ACCESSGeotourism

KyushuAccess to Aso Geopark from each prefecture in Kyushu,JapanDCity

The Land of AsoVolcano and theLives of Its Peoplee

We introduce geotourism basedon three themes to comprehensively
show the attractions of Aso Geopark

Course maprism Cou
tou
rseoG

City

Geography createdby the Volcano andLives of People

CityThe Aso Caldera is situated in central Kyushu, Japan. It is
one of the largest calderas in the world, covering a total areaof 350 k㎡ and measuring 18 km east-west and 25 kmCitynorth-south in width. In the caldera are the five peaks of Mt.
Aso: Mt. Takadake, Mt. Nekodake, Mt. Kijimadake, Mt.

CityEboshidake, and the still-fuming Mt.Nakadake. There also lie
volcanic clusters consisting of various mountains. A plain◎Memories of eruptions engravedin the grand caldera

spreads at the foot of the mountain range from north toCitysouth. Surrounding the plain and volcanic clusters, the outerrims form a gently-sloping pyroclastic plateau. This unique

The world-class caldera is the symbol of Aso Geopark. Unique landfeatures and strata have been formed by considerable volcanic
activities over the past 270,000 years and by a great eruption that
occurred 90,000 years ago. Visitors will learn about such
geographical information as well as influences of the eruption onvarious places in Japan through geosites.

geography is formed by the Aso volcano, which has displayed

repeated volcanic activities since approximately 270,000 years
ago. The major theme of Aso Geopark is to provide visitors

阿蘇は、生きている。

Aso is alive!

◎Nakadake Crater: Feeling the breathof the earth

Among the volcanic clusters in thecaldera, Nakadake Crater is highlighted
because of its repeated and substantial
volcanic activities from prehistoric times
until the present. We will show you theunique landscape and ecology around
Nakadake Crater, and the lives ofpeople who live in symbiosis with theactive volcano.

with information about theCar

geological history of the Aso

volcano and its relation to thelives of people: how they haveenjoyed the bounties of theA journey across time and space, experiencing
the land of Aso and the lives of those who dwellin the shadow of the volcano.

earth, engaged in theirlivelihood, and developed aunique culture and landscape.

■What is the “Geopark” ?
By observing the earth and nature scientifically, we define a◎Blessings of the volcanic mountainand people’s lives

place of scientific importance as a geopark, where many
valuable and beautiful natural heritages exist such as strata,
rocks, topography, volcano, and faults. A geopark values

People who live side by side with a
volcano have explored ways to livein harmony with nature in awe ofthe volcano, and developed theirown culture and lifestyle. And
nature has brought them abundant
blessings like spring water and hotsprings which are commonly foundin volcanic regions.

conservation and utilization of geological heritages. It is a place[Aso Geopark Promotion Council] Kumamoto Prefecture, Aso City, Minami-Oguni Town, Oguni Town, Ubuyama Village,Takamori Town, Minami-Aso Village, Nishihara Village, Yamato Town, Aso Eco Tourism Association, National Aso YouthFriendship Center, Aso Den’en kukan Eco Museum Office, Aso Museum, Namino Plateau Yasuragi Recreation and RestCenter, Aso Nature Guide Association, Aso Tanibito Eco Museum, Aso Park Volunteers Association, Aso City Tourism
Association, Minami-Oguni Town Tourism Association, Oguni Tourism Association, Ubuyama Village Tourism Association,Takamori Town Tourism Association, Minami-Aso Village Tourism Association, Yamato Town Tourism Association, Aso
Volcano Museum, Kumamoto University, Aso Volcanological Laboratory Institute for Geothermal Sciences Graduate School ofScience Kyoto University, Kumamoto Geosciences Association, Kumamoto Geotechnical Consultants Association, Aso
Nature Conservation Group, Natural Parks Foundation Aso Branch, Aso Green Stock Foundation, Aso Design Center Foundation, Aso Junior Chamber of Commerce, Kumamoto 21, Japan Limonite Co., Ltd.

