The crater area is currently under Eruption Alert Level 3 as of August 14, 2026. Entry is prohibited within approximately 2km of the Nakadake crater; the crater-view shuttle bus and crater observation are not operating. The park road operates during daylight hours only (8:30 AM - 6:00 PM in summer), but visitors cannot access the crater area itself.
- Restricted radius: 2,000 m
- Crater shuttle bus: Not operating
- Areas affected: Nakadake crater (中岳火口)
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 ↗
· updated 2 hours ago
