Bus schedule in Mt Aso

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone knows the bus schedule from and to JR station to the crator?

I got that to creator is:
8:37 9:52 10:30

But I don't know the times back from the crator. Also is 4 hours a sufficient time to get from JR station to see Mt Aso and back? I only have 4 hour window for the whole think to take the train back at 15:46.

Thank you

Leaving Aso Station:
8:37, 9:52, 10:30, 12:10, 13:25, 14:15, 15:20

The trip up the mountain takes 40 minutes.

Leaving Mount Aso (West Crater):
9:50, 11:05, 12:10, 13:20, 14:10, 15:45, 17:00

The trip down the mountain takes only 30 minutes.

The one way fare is 540 Yen.

Four hours will be enough. Enough to incorporate a small hike in the area. For example, you could walk around the crater or walk from the crater to the Volcano Museum and catch the bus back to the station from there.

very much!

Hi,

I have another question. Are there coin lockers at Mt. Aso train station or is it too small? If not, do you have any suggestions?

Thanks.

It is not a particularly small station. I am sure there are some lockers, just like at most train stations in Japan. Whether they come in a size that is suitable for your luggage may be a different question.

And in the case that all lockers are occupied, I think it possible to ask the station staff to store the luggage.

First Time I went there they had lockers large enough to store an about 80l backpack, and since then they build a large and new tourist information building(!), where I'm sure they'll be happy to help you if it doesn't fit.

Would it be possible to catch the 13:25 bus, go up to the crater, hike around, go over to the vocano museum, and still catch the 17:00 bus back to Aso town?

Would it be possible to catch the 13:25 bus, go up to the crater, hike around, go over to the vocano museum, and still catch the 17:00 bus back to Aso town?

Yes, it can be done. You will be at the lower ropeway station by 14:05, at the crater around 14:15. Few people spend more than 15-30 minutes around the crater, so you have more than two hours to hike to the Aso Volcano Museum and see it. That is relatively easily doable if you move at a relatively fast pace.

Thanks very much, Uji! My brother and I plan to stay one night in Nagasaki and the next in Beppu, so your answer gives me hope that we can zoom up Aso-san on our way!

I recently went last week; the schedule has been revised (as of Nov 2007):


Leaving Aso Station:
8:57, 9:52, 10:40, 12:20, 13:25, 14:15, 15:20

The trip up the mountain takes 40 minutes.


Leaving Mount Aso (West Crater):
9:50, 10:50, 12:10, 13:20, 14:10, 15:45, 17:00

The trip down the mountain takes only 30 minutes.

The one way fare is still 540 Yen.


Note - if they display the notice that the ropeway is closed due to dangerous gases, do not assume it is for the whole day; try and go up and wait a little... they do re-open it when it's safe.