Since August 14 (Fri.), the volcanic alert level for Mt. Aso’s Nakadake Crater has been raised to Level 3. This means that access to areas within 2 km of the active crater is restricted for safety reasons.
During Level 3, Mt. Nakadake and Mt. Takadake are off-limits. However, you can still access Mt. Eboshidake and Mt. Kishimadake from the Kusasenri parking lot.
I would also like to introduce another trekking route that is farther from the active volcano, but offers beautiful views of the Aso caldera and grasslands.
Tawarayama is a great alternative while Nakadake and Takadake are inaccessible. But it is not just an alternative for the current situation. Even after the alert level goes down and Nakadake and Takadake become accessible again, Tawarayama is well worth adding to your Aso trekking list.
If you are staying in Aso for a couple of days, why not enjoy a different side of the Aso landscape on your second day?
Mt. Tawara View Park ~ Tawarayama summit
About 3 hours round trip
Even if you are not a serious trekker, you can enjoy a great view from Mt. Tawara view park, the starting point of the trail.
From the observatory, you can look out over the southern part of the Aso caldera and the Aso volcanic mountain range.
As you hike toward the summit, the scenery keeps changing — open grasslands, the caldera, Aso Akaushi cattle grazing in the fields, forests, and, if you are lucky, wild deer.
From the summit, you can even see Kumamoto Airport and Kumamoto City, as well as the Ariake Sea and Mt. Unzen in Nagasaki on a clear day.
In autumn, the trail is especially beautiful, when the grasslands turn golden with pampas grass.
Add Tawarayama to your Aso trekking list!
Note: Mt.Tawara View Park is not accessible by public transportation. A car is required to reach the trailhead.
Kana
