uphill beyond the main shrine, you’ll find the famous “Heart-Piercing Rock” (穿心岩)—a secluded spiritual spot said to bring good luck in love, health, and academics. Reaching it requires a short but slightly steep hike, adding to its mystique and sense of pilgrimage.
📍 Access: Free parking available at the base of the shrine. Wear walking shoes and bring water—especially in summer.
💧 Shirakawa Springs｜Nature’s Air Conditioner: 14°C Water that Numbs Your Feet
Next, we visited Shirakawa Suigen, one of Japan’s top 100 famous water springs. Flowing at 60 tons per minute and a constant 14°C (57°F), this pure spring water is not only drinkable but also perfect for cooling off.
There are areas where you can fill up your bottle or soak your feet in the downstream flow. The moment I stepped into the water, the summer heat vanished. Belle even shouted, “This is too cold!”—but that icy touch was pure relief in 30°C heat.
We also stopped by A-to Washi Kobo Hakusui, a nearby local craft shop offering handmade washi paper experiences and postcards. I bought a Kumamoto-themed towel—super absorbent and fast-drying, perfect after splashing around.
🍢 Traditional Dengaku Lunch in Takamori｜Miso-Grilled Skewers in a 200-Year-Old Farmhouse
Minamiaso is known for Dengaku, a farmhouse-style meal where local ingredients are skewered, brushed with miso, and slowly grilled over charcoal. We had lunch in a 200-year-old thatched-roof house, with no air conditioning—just fans and wet towels.
The set meal included taro, tofu, river trout, seasonal vegetables, and miso soup, with options like yuzu or sansho pepper miso. My favorite was the side dish Dago-jiru—a hearty miso soup with local veggies and chewy wheat dumplings.
Yes, it was hot—almost like training in a sauna. But that only made the flavors more memorable. Even in summer, this traditional meal is worth trying for a taste of true countryside hospitality.
🍦 Natural Soft-Serve at Minamiaso｜No Additives, Just Pure Aso Milk and Real Fruit
Our final stop was at the “Minamiaso Shizenha Soft” ice cream stand, located in Michi-no-Eki Aso Bou no Sato Kugino. Their soft-serve is made from Aso milk, free from preservatives and artificial flavors—just clean, creamy sweetness.
We tried the seasonal blueberry flavor, which had chunks of real fruit blended into the rich milk base. Light, refreshing, and not overly sweet—just what we needed to end the day. Tickets can be purchased at the vending machine with Japanese yen.
🌿 Why You Should Visit Minamiaso in Summer
Summer in Japan may be hot, but that’s exactly why a place like Minamiaso stands out. The cool spring water, warming flavors of miso, and quiet forest trails make for a sensory-rich, full-body experience.
It’s a compact itinerary, but each stop delivers lasting memories: walk, soak, eat, chill. If you’re the kind of traveler who loves slow travel and authentic experiences, don’t miss adding Minamiaso to your Kumamoto itinerary.
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