Aso, Kumamoto / 阿蘇中岳火口
Mt. Nakadake Crater (Aso)
The Aso caldera, 18 km east-west and 25 km north-south, is one of the largest in the world. Of the five peaks of Aso in its centre, Nakadake is still active: its crater, 600 m across, 130 m deep and 4 km around, sends up white volcanic smoke that can be seen close up.
Last official check
26 Sept 2026
Traveler reports
0
Reports open in Phase 2
Next scheduled check
25 Dec 2026
Decide before you go
A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.
- Getting there
- Train / Bus
- Entry
- Conditions apply (see below)
Before you go
Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.
- Opening hours
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Closed
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Admission
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Getting there
About 35 minutes by bus from JR Aso Station to the Aso-sanjo terminal (via Kusasenri), then about 5 minutes on the Aso crater shuttle.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Parking
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Payment
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Accessibility
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know
Address: Aso, Kumamoto (Japanese address: 熊本県阿蘇市黒川)
Official site: https://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/209
Location
Smaller pins are other spots nearby.
Nearby spots
- No photo yetKusasenriKumamoto3 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetMt. KomezukaKumamoto4 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetShirakawa SpringKumamoto7 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetAso ShrineKumamoto8 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetKamishikimi Kumanoimasu ShrineKumamoto8 km away (straight line)
Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.
Crowds
- Crowd level
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Best time to visit
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Peak time
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest days
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest season
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Latest traveler report
- None yet
Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).
You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps
Visiting respectfully
Check before you go: conditions for entry
If you do not meet these conditions, you may not be able to enter on the day.
- Currently closed: no vehicles and no crater viewing. You can walk to Sunasenrigahama on the way from the Kobochu car park (Aso-sanjo plaza). Entry may be banned depending on volcanic gas and the weather (check the Aso Volcano Disaster Prevention Council website).Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Verification log
- 26 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/209Access, description, address and coordinates read from a tourism organization's site.