26/01/2025 / Last updated : 26/01/2025 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Kunimigaoka and Mitate gorge　国見が丘、見立渓谷

November 19th. 2024 Kunimigaoka, cloud sea. The night at michi no eki Seiunbashi was very cold, a sudden, drastic drop in temperature. 3 degrees C with the clear sky, bright with a waning moon. This morning D. wants to go to Kunimigaoka to view the cloud sea. Consequently, we set the alarm for 6.30 and set off before breakfast. It is, however, quite a long drive and well past sunrise when we arrive to a wonderful view with an almost complete absence of cloud. We can see a puff of smoke hanging over Mt. Aso far away in the distance. The reclining Buddha, formed by Nekodake and Aso, very clear […]
Amayasugawara
23/01/2025 / Last updated : 23/01/2025 d.d Temple / Shrine

Harajiri waterfall to Amanoiwato shrine　原尻の滝から天岩戸神社

November 18th. 2024 Harajiri waterfall　原尻の滝 Left Taketa and made for Takachiho. On the way we stopped at Harajiri waterfall. We have been here before but it is a pleasant spot. The waterfall is unusual in that it is set in the middle of rice fields. There is a large torii gate in the water just above the falls. During a local festival, a Mikoshi or portable shrine is carried through the gate at night by scantily clad young men. This event had taken place just the night before and large fires were still smouldering. This is a popular place, many of the surrounding fields are given over to the cultivation […]
19/01/2025 / Last updated : 19/01/2025 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Ameushi Waterfall and Bamboo Lantern Festival　黄牛の滝、竹楽

November 17th. 2024 Michi no eki Kugino Wake in michi no eki Kugino. The morning reveals an unbelievable number of overnight stay vehicles. The car park here can accommodate 230 to 250 cars and it must be almost full. Camping cars seem to have taken over from the Hi-ace van as the vehicle of choice. The number of dogs is also astounding till we discover the the michi no eki is the venue for a dog festival. We spend a lot of time absorbed in the dog run. The interactions between the various individuals is very interesting. Lots of dogs from the odd mutt and Shiba to Old English Sheepdogs, […]
Nabekama waterfall
17/01/2025 / Last updated : 18/01/2025 d.d Hiking / Walking

Shimojo Ginko tree and Aso Oguni　下城の大銀杏と阿蘇小国

November 16th. 2024 Michi no eki Oguni　道の駅小国 Wake early in michi no eki Oguni. Very damp and misty morning, very warm too. We were too hot during the night. Michi no eki Oguni we have visited many times but this was the first time to overnight. The parking adjacent to the toilets is limited for such a popular spot. Most of it given over to spaces for large vehicles. However we note an increase in the number of camper vans, especially the oversized ones. The toilets are modern and clean, though rather too small for the amount of traffic. No rubbish bins are provided except for cans and pet bottles. […]
Fuko-ji
16/07/2024 / Last updated : 16/07/2024 d.d Temple / Shrine

Fukoji temple Magaibutsu (Buddha)　普光寺磨崖仏

March 28, 2024 The morning in Michi no eki Harajiri no taki is grey and overcast. Only the swallows are energetic, swooping and weaving in and out of the overhanging roofs and skimming the car park, oblivious to the various devices set to deter them. We take another gentle tiptoe though the tulips and down to the Harajiri waterfall. Here are Oriental Greenfinches, wagtails, and dippers. Fukoji Temple The intermittent drizzle becomes more insistent, and we leave for Fukoji temple to view a large Buddha carved into the rock face. This takes us on an interesting drive mostly along narrow, winding roads strewn with dead sugi foliage. Arriving at Fukoji […]
12/07/2024 / Last updated : 12/07/2024 d.d Hiking / Walking

Shiramizu and Harajiri waterfall　白水の滝、原尻の滝

March 27th. 2024 Aso　阿蘇 Leaving Minami Aso michi no eki Kugino, we set off for Mt. Aso itself. In recent years, sadly, it has not been possible to approach the active crater and peer into the bubbling cauldron. At the topmost car park, still some distance from the crater, the buildings are deserted and derelict. There is still an amazing landscape all around but nothing to the spectacle we could wonder at some years ago. That said, the colour of the dead grasses, bushes in nascent bud, the seams of soil and ash black, orange and red are wonderful. We did not visit Kusasenri this time, but there is good […]
A view of Aso area
12/07/2024 / Last updated : 12/07/2024 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Scenic Drive R. 442 from Yame to Aso　八女から阿蘇へ

March 26, 2024 A leisurely start to this trip – the first for a year – in that we don’t leave until around mid-day. It is cold, windy and there is persistent drizzle. Soon, before we hit the highway, we stop for lunch at Ohsho. This gyoza chain had it’s origins in Kansai and I remember it as very down market, tin tables, plastic table covers and the staff skating in white gum boots on the greasy floor. It has cleaned up it’s act and is now a very reasonable lunch spot. Cost/performance excellent and the menu extends beyond gyoza and ramen. Cherry blossoms at Hyugami Dam　日向神ダム Soon we are […]
michi no eki Kugino
20/03/2023 / Last updated : 03/11/2024 d.d Hiking / Walking

Mt. Aso Eboshidake, butterflies and a frog　阿蘇烏帽子岳

Nov. 1st. 2022, Nakatosa michi no eki Nakatosa michi no eki proves to be a fine place to stay. It is flat, has good modern facilities, a dog run, provides plenty of rubbish bins and clearly marked evacuation routes in case of a tsunami. This being the Pacific coast of Koichi, something to keep in mind. It is adjacent to a small port, busy with fishing boats unloading. Misaki to Saganoseki Ferry There was a little light rain in the night but by the time we set off for the ferry port at Misaki this has stopped. We follow last night’s baffling road of wide metalled road, tunnels and narrow […]