ACCESSGeotourism

KyushuAccess to Aso Geopark from each prefecture in Kyushu,Japanrism Cou
tourseoGCityCCourse map

The Land of AsoVolcano and theLives of Its Peoplee

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

Blessings of theAso Volcano~ Ancient life and Water~

CityCity

The 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 kmCity

north-south in width. In the caldera are the five peaks of Mt.
Aso: Mt. Takadake, Mt. Nekodake, Mt. Kijimadake, Mt.

Eboshidake, and the still-fuming Mt.Nakadake. There also lie

Cityvolcanic clusters consisting of various mountains. A plain◎Memories of eruptions engravedin the grand caldera

spreads at the foot of the mountain range from north tosouth. Surrounding the plain and volcanic clusters, the outerCity

rims 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. Andnature 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 of
Science 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

N南小国町

Minami-Oguni Town

赤馬場
Akababa

産山村

UbuyamaVillage

0500

1000

1500

rism Cou
rstouoe

2000m

阿蘇市

Ce

長者原温泉郷 ●Chojabaru Hot Spring Village

G小国町

Oguni Town

Aso City

南阿蘇村

西原村

Nishihara
Village

満願寺
Manganji Temple

高森町

Minami-Aso
Village

TakamoriTown

小国郷温泉（黒川温泉）
Ogunigo Area Hot Spring (Kurokawa Hot Spring)
●

▲

久住山
Mt. Kujyu

黒川
Kurokawa
三愛高原ホテル ●Sanai Kogen Hotel
瀬の本高原
Senomoto Highland

山都町

Yamato Town

●池山水源

南小国町

Minami-Oguni Town

押戸石
Oshito-ishi

6 うぶやま民宿村Ubuyama Farm Village

阿蘇スカイライン
Aso Skyline●

阿蘇ゆたっと村Aso Yutatto-mura●展望所Lookout

阿蘇観光牧場
Aso Tourism Ranch

ハイ Yamanami Roadウェ
イエルパティオ牧場
El Patio Ranch

古代の里
Kodai-no-sato

大観峰
Daikanbo

Ubuyama Village

み●

産山村

やまな●

11スポーツ公園
Sports Park●

4 国造神社
Kokuzo Shrine

はな阿蘇美Hana-Asobi●

内牧温泉
三久保 Uchinomaki Hot Spring
Mikubo●Abundant underwater gushes forth from the ground, which is composed of deposited volcanicash, lava and pyroclastic flows from past eruptions. By visiting headsprings and venerable
shrines, let us cast a spotlight on people’s lives that have been inherited by generations sinceancient times.

3JR Aso Station / Michi-no-eki Aso
15 min.

Aso Shrine

ヒゴタイ公園Higotai Park

Ikeyama Fountainhead
花の温泉館 Hana-no Onsen-kan

Blessings of the Aso Volcano~ Ancient life and Water~

START

15●

2Aso City

410min.

5 min.

うぶやま牧場

米塚 Komezuka▲

Ubuyama Ranch

▲

凡例

OGe

●仙酔峡
Sensuikyo Gorge

Legend

案内所
Information

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

バス / バスのりば
Bus / Bus StopAS

Twelve deities, including “Takeiwatatsuno-mikoto”, areenshrined here. It is an old imperial shrine that has morethan 500 branch shrines nationwide. Six structures,
namely the First Shinden or sanctuary, the Second
Shinden, the Third Shinden, Romon Gate, Miyukimon
Gate, and Kangyomon Gate are designated as importantnational cultural assets.

2

往生岳
Mt. Ojodake

ot our i sms ofPlace tsintere

滝Waterfall
公園ParkJR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

Enjoy country style in a pastureland

Greeted by a variety of flowers in each season

In the vast ranch with awindmill, you can mingle withanimals, make ice cream, andtry horseback riding. You canalso enjoy red cattle beefdishes in the restaurant.

Hot spring facility in an idyllicrural setting in Ubuyama
Village. You can enjoy various
kinds of hot spring baths suchas open-air bath, herb bath,cold spring, or sauna.

