Aso Family Hotels: A Getaway in Japan's Grand Caldera

Aso is an area spreading across the northeastern part of Kumamoto Prefecture, cradled within one of the largest calderas in the world. The scenery woven by the majestic peaks of Mount Aso's five volcanic cones (the Aso Gogaku) and its grasslands is one of Kyushu's signature views, and driving between viewpoints like Kusasenri-ga-hama and Daikanbo gives kids a large-scale nature experience all its own. Aso is also known as a hot-spring destination, with plenty of places where families can soak and unwind together.

What makes Aso an excellent destination for families isn't just the natural scenery — many of its hotels also have facilities where kids can run around and play, from animal encounters to playground equipment and pools. This is a mountain area where the weather can change quickly, but choosing a hotel with indoor play facilities means rainy days are nothing to worry about.

Aso Farm Land Great Nature Aso Health Forest, in Minami-Aso, is a cluster of dome-shaped hotels built within the lodging area of a health-and-healing theme park. With the outdoor obstacle course "Genki no Mori," the Petting Animal Kingdom, and Aso Volcano Onsen with its variety of baths, you can spend an entire day having fun without leaving the grounds. Kamenoi Hotel Aso, in Aso City, gives guests free use of "ASONIWA," a hands-on kids' park lined with play equipment modeled on the grasslands and local wildlife, and its forest-outdoor-themed Kids Terrace Rooms are another draw. Kamenoi Hotel Aso Park Resort is a large resort with a year-round indoor heated pool and indoor kids' park, an observation onsen and private baths looking out over the Aso Gogaku peaks, concept rooms such as the Ninja Family Room, and thorough support for families with babies, including baby food service and free loans of baby gear.

For access, it's convenient to drive from central Kumamoto City or Aso Kumamoto Airport, and the JR Hohi Main Line is also an option. From spring through fall, the grasslands turn a beautiful green, making it a pleasant season for driving and outdoor play in the clear air. Choose a hotel with an indoor pool or kids' park, though, and your family can have fun regardless of season or weather.