A gateway to one of Japan's most active volcanoes

The Mount Aso Visitor Center is located on a grassy plateau within the vast Aso Caldera, in the free space area on the first floor of the Aso Volcano Museum. You can see the 1,592-meter-high Nakadake Crater, the main crater of Mount Aso, from the building. Nakadake is located about 4 kilometers from the visitor center and constantly emits volcanic steam from its crater.

The visitor center has a wide range of exhibits that introduce the geology and topography of Mount Aso, its various plants and wildlife, volcano disaster prevention efforts, and local culture. You can learn about Aso-Kuju National Park, the Aso UNESCO Global Geopark that encompasses the Aso Caldera, and sightseeing in the Kumamoto area. Staff can update you on volcanic activity warning levels and suggest sightseeing spots and activities.

For more in-depth information about Mount Aso, you can explore the Aso Volcano Museum (paid entry) in the same building. Here you will find displays including photographs and maps with explanatory text, multimedia exhibits, a live video feed of the Nakadake Crater, VR headsets, and an immersive multilingual video about the Aso Volcano. There are shops and stalls selling local products, souvenirs and trekking route maps, and there is also a cafe.