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 on the Kyushu highway, exiting at Yame, to take route 442 towards Taketa. This is a good road if you like narrow, winding, scenic routes. At this time of year more than 1000 Sakura(cherry blossoms) are in bloom all along the lake of the Hyugami Dam. On a sunny weekend this road is very busy but on a wet Tuesday we are the only vehicle on the road.

So it continues, an easy scenic drive till we stop at michi no eki Oguni. Shortly before reaching the michi no eki, we pass the Nabegataki waterfall. This we have visited at least twice before so we don’t stop. It is however well worth a look though it has become much more popular in recent years. I noted with horror from a photo in michi no eki Oguni that it is now illuminated at night. Later we discovered, it is has been necessary since 2021 to book through Oguni tourist office website before visiting during holiday seasons.

 ＊entrance fee 300 yen

Asobou Bridge　阿蘇望橋

From Oguni, we follow route 212 and the Milk Road to Hano and then branch off on local roads to view the Asobou Bridge.
This bridge is interesting only in that it exists. It is a covered bridge of the kind famous in the USA but possibly unique in Japan. It is of very solid construction. The huge bulks of timber must have been very expensive and the labour more so. Why is this excessively solid, roofed, timber bridge spanning a minor stream on an obscure local road? Who paid for it and do they know?
The bridge has its own convenient car park if you want to stop and admire what I can only suppose is a folly.

Michi no eki Kugino

From the bridge, on to Takamori and Asobou no sato Kugino michi no eki at Minami Aso for what must be our third or fourth overnight here. There is a huge amount of parking space on two levels and great views of Mt.Aso. It is a large site with various attractions – dog run, water wheel, park golf ground, Mont Bell shop and two restaurants. For an overnight it is fine out of season, but it must be very busy in the summer and the toilet facilities are adequate at best.