Aso Station is the perfect place to gather information and secure transportation for travel around the vast Aso region.

Tourist information center and means of transportation
The Aso Information Center inside the station provides information on sightseeing in the entire Aso region, arranges accommodations, and offers dining recommendations, as well as other travel support. Bicycle rentals are also available, ideal for freely exploring the vast Aso region.

Aso's tourist attractions are dispersed across the region, but public transportation, with Aso Station as a base, is well-maintained.

Mt. Aso Nakadake Crater
You cannot travel to Aso and not stop to get a close look at the crater of the active volcano. From Aso Station, take the Aso Tozan Line bus to the Mt. Aso Sanjo Terminal (approximately 35 minutes), then transfer to a shuttle bus that will take you to the crater.
As Mt. Aso Nakadake is an active volcano, access around the crater may be restricted based on volcanic gas concentrations and Volcanic Alert Levels. Always check the latest restriction information before visiting.

Kusasenrigahama
This beautiful grassland stretching across the center of Mt. Aso offers horseback riding and magnificent views. To get there, get off at the Kusasenri bus stop on the Aso Tozan Line bus, which is the main public transportation option for heading toward the crater. It connects Aso Station, Kusasenri, and Mt. Aso Sanjo Terminal.

Aso Shrine
Aso Shrine has a history of over 2,000 years and is famous as the head shrine of worship on Mt. Aso. To get there, take the JR Hohi Main Line to Miyaji Station (approximately 10 minutes) from Aso Station, and you can access the shrine from there on foot. Take a stroll along the approach to Aso Shrine, where you will find the Monzenmachi Shopping Street, lined with delicious food and souvenir shops, and an alley that was recently developed around the shrine grounds.

The Aso region bustles with seasonal activities from spring to autumn and hosts various events around flowers, traditions, and nature.
During cherry blossom season (late March to early April), you can admire the mountain cherry blossoms at Isshingyo Park in Minamiaso Village and the senbonzakura cherry blossoms at Takamoritoge, where the popular Sakura Festival is held.
The Hifuri Shinji Fire-Swinging Ritual at Aso Shrine is a traditional event held in the spring to pray for a good harvest. It attracts many tourists every year. Usually held on March 13th, a fire is lit within the shrine grounds at night, and participants in the ritual light bundles of straw before swinging them around vigorously. Rings of fire illuminate the night sky, creating a mystical and majestic sight.

What to keep in mind during busy seasons
The Aso region tends to be crowded with tourists during Golden Week (late April to early May) and summer vacation (especially Obon). The Aso Tozan Line bus heading to the Mt. Aso Nakadake Crater and Kusasenri, as well as major roads, are especially congested. Those visiting without a car should use sightseeing buses and plan their schedule with ample time to travel.

To efficiently tour the vast Aso region, it is essential to plan your transportation strategy.

As it can be time-consuming to visit the vast Aso region by public transportation, we recommend taking a scheduled sightseeing bus that efficiently covers the region's major tourist attractions in a day.
We especially recommend the tours, which are mainly scheduled on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, to travelers who want to efficiently visit Aso's major scenic spots without a car. Please check the website for more information.

Transportation tickets are available for international visitors to the Aso region, allowing for cost-effective travel within Aso and the greater Kyushu region.

ALL KYUSHU PASS: A new way to travel Kyushu
The ALL KYUSHU PASS is a digital set pass combining travel on JR Kyushu trains, as well as buses and ferries, that was launched on November 1, 2024. It is exclusively available to international tourists and is valid for ten days in total. For example, you can use JR Kyushu trains for three consecutive days and buses and ferries for any other three consecutive days. This allows for flexible and efficient travel across Kyushu by combining trains and buses. Please visit the website for more information.

JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS: Travel freely on Kyushu railways
This pass, which is exclusively available to international visitors, offers unlimited rides on JR Kyushu's conventional lines, limited express trains, the Kyushu Shinkansen, and the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen (non-reserved seats in ordinary cars). The pass is available for a validity period of three, five, or seven consecutive days.
This pass is ideal for travelers who want to explore the vast Kyushu region by train, as it connects Kyushu's major cities and tourist spots at a great value. It can be purchased through overseas travel agencies or on the official website. It can also be used for railway travel in the Aso area. Please visit the website for more information.

Tour Aso and Minamiaso with Aso Minamiaso Travel Rail Bus
The Aso Minamiaso Travel Rail Bus digital ticket, ideal for travelers visiting the Aso and Minamiaso areas, is now available exclusively on the “My Route” app. This pass offers unlimited rides for 24 hours on the entire Minamiaso Railway line, the JR Higo-Ozu to Miyaji Station (or Tateno Station), and city buses within the area, depending on the set.
As it covers the main means of transportation, it makes traveling around Aso Shrine and Takamori Station extremely convenient. You can also receive special benefits when presenting your pass to designated facilities. We recommend this pass to travelers wishing to explore the beautiful Aso and Minamiaso areas efficiently and at a great value. The app is available in English, Traditional Chinese, and Korean, making it accessible for international visitors. Check the website for more information.

Aso Rakuraku Web Taxi, a reservation-based taxi service
Aso Rakuraku Web Taxi is a shared taxi service for tourists in the Aso region that requires reservations through the website or app at least a day before the trip (same-day reservations are not accepted). The taxis cover major tourist spots and accommodations within Aso, including JR Aso Station, Aso Shrine, Uchinomaki Onsen, and Aso Kumamoto Airport. You can travel within the covered area at a fixed price, which is a major attraction of the service.
With Aso Rakuraku Web Taxi, you can also easily travel to remote areas that are difficult to reach by public transportation, making it ideal for tourists who want to efficiently tour the Aso region. Please check the website for more information on how to use the service.

In Aso, you can feel the Earth’s vitality through the magnificent caldera, the powerful crater of the Nakadake active volcano, and the sacred atmosphere of the historic Aso Shrine. Despite its vastness, you can experience the area and its magnificent nature fully by using Aso Station as your base and making good use of scheduled tours and digital tickets. Be sure to prepare your trip to this special place by checking volcanic regulations and crowd levels before visiting.