Aso

Aso is a place name in Japan that can refer to several related features in Kyushu. The most prominent is Mount Aso (Aso-san), an active volcano in central Kyushu, and the surrounding volcanic landscape. The area is part of Aso Kujū National Park and is known for wide grasslands, hot springs, and rugged volcanic scenery.

Mount Aso comprises one of the largest calderas in the world. The caldera measures roughly 18 by 25 kilometers in diameter and contains multiple crater features, including the active Nakadake crater, which has produced eruptions in modern times. The volcanic system is continuously monitored for activity and is a major destination for visitors seeking hiking, scenery, and geothermal landscape.

Aso is also the name of a town in Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture. Located near the caldera, the town serves as a gateway to the volcanic region and the national park. Its local economy centers on agriculture and tourism, with visitors drawn to the natural setting and nearby cultural sites.

In addition to the town and Mount Aso, the term Aso commonly denotes the broader central Kyushu region surrounding the volcano. The area shares a cohesive identity linked to the caldera and parkland, as well as to the communities that form part of the Aso region in Kumamoto Prefecture.