Aso-Kujū National Park
阿蘇くじゅう国立公園
IUCN category II (national park)
Mount Aso and its caldera
Aso-Kujū National Park Aso-Kujū National Park in Japan Show map of Kyushu Aso-Kujū National Park Aso-Kujū National Park (Japan) Show map of Japan
Location	Kyūshū, Japan
Coordinates	32°53′06″N 131°06′15″E / 32.88500°N 131.10417°E / 32.88500; 131.10417
Area	726.78 km2
Established	4 December 1934
Governing body	Ministry of the Environment (Japan)

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]

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.

• 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.

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

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

• (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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