Milk Road
A high plateau drive along the rolling northern outer rim of Mount Aso, with views over the caldera plain and the five Aso peaks on one side and endless pasture on the other.
The Milk Road is the common name for the scenic roads that run along the northern outer rim of Mount Aso, including Kumamoto Prefectural Route 45. It is named after the dairy cows grazing in the surrounding pastures. The road covers about 45 km, from the Ozu area near Kumamoto Airport east to the Daikanbo viewpoint (936 metres), the highest vantage point on the northern rim. The road rises and falls across the outer rim at 800 to 900 metres above sea level. On one side, visitors can look down over the towns, rice fields and the five peaks of Aso in the caldera valley. On the other side stretch rolling grasslands. The fresh green growth after the spring grass burning and the silver pampas grass in autumn are particularly stunning. Stops along the way include the Kabutoiwa Observation Point for photos. From Kumamoto City, drive the Milk Road to Daikanbo, then head down to Uchinomaki Onsen or Aso Shrine, and continue through Kusasenri and the crater of Nakadake to make a one-day loop. It can also connect to Kurokawa Onsen and the Kuju Yamanami Highway. The road is toll-free. In winter, roads ice over and fog can reduce visibility, so slow down or take National Route 57 instead. Cattle and deer sometimes wander onto the road, so drive carefully.