Michi-no-Eki Aso

The five peaks of Mount Aso sit straight ahead from the car park, which is the first thing most visitors notice. The station stands where Route 57, Route 212 and the road up the mountain meet, and JR Aso Station is a two-minute walk away. That makes it a practical base whether you arrive by car or by train on the Hohi Line.

Inside, the shelves follow the caldera's farming year: seasonal vegetables and fruit, a meat counter, milk and other dairy, sweets and handmade bento. Aso's akaushi brown cattle turn up in some of the food, but stock changes, so treat it as a bonus rather than a promise. The ASO Denku information desk is the place to ask about the crater and road conditions.

Food here is mostly bento, snacks and light meals, so do not count on a full sit-down lunch. The station is open every day, usually 9:00 to 18:00 with seasonal changes. Mount Aso and Aso Shrine each have their own entry if you want to build a day around them.