The crater is currently under Level 3 eruption warning with access prohibited within approximately 2km of the Nakadake crater. Crater viewing is not permitted; the park road operates during set seasonal hours but entry to the crater area itself is restricted.
- Restricted radius: 2,000 m
- Crater shuttle bus: Not operating
- Areas affected: Nakadake crater, 2km radius from crater
Traffic/Parking (schedule estimate, not live sensor data): Today is school summer break, but outside the typical late-morning/early-afternoon peak, so the effect is usually milder.
If it looks busy: The Minamiaso approach (via Nakamatsu) usually bypasses Kusasenri entirely, but that road is normally the first one closed when the crater alert is elevated like it is right now -- don't count on it today. Kusasenri's own parking/viewing area typically stays open even at higher alert levels, but the road beyond it to the summit terminal may not be; check the Aso Crater Access status above before heading up. Aso City publishes specific congestion forecasts ahead of major holiday weekends (Golden Week, Obon) on its website, worth checking the day before if you're coming on one. If Kusasenri's lot is full, Daikanbo and Komezuka are nearby viewpoints with their own separate parking.
Official Aso regulation status ↗
· Our full guide to visiting Aso ↗
· updated 14 hours ago
