Aso is famous for its single cherry tree, the 400-year-old Isshin Gyo cherry tree. It is only 6 minutes away from the roadside station Asobano-no-Sato Kugino. However, I dare you to visit Kannon-zakura here. It is a mountain cherry tree planted in a pasture on the mountainside of the outer rim of Minamiaso. The tree is said to be about 100 years old. It has become popular in recent years for the beautiful shape of the tree, which blooms against the backdrop of the Aso mountains. The name "Kannon-zakura" (meaning "Goddess of Mercy") comes from the fact that the Bato Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) is enshrined nearby. Because it is a private ranch, it is usually closed to the public, but only during the Kannon-zakura blooming season. Please note that you cannot enter the pasture from the nearby Kannonzakura Park. Use the Kannonzakura parking lot in Kishino. It is a 12-minute drive from Roadside Station Asomo-no-Sato Kigino. (Photo courtesy of above / Kumamoto Prefectural Tourism Federation)
address (e.g. of house)
Kawagin, Minami-aso Village, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture