11. Valley of the Wind Experience Hiking with Lunch
· 2 hoursThis is a unique experience that gives you insight in both the natural and cultural history of the region. Apart from seeing the beauty of the scenery with your own eyes, you will also get to interact with locals and learn about the traditions and how they have lived in harmony with the environment. If you have a few extra hours to spend in the area and are looking for a deep and memorable experience in the outdoors, this is perfect for you.
22. Experience Zen meditation or sutra copying, and enjoy vegetarian food with monk
· 2.5 hoursGokuraku Zenji is one of the seven temples that protect the Aso Shrine, and has a history of over 450 years. You will spend a luxurious time to purify your mind and body with zazen meditation, where you empty your mind and just sit and look at yourself, and with healthy vegetarian food made with seasonal ingredients and care for the people who eat it. Although this is a famous temple with a long history, the monk will guide you very carefully, so even those who are not good at sitting on the floor or who have never experienced Zen meditation before can participate with ease. In addition, the vegetarian food, made with plenty of local ingredients, is a gem in appearance, taste, and volume. If sitting on the floor is not for you, you can also sit on a chair.
33. Private guided tour: Mt. Aso volcano, grasslands, Aso Shrine
5.0· 21 reviews· 5.5 hoursStarting with a visit to our historic Aso Shrine, which has a history of more than 2000 years, you can discover the Japanese way of praying. Your guide will then take you to visit the adjacent Monzenmachi, one of the oldest streets in Aso; where many stores are lined up. You'll get to try out the mineral water springs and stroll along the tree covered avenue. After our lunch, we will visit the top of Mount Aso, where you can feel the breath of the earth. It is a real treat to experience our living earth, and how locals link their religion with the surrounding nature.
44. Walking through the Aso Caldera, Historical Walk along the "Bungo Kaido"
4.5· 4 reviews· 4 hoursAso's knowledgeable guides will take you on an easy-to-understand and enjoyable tour of the Aso Caldera from its birth to the present, from the perspectives of volcanoes, geology, history, culture, and beliefs. By walking down the stone-folded path that descends the northern outer rim of the mountain and entering the caldera on your own, you can really feel the size of the caldera, one of the largest in the world. You can also enjoy spots related to the history, culture, and beliefs of Aso, where people have lived in the caldera for over 2,000 years. On the way, we will have a tea time with yogurt and sweets grown in the grasslands of Aso.
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