Japan's Largest Active Volcano Is On Full Display During This Adventurous Road Trip

When visiting Japan, it's challenging to pick just one location to explore; the nation has so much to offer. One region that provides a little bit of everything far from the frenzied metropolitan regions of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, is the southern island province of Kyushu, home to Japan's largest active volcano, Mount Aso. Kyushu is Japan's third-largest island, with several major and well-known cities, including Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Nagasaki. Here, you'll find dazzling river gorges, rolling grasslands with blooming flowers, and geothermal mountainous wonders. Mount Aso is central to the island and truly massive — beating Mount Fuji by its overall size, but not by height.

Mount Aso and the Aso City region comprise a vast landscape featuring an enormous caldera that contains over 17 cones, with Nakadake being the most active. So active, that access to hiking trails sometimes closes when there's too much volcanic activity. Mount Aso is gargantuan, with the caldera's circumference spanning over 71 miles. The caldera of this volcano is inhabited by humans, with its boundless grasslands pastured by cattle, a practice that has been ongoing for over 1,300 years. The Aso Grasslands, often referred to as the "Millennium Grasslands," are the oldest in Japan and require a careful balance between nature and human intervention to exist as they do. They are recognized as part of the Aso UNESCO Global Geopark.

A stunning sight to witness within a larger, fantastical region, this road trip itinerary will take you to (and around) the incredible Mount Aso, from bustling cities to oceanside onsen towns. Spend a minimum of five days to accomplish this journey, or extend it out as much as 10 days to truly experience the magic of this region. You will witness natural wonders, sublime beauty, captivating culture, and fascinating history as you traverse this adventurous expedition.

This trip works best starting from the lively city of Fukuoka, which is relatively easy to access from the major metropolitan areas of Japan by train or regional flight. Once you arrive, you can rent a car from a reliable and popular rental agency found throughout Japan, including Fukuoka, Toyota Rent-A-Car. Once you have selected the vehicle you need, depending on your requirements and preferences, you can head out on your adventure in Kyushu around Mount Aso.

Your first stop, and a place worth staying a night, should be the hot spring town of Hita, nestled along the Mikuma River. The short one-hour drive between Fukuoka and Hita will wind out of the urban environment and into the dense cypress and cedar forests surrounding the town. Hita, often referred to as "little Kyoto," was once the cultural and economic center of Kyushu province, full of historic merchant shops, longtime onsens, and shrines that seem straight out of a fairytale. Some must-see places in Hita include the pristine Sakura Falls in the southern part of town. This waterfall is just a short 10-minute walk along a well-maintained path from the Amagase station in Hita. In no time, you will be surrounded by a lush evergreen forest enveloping the rocky cliff that comprises the immaculate, nearly 50-foot cascade.

While in the area, to witness more of the timeless culture, head to the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine. Here, you will make your way up steps lined by moss-covered stone lanterns and arches among tall cypress trees, leading to an ancient shrine. The exact age of this shrine is unknown, but it is estimated to be between 400 and 860 years old. A visit here will elicit a sense of wonder and otherworldliness.

The next step on your road trip journey will cross towards the Pacific Ocean side of the island, with views of Mount Aso to the south along the way. After an hour's drive east, you'll arrive in the onsen town of Beppu. Beppu is a fabulous municipality nestled between mountains and the ocean, where geothermal activity is prevalent, and you can see the steam rising from the city as if it had been born from the fog. Just to the south of Beppu is an even larger city for which the prefecture is named, Oita. Oita is also an onsen town, and between these two beautiful and lively cities, there are endless things to do. We recommend staying in the area for at least two nights during this adventurous road trip to experience the intersection of history, culture, and pristine nature.

Beppu produces more hot spring water than anywhere else in the country, so it's a given that when you visit the area, you'll want to experience some of the onsens and hot springs the city has to offer. One of the most popular is the Hells of Beppu, a collection of seven boiling springs that are open to view, each with its own unique features. Some are turquoise blue, while others are a fiery red-orange; all are incredibly beautiful and fascinating to witness firsthand. Of course, there are also numerous onsens in the area and many offer accommodations, allowing you to stay and relax with stunning coastal views.

