Minamiaso, Kumamoto

Minamiaso 南阿蘇村
—  Village  —
Location of Minamiaso in Kumamoto
Minamiaso
Coordinates: 32°49′N 131°2′E / 32.817°N 131.033°E / 32.817; 131.033Coordinates: 32°49′N 131°2′E / 32.817°N 131.033°E / 32.817; 131.033
Country	Japan
Region	Kyūshū
Prefecture	Kumamoto
District	Aso
Area
– Total	137.30 km2 (53 sq mi)
Population (December 31, 2009)
– Total	12,015
– Density	87.5/km2 (226.6/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Website	Village of Minamiaso

Minamiaso (南阿蘇村, Minamiaso-mura^?, literally "South Aso") is a village located in Aso District, Kumamoto, Japan. It was formed on February 13, 2005 from the merger of the villages of Chōyō, Hakusui and Kugino. Neighbouring towns are Takamori-Machi (高森町), Ozu-machi (大津町) and Nishihara-mura (西原村).

As of December 31, 2009, the village has an estimated population of 12,015 (5776 male, 6239 female) and a population density of 91.2 persons per km². The total area is 137.30 km².

History of the area

Minamiaso-mura is situated within Aso Caldera, one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world. For more information, refer to the entry on Mt. Aso.

Minamiaso village was once 3 separate villages: Chōyō, Hakusui and Kugino. In 2005, it was decided that these villages would merge along with neighboring area Tateno to become Minamiaso village, which would stretch between Ozu and Takamori.

Merger

Due to declining birth rate, aging population and the opportunity to share administrative resources, discussions between the 3 villages (Chōyō, Hakusui and Kugino) began on April 1st, 2003. The merger was complete on February 13th, 2005.

Education

• Universities
  • Tokai Agricultural University

• Senior High Schools
  • Kumamoto Seiryou High School

As there are no public high schools in Minamiaso, many students enter the high schools of neighbouring towns, Takamori and Ozu. It is not uncommon, however, for students to achieve entry into the many other high schools in Kumamoto prefecture.

• Junior High Schools
  • Chōyō Junior High School
  • Hakusui Junior High School
  • Kugino Junior High School

Ryouhei Elementary School

• Elementary Schools
  • Tateno Elementary School
  • Chōyō Elementary School
  • West Chōyō Elementary School
  • Nakamatsu Elementary School
  • Hakusui Elementary School
  • Ryouhei Elementary School
  • Kugino Elementary School

The smallest elementary school is Ryouhei Elementary School, with just 30 students across all 6 grades.

Restaurants

• Soba Dojo - Guests can make their own soba noodles and eat them with a set meal.
• Aribi - A family-run restaurant that offers delicious home-made dishes and a view of Oozakura (large Cherry Blossom tree). Located in Hakusui, on Route 325
• Strong Boss Saloon - A Country music themed restaurant. Located on Route 325. Popular with motorbike enthusiasts.
• Denory's Diner - 60s/70s/80s Rock music theme. Located on Route 325.
• Cafe Bagel 1 - A wide selection of bagels, ice cream and drinks. Located on Route 325 (Chōyō)

Access

By car

• From Kumamoto City: follow Route 57 eastward, passing Hikari-no-mori, Kikuyo and Ozu, before turning right at Aso Bridge (follow signs for Takamori) onto Route 325. Immediately after Aso bridge you will enter Minamiaso-mura (Chōyō). It is approximately 1 hour by car from Kumamoto City.
• From Aso-Kumamoto Airport: Follow route 28 eastward and you will pass through Nishihara-mura, eventually arriving in Minamiaso-mura (Kugino) after exiting the Minamiaso Tunnel.

By train

• Trains going to Ozu, Miyaji (Aso City) or non-express trains bound for Oita will stop at Tateno Station. Those trains bound for Ozu will end their journey there and connecting train will be waiting at the adjacent platform. A change will also need to be made at Tateno to the Minamiaso Tetsudou line, which is not a JR line so JR Rail Passes will not be valid. From Tateno to Chōyō (the first station in Minamiaso-mura) costs 230 yen. Station names are written in Japanese and English. The Minamiaso Tetsudou line has its own website containing information on times and fares (see external links below).

Trivia

Shirakawa Suigen Spring Source

• The train station with the longest name in Japan is located in Hakusui, Minamiaso: Minamiaso Mizu-no-Umareru-Sato Hakusui-Kōgen Station (南阿蘇水の生まれる里白水高原) This is its full title, however, it is often simply called "Hakusui Kōgen" by locals. It is the 5th station on the Minamiaso Tetsudou line.
• One of Japan's largest and oldest cherry blossom trees is in Hakusui, in Minamiaso. Called 一心行の大桜 (Issingyo　no oozakura), it is over 400 years old. In 2004, the trunk was damaged by a typhoon and some branches were removed by winds. Even so, it still retains its place as one of Japan's most outstanding cherry blossom trees and remains one of the area's attractions.
• The city of Kumamoto is the biggest in the world to have its water needs met entirely by natural underground springs, all of it from Aso.

External links

Media related to Minamiaso, Kumamoto at Wikimedia Commons

• Minamiaso official website (Japanese)
• AsoFan.net
• Mt Torokko (Minamiaso Railway) (Japanese)
• Minamiaso tourism video (English)