Aso panorama from Tawarayama Pass viewpoint, Minamiaso, Kumamoto

We went to Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima for 2 days on November 27 and 28.

First, we had visited the Tawarayama Pass Viewpoint (俵山峠展望所 -touge tenbojo) in Minamiaso, Kumamoto. This is the best viewing spot for great panorama of the Five mountains of Aso (阿蘇五岳 -godake) from the west side.

Driving on Kumamoto Prefectural Routes 36, 206 and 28 from Mashiki-Kumamoto Kuko Interchange on Kyushu Expressway and passing some gentle curves, we came to the Tawarayama Pass. However, there are parts of some detours in Nishihara due to the Kumamoto earthquakes of last year.

From here, you can see the Five mountains of Aso right in front of you. Mount Komezuka (米塚), a volcano parasite of Mount Aso, is in the center picture.

A view of the south outer Aso mountain ranges. As you see in the picture, the entire village of Minamiaso is surrounded by Aso caldera.