If you go to Kumamoto, try renting a car.

I recently went on a trip to Kumamoto with my family, and I think renting a car was by far the best choice! We rented a car from a rental shop located within a 5-minute walk of Kumamoto Station and visited our destination, Mt. Aso Kusasenri. There was hardly any traffic on the way, and as we kept climbing the winding hills, we were greeted by wide-open views, meadows, and cows and horses 🐮🐴 that we saw here and there. Feeling as if we had been thrown into nature, we couldn't help but stop the car frequently to admire the scenery 🫢. Please be aware that the parking lot at Kusasenri gets quite crowded! The entrance fee was 500 yen. We could have walked to a spot where the volcano was clearly visible, but the sun was so hot that we just kept admiring the view. It takes about an hour and a half to get there from Kumamoto Station, so I recommend this place to anyone who wants to enjoy some unique scenery for half a day! ※ Since Mt. Aso is an active volcano, access roads may be closed in the event of a risk of eruption. We recommend checking Google Maps or searching for ‘Aso Crater Regulation Information’ before you go!