Aso Panorama Line

Grassland climb from Aso City into the Aso caldera toward the active Nakadake crater

Kumamoto Prefectural Route 111 climbs from Aso City up through the vast caldera grasslands past Kusasenri and Komezuka toward the smoking Nakadake crater, one of the few roads that brings you this close to an active volcano. The open sightlines and Aso Five Peaks views make it a signature Kyushu drive on Japan's 100 best roads. Access to the crater rim can close at short notice for volcanic activity. Mind sudden crater-area closures and gas alerts, fog on the grasslands, and tour-bus traffic.