Aso

Aso is a city in Kumamoto Prefecture that lies close to Mt. Aso, and active volcano that is also one of the largest in the world. Visitors will be enthralled by its five active peaks - one of which is Mt. Nakadake, whose immense crater is accessible either by car or by the Mount Aso Ropeway. 

Near Mt. Nakadake is Kusasenri, a grassy plain where visitors can see cows and horses graze.

Due to the city's volcanic activity, hot springs are aplenty and two towns, in particular, are popular among tourists. Uchinomaki Hot Spring and Kurokawa Onsen have traditional outdoor baths, and the latter is especially crowded with its traditional architecture and abundance of ryokans.