for people to become familiar with “geo” (the earth), learn about
its history and mechanisms, and think about its relation toecology as well as human life through natural heritages including
the culture of the people in the area. Geoparks are promoted
around the world by the Global Geoparks Network（GGN）,

Aso Geopark Promotion Council

Aso Volcanic Museum 1F, 1930-1 Akamizu, Aso City, Kumamoto prefecture 869-2232 Japan.
HP : http://www.aso-geopark.jp/E-mail : info@aso-geopark.jp

which was established in 2004 and is supported by UNESCO.

平成24年度環境省地域コーディネーター活用事業●阿蘇スカイライン
Aso SkylineN
0500

1000

15002000m

Minami-Oguni Town

産山村

UbuyamaVillage

菊池水源
Kikuchi Headspring

阿蘇市

Aso City

西原村

NishiharaVillage

●

●

北山展望所
Kitayama Lookout

高森町

Minami-Aso
Village

●●

●山都町

阿蘇市

●

四季の里旭志Shikino-sato
Kyokushi

Aso City

阿蘇黄土
Aso Yellow Soil
（Aso Odo）

矢護山
Mt. Yago▲

いちのかわ
Ichinokawa Sta.

赤水Akamizu

阿蘇くまもと空港
Aso Kumamoto Airport

肥後 CC ●
Higo CC
阿蘇グリーンヒル CC
Aso Green Hill CC

小森Komori●

西原村役場
Nishihara Village Hall

高遊原台地

Takayubaru Plateau

お池さん ●
Oike-san●Ayugaerinotaki Falls

俵山トンネル
Tawarayama Tunnel
俵山バイパスTawarayama Bypass
扇坂展望所
Ogizaka Lookout
●

●

凡例

ASO

地獄温泉 Jigoku Hot Spring

南阿蘇村

Choyo Sta.

Minami-Aso Village

かせKase Sta.

Konokayu●●

ロープウェイ
Ropeway

温泉
Hot Spring

博物館/美術館
Museum

水源
Springパソコン
PC Facilities

駐車場
Parking

ゴルフ場
Golf Course

ホテル / 宿泊施設
Hotel / Accommodation

史跡Historic Site

鉄道 / 鉄道駅
Railway / Railway Station

レンタル電動アシスト付き自転車
Electric Bicycle Rental

郵便局
Post Oﬃce

展望地 / 景勝地
Viewpoint

キャンプ場
Camp Site

レンタカー
Car Rental

キャッシュサービス
Cash Service

神社
Shrineレストラン
Restaurant

ot our i sms ofPlace ts
intereAsobo-no-sato Kugino● Transportation: private car or rental car● Time required:4~5 hr.

Volcano and1 Omine
Takayubaru Plateau（Nishihara Village）

3 南阿蘇村湧水群

Tawarayama Lookout
2 （Minami-AsoVillage）

56

Cluster of Springs in
Minami-Aso District

Minami-Aso
VillageAyugaerinotaki Falls

Minami-Aso
Village20 min.

5 min.
Minami-Aso
Village

Tateno Gorge
15 min.

Jigoku andTarutama Hot Springs

Minami-Aso
VillageAyugaerinotaki Falls
4 （Minami-AsoVillage）
This is a 20 m high and 30 mwide waterfall flowing from
Shirakawa River in thesouthern part of the Asocaldera. The stratum thatcreates the waterfall iscomposed of basaltic lava,
which is considered tohave been formed soonafter the caldera formation.
We can see the riverbed of
the same kind of rock at the upper stream of thewaterfall, and a deep gorge downstream.

Tateno Gorge
5 （Minami-AsoVillage）

Cluster of Springs in Minami-Aso District●

Asobo-no-sato Kugino あそしらかわ

Aso-shirakawa Sta.

