Kusasenri Plateau sits within the volcanic landscape of Mount Aso in Japan, a wide expanse of open grassland that rewards a visit with uninterrupted views. The plateau is the kind of place where the land opens up around you, and the mountains rise in the distance as a backdrop to the grass.
What the visit is like
Kusasenri is a destination for walking, looking and simply being out in open country. The grassland stretches far in every direction, and the surrounding peaks of the Aso range give the scene its shape. It suits visitors who want scenery more than crowds or built attractions.
When to go
Because of its high elevation, the plateau is known for early autumn colour. The foliage on the surrounding mountains begins to turn from September, so the season offers the most striking backdrop for the grassland. Those who travel at other times will still find the open views, but the autumn colours are the feature the place is best known for.
Around the plateau
- The wider Mount Aso area, a volcanic region of the Kyushu island of Japan, which gives the plateau its setting.
- Scenic outlooks over the grassland and the mountains beyond, which are a natural focus for a visit.
- The chance to see how a high volcanic landscape shapes the open country and the seasons of its vegetation.
For travellers planning a day or more in the region, Kusasenri is best approached as a place to slow down and take in the wide views, with the autumn season as the time to see its colours at their most vivid.