While in the area, you won't want to miss Mount Tsurumi, a volcano towering 4,500 feet above Beppu overlooking the sea. Take the Beppu Ropeway, a gondola lift that travels up 2,600 feet with unforgettable, 360-degree views (re-opening August 2025). There are also many hiking trails and overlooks on Mount Tsurumi, and from the peak, you can see nearby mountains on a clear day, such as Mt. Yufui and the Kuju Mountains.

Once you've soaked beachside in steaming pools and witnessed the gorgeous vistas of Beppu, the journey continues onward towards the star of this road trip, Mount Aso. Along the way, there are some detours that cannot be missed, such as the Inazumi Underground Caves. This incredible marvel formed over 300 million years ago and was then submerged by a massive eruption of Mount Aso around 90,000 years ago. This limestone cave system is navigable by tour in the dry portions and features stalactites, stalagmites, and fissures that extend as deep as 130 feet. The cave site is just 20 minutes south of the road leading from Oita to Mount Aso, so it's worth the stop on this portion of the trip.

After taking a tour of the underground cave, you'll head back up to the main highway and continue the trip west towards Mount Aso. The drive here is gorgeous, weaving through forests and hills that are sure to elicit a sense of awe. After another hour or so on the road, you will arrive in the town of Aso, which will be your base for exploring the mountain, national park, and various sites around it.

There are numerous accommodation options, including budget-friendly ryokans, hotels, and luxury resorts. One of the best ryokans in Aso City to stay at without breaking the bank is the Okyakuyan Ryokan, a half-farm, half-inn that's been operating as such for more than 300 years. For stays at just $150 USD a night, this is one of the more budget-conscious ryokans that offer a truly authentic Japanese experience. This can come in handy, considering Japan is following other countries with new tourist tax changes.

When arriving at Mount Aso from town, it's difficult not to be awed by the jagged rim of the crater and the billowing steam rising from the highly active Nakadake. When you reach the top and peer into the deep, rocky crater, you'll find a turquoise blue sulfuric lake, which is an incredible sight (be sure to check in with the visitor center to ensure the sulfur dioxide levels are safe to be around). Within the Aso Kuju National Park, there are plenty of hikes to be done with superb vistas of the rolling, emerald grasslands of Aso, such as the Hakoishi Ridge Trail or the Mount Eboshi Loop. A popular activity in the park is to go horseback riding through the wild prairies, filled with flowers and flowing grasses. Visit the Volcanic Museum to learn about the history and formation of this dynamic landscape.

After you get your fix exploring this fascinating mountain, you'll begin making your way west once again, headed towards the big city of Kumamoto. Along the way, though, there's a stop that's worth the extra time, especially for those seeking adventure and thrills, and that is Takachiho Gorge. When you head towards Kumamoto, you'll take highway 325 south and 445 west. Takachiho Gorge is about 45 minutes south of Aso City along that route, and will take you to enchanting river gorges with amazing opportunities for canyoning adventures, kayak expeditions, and boat tours along the iridescent waters of the Gokase River. It may involve taking a slightly slower route over to Kumamoto to the south instead of directly west. Still, it will be totally worth it to explore this narrow rocky chasm lined by sheer cliffs of basalt, within the dense, pristine forest.

Staying in Kumamoto makes for an excellent grand finale to your road trip adventure, with plenty of sights to see, incredible food to eat, and culture to experience. Visit Kumamoto Castle, with a history dating back as far as 1467. Wander the streets of Sakura-no-Baba Josaien, a re-creation of a bustling 17th-century castle town similar to what Kumamoto would have been in the 1600s. Take a relaxing stroll through the Suizenji Garden and witness a representation of an important road connecting Edo to Kyoto during the Edo period of Japan. There are endless things to do in this city that make a perfect end cap to your journey.

Finally, you'll head two hours north towards Fukuoka, where you can return your rental car and continue on with your odyssey to the many other fantastic and unmissable tourist destinations to visit in Japan. From the energetic city of Tokyo, to the stunning floating island of flowers to the north, there is so much more of Japan to discover, and this road trip is just the beginning.