Ubuyama Ranch［TEL］0967-25 -2900

Hana-no-onsen-kan［TEL］0967-25-2341

30 min.

Ikeyama Fountainhead

UbuyamaVillage

5 min.

Ubuyama Farm Village

UbuyamaVillage

Hayamikatamano-mikoto, who is the first son of
Takeiwatatsuno-mikoto, and three other deities areenshrined in this venerable shrine. Situated in the northof Aso Shrine, it is also called
Kitamiya (North Shrine).
“Teno-no-Osugi (large cedarin Teno), which was once astate natural monument, ispreserved.

阿蘇やまなみ GC
Aso Yamanami GC ●阿蘇やまなみリゾートホテル ●Aso Yamanami Resort Hotel
3 中通古墳群 Nakodori Tumulus Cluster

阿蘇リゾートグランヴィリオホテル
Aso Resort Grandvrio Hotel

Aso City

Kokuzo Shrine
4 （AsoCity）

産山村役場
Ubuyama Village Hall

道の駅波野 ●
一の宮町 Ichinomiya Town
2 宮地・
役犬原地区湧水群
Michi-no-eki Namino
ClusterofSprings
inMiyajiandYakuinbaru
District
Aso City
阿蘇市役所
小地野
農村公園あぴか阿蘇黄土●●
Aso City Hall
Shyochino
Farming Village Park Apika
Aso Yellow Soil
1 阿蘇神社（Aso Odo）●
阿蘇中央高校
ASO田園空間博物館
うちのまき
Aso ShrineAso Chuo Senior High School
乙姫 Uchinomaki Sta. Aso Den en Kukan Eco Museum Office●
熊本県阿蘇総合庁舎
Otohime
道の駅阿蘇●Kumamoto Prefecture Aso General OfficeMichi-no-eki Aso ● START
JR 豊肥本線
JR Hohi Main Line坂梨
なみのあそ Aso Sta.
みやじ
いこいのむら
Namino Sta.
●Sakanashi
Miyaji Sta.
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
阿蘇いこいの村 かんぽの宿阿蘇
Aso Ikoi-no-mura Kanpo-no-yado Aso
Kosugi Resort Aso Highland GC

Kokuzo Shrine

AsoShrine
1 （AsoCity）● Transportation : private car or rental car● Time required : 4~5 hr.

Aso City

5 min.

6●●

5Nakadori Tumulus Cluster

Cluster of Springs in
Aso City
Miyaji and Yakuinbaru District

阿蘇市●Stromboli Phenomenon

Ikeyama Fountainhead
5 （UbuyamaVillage）

Cluster of Springs inMiyaji and Yakuinbaru District（Aso City）
In the wide area ranging from
Miyaji to Yakuinbaru, there are anumber of springheads. The water
is considered to be replenishedmainly on the northern hillside of
the central volcanic cones, which isutilized for daily life and irrigation.

Nakadori Tumulus Cluster
3 （AsoCity）
The largest cluster of ancientburial mounds dot a paddy fieldarea in the northeast of Aso
Valley, where Kurokawa River andits tributary, Higashidakegawa
River meet. There are 12 burial mounds, including
zenpokoenfun (keyhole-shaped tumulus) and roundbarrows, which are thought to have been constructed in
the first half of the 5th century.

Ikeyama Fountainhead is one of the ‘top 100 waters’ inJapan, selected by the Ministry of the Environment. The
water temperature is 13.5 ℃ and the volume of spring is
as abundant as 30 tons per minute. The spring waterbecomes the Tamaraigawa River and flows into theOnogawa River, which runs into Beppu Bay in Oita
Prefecture.

Ubuyama Farm Village
6 （UbuyamaVillage）“Ubuyama Farm Village” wasinitiated by local farmers whoentertained tourists with homemade
dishes at their farm houses. Visitors
can enjoy a variety of local cuisinewith more than 30 kinds of pickles
and red cattle beef which arelovingly prepared by farm wives.