Kuju is located in western Oita Prefecture on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s main islands. It is surrounded by the Kuju Mountain Range, home to the highest peak in Kyushu, and vast, sweeping grasslands. The landscape unfolds in grandeur, from the majestic crater of Mount Nakadake to the perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone of Komezuka, set amidst caldera plains and outer ridges that create a magnificent panorama. Pure spring water, filtered through the region’s rich soil, flows throughout the land, nurturing a thriving diversity of life.
The grasslands within Aso Kuju National Park have been carefully maintained by human hands for over a thousand years through controlled burning, grazing, and haymaking. These practices have preserved the expansive meadows, vibrant wildflowers, and rare plant species that together create a truly unique landscape. In Kuju, where nature and humans have long existed in harmony, visitors can experience the profound blessings of the earth.