Jun 26, 2017 - 2 min read

Kyushu's Mount Aso

Smoking hot!

By Steve Morton

Community writer

The main crater is famous for constantly venting its thick smoke

Situated within the Aso-Kuju National Park, Mount Aso sits on the world’s largest active crater

The barren and rocky environment is one of the first things to grab your attention

A Jizo statue placed at the main entrance of Mount Aso’s main crater

Even before the huge eruption in 2016, tourists with breathing difficulties were warned against visiting Mount Aso because of its high sulphur content

The barren and rocky landscape looks like a scene from a Martian set

Naka-dake; one of the 5 peaks that makes up Mount Aso

Whether viewed from close or afar, Mount Aso is an impressive sight

Despite the current restriction zone you can still get some amazing views of this impressive volcano

Making international news after erupting on 8^th October 2016, Kyushu's Mount Aso once again reminded the world that it isn’t called Japan's largest active volcano for just any reason! Although referred to as Mount Aso, this volcano is actually made up of five craggy peaks with Naka-daka being the most famous for venting its constant thick clouds of smoke. Whilst most visitors only make it as far as Naka-dake, it is usually possible to see all of Aso’s five peaks via a hiking trail which takes about 90 minutes to complete.

However, because of last year’s eruption, there is currently a one kilometer exclusion zone around the main peak effecting most of this hiking trail.

Fortunately, it is still possible to see Mount Aso from relatively close by as it sits on a giant caldera blessed with many excellent hiking courses offering the chance to get some spectacular views of this beautiful yet deadly volcano.

Several weeks prior to this eruption, I was able to walk around Mount Aso's five main creators and witness the full beauty of this natural wonder. Current information on danger levels and downloadable walking maps can be found on www.aso.ne.jp. and www.city.aso.kumamoto.jp