●白川水源Shirakawa Fountainhead
あそ望の郷 久石 Hisaishi 四季の森
くぎのShiki-no-mori Hot Spring●アスペクタAsobo-no-sato Kugino Outdoor Therter
Aspecta

案内所
Information

Ge

阿蘇白水温泉瑠璃Aso-Hakusui Hot Spring Ruri

Aso-shimodajo-fureai-onsen Sta.
なかまつ
みなみあそ
Nakamatsu Sta.
みずのうまれるさとはくすいこうげん
Minami-Aso
Mizu-no-umareru-sato
Hakusui Kogen Sta.

南阿蘇 GC ●Minami-Aso GC●
南阿蘇村久木野庁舎
Minami-Aso Village Kugino OfficeComprehensive tourist facility with agrandstand view of the central volcanic cones

Minami-AsoVillage

10 min.

Omine Volcano was formed right before the present huge
caldera was made. During the process of volcano
formation, a large amount of lava flowed and created alava plateau, which became Takayubaru Plateau. Today,
the highland is used as Aso Kumamoto Airport.

みなみあそしらかわすいげん

Minami-Aso
Shirakawa
Suigen Sta.

Legendバス / バスのりば
Bus / Bus Stop

Tawarayama Lookout

30min.

砂千里ヶ浜
Sunasenri-ga-hama

6

蘇 Minami-Aso Railway
鉄道
ちょうよう

らくのうマザーズ阿蘇ミルク牧場
Rakuno Mothers Aso Milk Farm
グランドチャンピオン GC
Grand Champion GC

NishiharaVillage

●

▲

●

西原村

Omine Volcano andTakayubaru Plateau▲●

南阿蘇村総合福祉温泉センターウィナス 烏帽子岳
Tateno Gorge
Mt. Eboshidake
Minami-Aso Village●Sogo Fukushi Onsen Center Winas
南阿蘇村長陽庁舎
Tarutama Hot Spring
垂玉温泉
Minami-Aso Village choyo office ●Nishihara Village

225 min.

4

阿蘇山
Mt. Aso
中岳
Mt. Nakadake

湯ノ谷温泉
草千里ヶ浜
Yunotani Hot Spring Kusasenri-ga-hama

2 俵山展望所
俵山交流館 Tawarayama 久木野温泉 木の香湯
あそしもだじょう
Kugino Hot Spring▲ Lookout
萌の里
ふれあいおんせん

Tawarayama Visitors 俵山
Mt. Tawara
大峯火山 Center Moe-no-sato
Omine Volcano● 青少年の森風の里
Seishonenn-no-mori Kaze-no-sato●阿蘇いこいの村
Aso Ikoi-no-mura

みつばち牧場
杵島岳
Mitsubachi Farm
Mt. Kijimadake▲● くまもと阿蘇 GC
Kumamoto Aso GC
阿蘇火山博物館
Aso Volcano Museum ●5 立野峡谷南阿白川
The Shirakawa RiverSTART●●東海大学●Tokai University

阿蘇東急ＧＣ
Aso Tokyu GC

4 鮎返りの滝

大峯火山と高遊原台地 1Omine Volcano and Takayubaru Plateau

●

3

▲

●

たてのTateno Sta.

せたSeta Sta.

運動公園
Atheletic Park●

阿蘇大橋
Aso-ohashi Bridge

瀬田Seta●引水 Hikimizu●

陣内Jinnai

阿蘇ファームランド
Aso Farm Land

南阿蘇鉄道トロッコ列車
Minami-Aso Railway Trolley Train

あそ Aso Sta. いこいのむらIkoi-no-mura Sta.

●

阿蘇カドリードミニオン
Aso Cuddly Dominion
コスギリゾート
阿蘇ハイランド GC
Kosugi Resort Aso Highland GC●

阿蘇リゾートグランヴィリオホテル
Aso Resort Grandvrio Hotel● 阿蘇 GC
Aso GC
米塚 Komezuka
阿蘇猿まわし劇場
往生岳▲
Aso Monkey-Showman Theater
Mt. Ojodake●

肥後大津 GC
Higo-Ozu GC

農村公園あぴかFarming Village Park Apika●あかみず
Akamizu Sta.

