Mount Aso Restrictions

I am travelling to Kyushu in mid-April, will be based in Fukuoka and plan to go to Mount Aso.

At this link http://www.kyusanko.co.jp/aso/lang_en/#03 I see that it says that there are restrictions and the ropeway is not running. Is this information still correct (as it was issued in December)? I am assuming that the English-language page is regularly updated.

If the ropeway is not operating, is it worth going to Aso at all, especially from Fukuoka?

Yes, it is still closed. The following page is always up to date:
http://www.aso.ne.jp/~volcano/info.html

I personally don't think that Mount Aso is worth a visit without a visit to the crater to the average tourist unless you are interested in one of the other attractions around the mountain.

Has something changed with ropeway?
Here http://www.kyusanko.co.jp/aso/lang_en/#03
the warning about restrictions just disappeared......

that's odd, perhaps it's being updated. the japanese page has been updated to say the ropeway will be closed until Dec 27.

You could walk up the crater if the ropeway is not operating due to fog. But, if it's due to Aso's frequent smoky activity, you will not be allowed to walk up at all.

oops, I misread that page. It says that the ropeway was closed since 12/27 and currently undergoing maintenance. From March 13 a microbus will be running.

As of this date (Mar 13, 2014) the restrictions on Mt Aso have been partially lifted. You may ascend to the crater plaza area (by taking a microbus from the ropeway station, the ropeway itself is not running due to maintenance), but are restricted from the viewing areas close to the crater due to gas emission.

Hi,
Above i read that there are sites that inform you about the Aso restrictions. But is there also a site that forecast (one or two days ahead) the closing of the crater visiting area.
Note i will stay in Kumamoto and like to plan one or maybe two days ahead, if i will visit Mnt Aso.
Butchi