Aso Kujū National Park Explained

Aso-Kujū National Park
Alt Name:	阿蘇くじゅう国立公園
Iucn Category:	II
Location:	Kyūshū, Japan
Map:	Japan Kyushu#Japan
Label:	Aso-Kujū National Park
Relief:	1
Coords:	32.885°N 131.1042°W
Area:	726.78 km^2
Established:	4 December 1934
Governing Body:	Ministry of the Environment (Japan)

is a national park in Kumamoto and Ōita Prefectures, Japan. The park derives its name from Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan, and the Kujū mountains.^{[1] [2]} Mount Aso is also one of the largest caldera volcanos in the world.^[3]

History

Around 270,000 years ago, a burst of volcanic activity helped shape the area.^[4]

Aso Shrine at Mount Aso in Kyushu is a Shinto shrine traditionally held to have been a center of worship before the accession of Emperor Jinmu. The shikinaisha shrine complex at Ichinomiya in what is today Kumamoto Prefecture was said to have been established in 281 BC.^[5] The original location of the shrine is uncertain because it was destroyed and rebuilt many times in or near the crater of Aso-san.

• On December 4, 1934, this park was first established as Aso National Park.^[6]
• On September 1, 1953, Mt. Yufu, Mt. Tsurumi, and Mt. Takasaki in Oita Prefecture were designated as extensions.
• On May 1, 1956, Mt. Takasaki was separated and incorporated into the Seto Inland Sea National Park.
• On June 25, 1964, the Yamanami Highway was put into service as the "Toll Road Beppu Aso Road".
• On September 10, 1986, the name was changed to Aso Kujū National Park.^[6]
• On June 25, 1994, the Yamanami Highway was opened free of charge due to the expiration of the toll collection period.

Activities

• Soak in natural hot springs at Sujiyu Onsen Public Bath.^[3]
• Camping is easily accessible with their many campsites, such as Kuju Kogen Soumi and Kokonoe Green Park campgrounds.
• Natural spring water can be collected at the Shirakawa Fountainhead. Water from the Shirakawa River irrigates rice and vegetable farms in Kumamoto.
• Various hiking and biking trails have been established at the park. Horseback rides are also available.

Related municipalities

• Kumamoto: Aso, Kikuchi, Minamiaso, Minamioguni, Oguni, Ōzu, Takamori, Ubuyama^[6]
• Ōita: Beppu, Kokonoe, Kusu, Taketa, Yufu^[6]

See also

• List of national parks of Japan
• Kyushu, Japan
• Oita Prefecture
• Kumamoto Prefecture

External links

• Aso-Kuju National Park - National Parks of Japan
• Aso-Kuju National Park - National Parks of Japan
• Map of Aso-Kujū National Park (North)
• Map of Aso-Kujū National Park (South)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Introducing places of interest: Aso-Kuju National Park . . 7 February 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120208034519/http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/parks/aso.html . 8 February 2012 .
2. Book: National Parks of Japan . Sutherland, Mary . Britton, Dorothy . . 1995 . 143–5 . 4-7700-1971-8.
3. Web site: Aso-Kuju National Park. National Parks of Japan. June 11, 2024.
4. Web site: . Aso-jinja Shrine. dead. 2017-10-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20171015222732/http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/attractions/facilities/spots/shrines_temples/83dn3a000000ek1x.html.
5. Web site: . Aso-jinja Shrine. dead. 2017-10-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20171015222732/http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/attractions/facilities/spots/shrines_temples/83dn3a000000ek1x.html.
6. Web site: Aso-Kujū National Park - Basic Information . . 7 February 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130129013247/http://www.env.go.jp/park/aso/intro/basis.html . 29 January 2013 .