Ozu Town ミルクロード入口
Entrance to Milk Road
道の駅大津
● Michi-no-eki Ozu
ひごおおづ

●

うちのまき ASO田園空間博物館
乙姫 Uchinomaki Sta. Aso Den en Kukan Eco Museum Office
Otohime
道の駅阿蘇JR 豊肥本線
Michi-no-eki Aso ●JR Hohi Main Line的石Matoishi

大津町1

阿蘇市

阿蘇牧場 ●
Aso Farm

Lava and pyroclastic flows generated by eruptions have formed various land features, andpeople have taken advantage of such features in their livelihood. Through observing the landfeatures in this course, you can witness the wisdom of the lifestyle developed by the localpeople.

Aso Kumamoto Airport●ツームシ山
Mt. Tsumushi ▲D

Geography created by the Volcano and Lives of People

START

内牧温泉
三久保 Uchinomaki Hot Spring
MikuboミルクロードMilk Road▲

阿蘇観光牧場
Aso Tourism
Ranch

はな阿蘇美
Hana-Asobi

かぶと岩
Kabuto-iwa (rock)

Aso City

鞍岳
Mt. Kuratake

展望所Lookout●大観峰
Daikanbo

Takamori
TownYamato Town

Higo-Ozu Sta.

阿蘇ゆたっと村Aso Yutatto-murarism Courstouoee

南小国町

菊池高原 CC Kikuchi Kogen CC● 菊池渓谷 Kikuchi Gorge

G小国町

Oguni Town

南阿蘇村

Stromboli Phenomenon

滝Waterfall
公園
Park

JR豊肥本線
JR Hohi Line
南阿蘇鉄道
Minami Aso Railway Line
ジオツーリズムコース
Geotourism Course

Delicious food from nature’s bounty in Aso

Tawarayama Visitors Center “Moe-no-sato”

This is a comprehensive facility
for tourists, which contains
restaurants of local cuisine andshops of local products. You canenjoy the local specialty beef at
the restaurant Akaushi-no-yakata .

This is an experience-based facility forvisitors, which is located in Nishihara
Village. This is a place to enjoy thedelicacies of Aso, where a full arrayof local products, garden-fresh
vegetables, manju (steamed buns),
and boxed lunches are available.

［TEL］0967-67-3010［TEL］096-292-2211

It is a marvelous geopoint that commands a panoramic viewof southern Aso. You can observe idyllic rural scenery
stretching in the caldera and its unique topography. Emperor
Hirohito stood at this spot to have a view of Aso on theoccasion of a tree-planting ceremony in 1985.

The only place where there is a gap in the wall of AsoCaldera. The gap is made by faults which runs through thegorge or erosion. The gap had been buried by lava several
times, and in such time a lake was formed in the caldera.

Jigoku and Tarutama Hot Springs
6 （Minami-AsoVillage）

of Springs in3 Cluster
Minami-Aso District （Minami-Aso Village）

Among the headsprings here whichboast excellent quality water are
Shirakawa Headspring (one of the‘top 100 waters’ selected by theMinistry of the Environment),
Shioisha Fountainhead, Terasaka
Fountainhead, Yukisawazu Fountainhead, Ikenokawa
Fountainhead, Yosidajo-gokenjo-okumiyu, Myojin-ike Pond,and Takezaki Fountainhead. These are considered to beunderflow water of the central volcanic cones.

The hot spring resorts are located 700 m above sea levelon the southwest slope of the central volcanic cluster.
Jigoku Hot Spring is located in the explosion crater of Mt.
Yomine and has been popular as a therapeutic bath sincethe Edo Era. The name is said to have come from theexisting bare land where nothing grows due to volcanicgas (hellish place). Tarutama Hot Spring has been used by
local people since the Tensho Period (1573~1592).