Aso district, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan

Places to visit near Aso

Aso is a town in Aso district, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, home to about 27,978 people. Within 50 km by road there are 98 places to visit — 12 temples, 36 hill stations & viewpoints, 27 waterfalls and 5 buddhist sites. The must-see places are Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine (15 km), Shiramizu Falls (24 km) and くじゅう花公園 (25 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Aso on the map

Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture
Aso, Aso district, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Aso at a glance

Location
Aso district, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
Population
about 27,978
Coordinates
32.9373° N, 131.0801° E
Places within 50 km
98 (27 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; July to January, best August to November right after rains for waterfalls; year-round for temples

Top places to visit near Aso

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Aso: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Aso

Things to see near Aso, by type

Temples near Aso

45 temples within 100 km of Aso. The closest is Aso Shrine (4 km); the best-known is Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine (15 km). Best time: year-round.

All temples in Kumamoto Prefecture →

Hill stations & viewpoints near Aso

42 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Aso. The closest is Aso Cuddly Dominion (2 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

All hill stations & viewpoints in Oita Prefecture →

Waterfalls near Aso

28 waterfalls within 100 km of Aso. The closest is Koga falls (8 km); the best-known is Shiramizu Falls (24 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

All waterfalls in Oita Prefecture →

Buddhist sites near Aso

24 buddhist sites within 100 km of Aso. The closest is Saiganden-ji Temple (1 km). Best time: october to march.

All buddhist sites in Oita Prefecture →

Forts & heritage near Aso

13 forts & heritage within 100 km of Aso. The closest is 国道325号 (13 km). Best time: october to february.

All forts & heritage in Kumamoto Prefecture →

Parks near Aso

11 parks within 100 km of Aso. The closest is くじゅう花公園 (25 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

All parks in Oita Prefecture →

A one-day trip from Aso

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 55 km on the road.

  1. Start in Aso
  2. 1 km Saiganden-ji Temple · Buddhist site, Oita Prefecture
  3. 1 km Aso Cuddly Dominion · viewpoint, Oita Prefecture
  4. 15 km Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine · temple, Aso
  5. 14 km Shiramizu Falls · waterfall, Oita Prefecture
  6. 20 km Aso Shrine · temple, Kumamoto Prefecture
  7. 4 km Back to Aso

Plan a longer trip from Aso — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

How to reach Aso

    All places near Aso by distance

    Within 15 km of Aso

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type

    Places near Aso by type
    TypePlacesNearest
    Temples45Aso Shrine (4 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints42Aso Cuddly Dominion (2 km)
    Waterfalls28Koga falls (8 km)
    Buddhist sites24Saiganden-ji Temple (1 km)
    Forts & heritage13国道325号 (13 km)
    Parks11くじゅう花公園 (25 km)
    Museums10Aso Volcano Museum (8 km)
    Other attractions10白川水源 (16 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs5阿蘇立野ダム (15 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens3Aso-Kuju National Park (23 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves1Kyushu (13 km)
    Caves1Reigando Cave (56 km)
    Beaches & coast1Beppu Beach Sand Bath (72 km)

    Aso: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Aso?

    Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine (temple, about 15 km), Saiganden-ji Temple (Buddhist site, about 1 km), Aso Cuddly Dominion (viewpoint, about 2 km), Shiramizu Falls (waterfall, about 24 km), Aso Shrine (temple, about 4 km), くじゅう花公園 (park, about 25 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Aso?

    98 places on Spotwander: 12 temples, 36 hill stations & viewpoints, 27 waterfalls, 5 buddhist sites, 4 forts & heritage.

    Which is the nearest temple to Aso?

    Aso Shrine, about 4 km by road; Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine (15 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Aso?

    Aso Cuddly Dominion, about 2 km by road; Sensuikyō (6 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest waterfall to Aso?

    Koga falls, about 8 km by road; Sugaruga Taki (13 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Aso?

    Start in Aso, visit Saiganden-ji Temple, then Aso Cuddly Dominion, then Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, then Shiramizu Falls, then Aso Shrine, and drive back — about 55 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Aso?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; July to January, best August to November right after rains for waterfalls; year-round for temples.

    Towns near Aso

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Aso’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Aso on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.