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Shirakawa Spring

Shirakawa Springfamous watersMinami-Asospring watercaldera

Kumamoto · Minamiaso

32.8475°N, 131.0978°E

The Shirakawa river, which runs through the middle of Kumamoto City, starts here — sixty tonnes a minute coming up out of the ground at a constant fourteen degrees in a pool under trees in the Minami-Aso caldera floor. It is one of the hundred famous waters designated by the Environment Ministry.

The water is drinkable straight from the source and people come with containers. There is a small shrine beside it, cedar trees around it and a village of shops selling soba, tofu and coffee made with it. The charge is ¥100, described as an environmental conservation contribution rather than admission. The nearest station on the Minami-Aso Railway is named after the spring and is fifteen minutes' walk away.

Essential Information

Opening Hours

Daylight hours | Shops keep their own hours

Closed: Open year-round

Entrance Fee

¥100 environmental conservation contribution

Best Season

Year-round | Summer for the cold water

Visit Duration

45–60 minutes

Getting There

Access Information

Shirakawa 2092, Minamiaso, Aso District. By car from central Kumamoto, from Kumamoto Airport or from Kusasenrigahama; or about a short walk from Minami-Aso-Shirakawa-Suigen Station on the Minami-Aso Railway. An environmental conservation contribution of ¥100 is collected on entry. The spring produces around 60 tonnes a minute at a constant 14°C and the water may be taken away. Shops around the site sell soba, tofu and other products made with it.

Insider Guide

Premium

**Bring a bottle.** The water is drinkable at the source and taking it away is expected. Shops sell containers if you arrive without one. **¥100, and it is a conservation contribution.** Not an admission fee, and it is the cheapest ticket in Aso. **Fourteen degrees, all year.** Which is cold in August and unremarkable in January. Summer is when the temperature is the point. **The station is named after it.** Minami-Aso-Shirakawa-Suigen, fifteen minutes' walk, on a railway that is itself worth riding. **Eat the soba.** The shops around the spring make it with this water, which is the reason they are there.

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