Mount Aso

Friendly, reasonably-priced restaurant. Most dishes involve cooking your own meat using a fire in the centre of the table. Generous portions.

The Shirakawa Spring in Minamiaso is the river source of the Shirakawa River, a river provide water for Kumamoto lives. As expected, the water there is clear and fresh. In fact, it has been chosen as one of the best 100 waters in Japan (名水百選). You can drink and take water in the taking area, where you pay ¥100 to enter.

This quiet minimal campground has relaxing views of the mountains. There are around a dozen level campsites, but choose carefully, because most of the grassy field is on a slanted hill. The caretaker only visits on occasion, so you're on your own. There's a large outdoor cooking pavilion and an old restroom with flush toilets. This is a place for tent camping; there are no RV sites, and vehicles pulling trailers would have difficulty driving into the campground itself because the road is narrow and bumpy. Reservations are not required.

The youth hostel is quite ascetic, but is cheap and the owner is very helpful. No breakfast, but they sell stuff like instant noodles you can have in the morning. They also have a simple Aso hiking map revealing the different trails around the mountain. It's about 20 minutes walking uphill from Aso-station. They have a very small public bath open from 17:00 to 21:00. No Wi-Fi and to use Internet, you have to use the prehistoric Windows 98 computer in the hall (if it works), or you can gently ask for a network cable if you are lucky enough.

It is extremely expensive. However, if you do find yourself staying here, they have spotlessly clean, perfectly organized, nice kitchen, cozy fire, you name it - they have it. Free Wi-Fi, but you have to pay ¥100 for 30 minutes on the provided computers.

This was a really nice family-run operation close to Aso-san. It's easy to get to if you have a car, but you might miss the sign if you're not looking closely. The owners were very welcoming, as were the other guests. There is free Wi-Fi available, and they do a family-style dinner every night at 19:00. Guests who want to attend are asked to contribute a ¥280 fee to help pay for the food. There is a natural hot spring out back that you can pay ¥300 to use. There is a trail that will take you to a "secret" waterfall.