Kumamoto
Aso

<p>Silver pampas grass with views of the Kuju Mountain Range</p>

Silver pampas grass with views of the Kuju Mountain Range (Photo: Mandy Bartok)

Kumamoto
Aso

Autumn in the Mt Aso Highlands

Silver grass carpets central Kumamoto

Mandy Bartok Oct 05, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>Silver pampas grass with views of the Kuju Mountain Range</p>

<p>A distant view of Mt Aso from the Senomoto Highlands</p>

<p>Driving the highlands leads to stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges</p>

<p>Pampas grass is a sure sign of autumn in rural Japan</p>

<p>The grass tends to grow in wild fields in the countryside or wherever the land has been untouched</p>

<p>The views of Mt Aso from the Daikanbo lookout in autumn are impressive</p>

<p>The caldera (seen partially in the photo here) is the largest in the world</p>

<p>Mt Aso can be safely viewed from the Milk Road</p>

As the air cools and the humid haze lifts from the peaks of Mt Aso, Kumamoto prefecture's active volcano, there is no better time to enjoy a drive along the rim of the world's largest caldera. September sees the arrival of silver pampas grass, or susuki, which blankets the rolling highlands. Hayrolls dot the ranchers' fields and purple and pink cosmos blossom bring the last spot of summer color to the area. Even though Mt Aso has been quite active recently, you can still witness the wonder of this geological feature from the safety of the Milk Road, which follows the edge of the old caldera's northern edge.

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Mandy Bartok

Mandy Bartok @mandy.bartok

Japan resident for 10 years, with time spent in Okinawa, Kumamoto and Tokyo.