Aso-Kujū National Park (阿蘇くじゅう国立公園, Aso-Kujū Kokuritsu Kōen) 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
References
- ^ "Introducing places of interest: Aso-Kuju National Park". Ministry of the Environment. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
- ^ Sutherland, Mary; Britton, Dorothy (1995). National Parks of Japan. Kodansha. pp. 143–5. ISBN 4-7700-1971-8.
- ^ a b "Aso-Kuju National Park". National Parks of Japan. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Aso-jinja Shrine". JNTO. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017.
- ^ "Aso-jinja Shrine". JNTO. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Aso-Kujū National Park - Basic Information". Ministry of the Environment. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
External links
- (in English) Aso-Kuju National Park - National Parks of Japan
- (in Japanese) Aso-Kuju National Park - National Parks of Japan
- Map of Aso-Kujū National Park (North)
- Map of Aso-Kujū National Park (South)
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