Driving all the way up from the foot of the mountain along the winding Mt. Aso scenic road, the view outside gradually changed from dense green forest to a desolate volcanic lava plateau with a rugged beauty. When I reached the volcanic plaza at the summit, I could already see plumes of white smoke with a strong sulfur smell constantly rising from the Nakadake crater in the distance.
Looking down from the observation deck, the huge crater contained a surreal, dreamlike blue-green volcanic lake. Together with the occasional bursts of steam and rumbling sounds, it really felt like standing on the surface of another planet. The visual impact was incredibly powerful! Since Nakadake is an active volcano, be sure to check the official website for that day's volcanic gas alert level and access status before heading up. If you're lucky enough to visit on a day when it's open, standing close to the crater's edge and looking down into this eye of the earth is an unforgettable experience.
I highly recommend adding the Aso Nakadake Crater to your itinerary when taking a road trip through Kyushu and experiencing this magnificent natural wonder that feels truly alive and breathing!
The Aso Nakadake Caldera | Review by Jk
Other Reviews by Jk
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Namba Yasaka Shrine
”Namba Yasaka Shrine”, located in the Namba area of Minami in Osaka, is a historic shrine said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Nintoku (313-399).
Tucked away in the quiet residential backstreets of Osaka’s Namba area, the moment you enter the grounds of Namba Yasaka Shrine and look up, the enormous Lion Hall will definitely startle you wide awake! This lion head statue, standing 12 meters tall and 11 meters wide, has a fierce, cavernous mouth and huge, glaring eyes, giving the entire hall an overwhelmingly powerful presence. Legend has it that this giant lion’s mouth possesses boundless divine power, “swallowing up” all the misfortune, bad luck, and evil around it in one bite, while drawing in endless good luck, success, and prosperity! Whether you’re praying to pass your exams, get promoted at work, or achieve business prosperity, standing before this imposing lion with your hands together in prayer gives you an incredible sense of security and strength. Take a few low-angle photos with it, and the dramatic effect is so intense that it’s incredibly satisfying to see!
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Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Dazaifu Tenmangu is the head shrine of 10,000 different shrines across Japan dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane. Sugawara was an acclaimed scholar who was deemed innocent posthumously after being exiled to Dazaifu by Kyoto’s Imperial Court. The main hall was built over his grave and has been preserved as a sacred site of Tenjin worship for over 1100 years.
As soon as you step out of Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station and make your way through the lively Omotesando to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, it instantly feels like you’ve entered a Japanese garden filled with scholarly energy and classical poetry! This is the head shrine of more than 10,000 Tenmangu shrines across Japan and enshrines Sugawara Michizane, the god of learning. Every year, countless students preparing for major exams and travelers praying for success in their careers come here to draw fortunes and pray for blessings. Upon entering the shrine grounds, the first things you see are the three red arched Taiko Bridges spanning Shinji Pond. They represent the past, present, and future. As you cross the red bridges step by step toward the main sanctuary, shaded by green trees on both sides with reflections shimmering on the water, even a restless heart gradually becomes calm.
The first thing you have to do here is touch the sacred ox statues throughout the grounds, which have been polished to a shine by countless visitors! Legend says that if you touch the sacred ox’s head and horns and then touch your own head, you can absorb the wisdom of the god of learning, sharpen your mind, and improve your studies. More than 6,000 tobiume and other plum trees are planted throughout the shrine. When the plum blossoms bloom in early spring, the garden fills with a subtle fragrance, and the mix of pink and white is beautiful beyond words. After praying, walk back along the path to Omotesando and grab a freshly baked, crispy, piping-hot Umegae mochi stamped with a plum blossom design. The outside is slightly crisp, while the red bean filling is warm and soft. Paired with a sip of hot tea, the entire pilgrimage feels soothing and satisfying! -
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Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle is a renowned castle built by Kato Kiyomasa in 1607. Constructed using the most advanced technology of the time and an immense amount of labor, it later became the setting for many important events in Japanese history.
Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s three great castles, instantly overwhelms you with the imposing power of a top-tier military stronghold from the Warring States period as you look up at its massive, jet-black main keep standing tall and commanding! Personally designed by the castle-building genius Kato Kiyomasa, this legendary castle’s most astonishing feature is undoubtedly the ingeniously curved “musha-gaeshi” stone walls. The base looks gently sloped and easy to climb, but it gets steeper the higher you go, becoming almost completely vertical at 90 degrees near the top. Even the most agile ninja or samurai would only end up hopelessly sliding back down halfway! The entire castle suffered devastating damage from powerful earthquakes, but today its main and secondary keeps have risen again through an impressive combination of modern engineering and traditional craftsmanship. The black wooden exterior walls and pure white accents look incredibly striking in the sunlight. Walking along the newly built accessible elevated viewing walkway to the top floor of the main keep, you can take in sweeping views of downtown Kumamoto and the distant Aso mountain range. Its resilient, indomitable spirit truly fills you with deep respect the longer you look!
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