On day 4 of our Kyushu self-driving trip, we departed from the dreamy hot spring town of "Yufuin" and drove to Aso to visit the famous "Kusasenri Beach" and "Aso Crater." That night, we stayed at a unique local guesthouse in Aso.

When it comes to self-driving in Kyushu, this stretch of the journey is definitely the highlight of highlights! Although the weather was overcast that day and we even encountered the small regret of the crater being closed for control, the magnificent mountain views and local specialty snacks along the way still left us with unforgettable memories of our Aso day trip.

Kumamoto Aso Attractions: Kusasenri Beach, Aso Crater One-Day Tour, Walking into the Vast Volcanic Grasslands and Healing Pasture Scenery!

Driving from Yufuin to the Aso mountain area takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The road conditions are quite good and self-driving is very convenient!

The scenery along the way is incredibly beautiful. Especially after entering "Aso-Kuju National Park," the entire view opens up instantly, with endless green hills and magnificent natural landscapes in full sight.

There are also observation decks set up along the highway, perfect for stopping anytime to stretch and capture the beautiful scenery. Just sitting in the car and looking at the vast landscape outside the window makes one feel refreshed and all worries disappear!

Enjoying the scenery as we drove, just before reaching Kusasenri Beach, we could see many cute horses leisurely walking and grazing on the vast grassland by the roadside. The scene was incredibly healing!

The most convenient way to reach Kusasenri is by self-driving. That day, we parked directly at the parking lot next to the Aso Volcano Museum. There is also parking space around Kusasenri, and the two areas are nearby and within walking distance.

📍 Kusasenri Beach Transportation Guide

Self-driving: Set navigation to "Kusasenri Beach" or "Aso Volcano Museum." About 1.5–2 hours from Yufuin. Parking fee is 500 yen per use.

Bus/Train: Take JR to Aso Station ➔ Transfer to Sanko Bus (Aso Crater Line) ➔ Get off at "Kusasenri (Aso Volcano Museum)" stop. Riding time about 35 minutes.

After parking, the first thing that comes into view is a boundless grassland. Unfortunately, our luck wasn't great that day—the mountain peaks were almost shrouded in thick fog. On a sunny day, the view would surely be even more breathtaking.

After actually walking into the grassland, one truly understands why this is one of Aso's most popular attractions. Before your eyes is an endlessly wide green grassland, surrounded by volcanic mountains, with horses leisurely strolling by. Even just walking slowly gives a sense of relaxation far from the city.

Kusasenri is located within a large crater terrain. The unique volcanic landform combined with the grassland scenery creates a rare natural landscape in Japan.

Although visibility was poor that day, it created an atmosphere like being in a movie scene. Clouds and mist slowly drifted over the mountain tops, making the entire grassland even more mysterious.

The Aso Volcano Museum is the best starting point for gaining a deeper understanding of Aso Volcano! The museum has three floors, displaying rich geological models, volcanic eruption records, and the local ecological history of Aso.

The most special feature inside is the live camera connected directly to the inside of the Nakadake crater. Even if the weather is bad or the crater is closed for control and cannot be approached, you can still glimpse the crater's internal terrain and fumarole scenes through the images in the museum (live crater footage).

🎫 Aso Volcano Museum Ticket Prices (Admission Fee)

(Tickets are mainly for visiting the exhibition halls and theater on the 2nd and 3rd floors; the 1st floor shop and restaurant are free to enter and exit)

General Adult (Junior High School and above): 1,300 yen

Senior Discount (65 years and above): 1,100 yen

Child (Elementary School): 650 yen

Toddler (4 years to preschool): 350 yen (Free for 3 years and under)

Persons with Disabilities Discount: Adult 650 yen / Child 350 yen (proof required)

ℹ️ Practical Visiting Information

Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)

Closed: January 14 and July 14 each year

Address: 1930-1 Akamizu, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture

The first floor of the museum is open for free visits. There is a souvenir shop selling local specialties from Aso and Kumamoto, as well as volcanic souvenirs.

There are also stalls selling freshly grilled horse meat skewers and Japanese dango, perfect as a refueling stop after strolling around Kusasenri!

The horse meat skewers are grilled to perfection with a rich aroma. The texture is firmer than expected, with a subtle charcoal flavor. Eating them hot off the grill is especially satisfying.

What a pity! The crater was closed for control, so we couldn't go. We switched to the nearby "Aso Mountain Fumarole Observation Park" hoping to view the spectacular fumarole scenery from afar, but encountered extremely thick fog, resulting in a vast white wall!

Although we couldn't witness the stunning fumarole view in person, we unlocked the most misty and mysterious side of Aso Mountain~ Next time, we must pick a sunny day to make up for this regret!

Although we didn't get to see the Aso Crater in person this time due to the weather, that's just how travel is—leaving a bit of regret is the best reason to revisit Kyushu next time.

The self-driving scenery from Yufuin, the misty grasslands of Kusasenri, and the delicious horse meat skewers by the museum all made this Aso day trip fulfilling and enjoyable.

In the evening, we stayed directly at a unique local guesthouse in Aso, ready to rest well and prepare for the more exciting Kumamoto itinerary the next day!

■ See more Kyushu travel and food:

https://eeooa0314.tw/blog/categories/17004539131

⚠️ Notes:

Everyone's experience and feelings about travel, attractions, or dining vary. This article is only a personal experience sharing. Everyone is welcome to refer to it and evaluate whether to visit on their own.

It is recommended to check information before departure to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable dining or itinerary experience!

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