Mt.Aso to Takachiho(I-3)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘25.27th,Apr
This route I-3 is in Area-I, “Kyushu". See Area-I map/ See Japan map
Sight & Entertainment ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Food & Drinks ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Easiness ⭐⭐
Road condition ⭐⭐⭐
Safety ⭐⭐⭐
Soon after returning from the last trip to Kyushu(ref.Yamanami highway to Mt.Aso I-2), I started planning this time trip which included Kusasenri-ga-hama hill climbing since it was so big regret for me that I could not visit there in the last trip.
From 26th, Apr to 6th May, our company had a long holidays dubbed as “Golden week" in Japan. And the earlier days would be good chance in this year since many companies were not in the holidays. So it was not so tough to book flight tickets and hotels for 2 nights.
As I did in the last trip, I sent OS-500 cycling bag to the final day’s hotel at Kumamoto airport after composing my bike(pic.1). *since it takes at least 1 days for delivery, the departure should be 2 days later of the arrival.
I started at Kumamoto airport at AM9:40. It was sunny though the weather forecast had told it would rainy next day.. I cycled directly toward Aso-guchi(pic.2) where the outer rim mountains were cut and the water came out from the caldera.
Slowly I climbed the slope and reached the Aso-guchi JCT after 50min from which I cycled on a busy R-57, and finally the real hill climbing started after turning right to R-298(pic.5).
The altitude continuously got higher through green warm plateau. According to the map, the local cuisine restaurant “Kogen-no-hana" would be the last chance to take a lunch before reaching hill top. The time was AM11:30, so I entered this restaurant and ordered Mt.Aso special Aka-ushi(red cow) hamburg lunch at \1600-. The volume and taste including dago-jiru(soup) were very tasty.
After lunch, the hill climbing along grass plateau with cows and horses started from which the Mr.Aso outer rim mountains could be seen far away(pic.7) and gradually the peak mountain of Mt.Aso also could be seen(pic.8).
The seamless climbing around 7 degree slope which lasted for 7km was tough. Even after getting a rest near the final junction(pic.9), the climbing continuer for 3km. I thought it was right decidion not to come here in my last trip with pain at back of knees and malfunction of my bike.
Finally I reached the observatory for Kusasenri(pic.10-1, 10-2).
From this observatory point, the wide view of caldera could be seen at opposite side of Kusasenri(pic.10-3).
You can walk on the Kusasenri’s grass or enjoy riding on the horse(pic.10-4) in front of the shopping area. Since there were too many people there, I didn’t drop in. Instead, I decided to visit the Mt.Aso’s crater a few km ahead.
From a lower side parking area, I walked for 2km toward the crater(pic.11-1). I didn’t imagine such a long walk, so I regretted coming here but I would not get a chance like this in my future, I continued walking.
But I didn’t have so much time, I just entered Suna-senri-ga-hama and saw No.4 crater which located very close to the walking way. If you have time, you can walk to No.1 crater, the biggest one.
The time was PM2:15 when I came back to my bike and I found I had to ride over 50km with some hill climbing. I had to hurry up to reach Takachiho-kyo in day time. But those spectacles along the route mesmerized me a lot(pic.12, 13).
Even after finishing the refreshing down hill and entering R-325, the Aso mountains view on left hand side was marverous(pic.14).
But ahead, mountain roads were waiting for me(pic.15). Again I had to climb over 200m to pass the first lump. After that, repeating up and donws continued over 10km. The sum-up altitude exceeded 1700m today but still there was a final 100m climbing to enter Takachiho town(pic.16).
Finally I reached Takachiho town but still I had to go additional a few km to Takachiho-kyo(gorge). It was a steep down hill, which means I had to climb again to come back to my hotel.. But I barely came in time to the gorge (PM5:10) (pic.17). You can take a pic of the famous water fall “Manai-no-taki) from the bridge and from the opposite side of promenade (pic.17-2). It’s a very sacred area so I could understand there were myths called “Kagura" from the past in this area. I didn’t plan to enjoy the Kagura but it would be a nice and misterious experience if I see the play.
The way back to the town was of course tough. I sometimes walk and push my bike to climb the hill. The town was very silent partly because it was Sunday and before the real golden week, partly most of tourists have dinner in their hotels..
I barely found a barbeque restaurant, “Sakuy honmaru" on my way back to the hotel. And after taking a shower came back there. I had to wait for a while but finally I could enjoy Miyazaki local cuisines. I enjoyed local beef “Takachiho-gyu" and free range chicken as well as potato Shochu. Kyushu area is famous for Shochu(distilled liquor), not Japanese sake.
The outside seemed very cool at PM8:00. I prayed not to rain tomorrow, though it was meaningless.
<Transportation info>
From Tokyo to Kumamoto: Haneda AM7:15 NH2411(Solaseed air) to Kumamoto AM9:05
<Connected route>