Enjoying Aso in Late Autumn!

Hello, I am "Iron Horse Photographer" who just loves traveling in Kyushu. Following last year, this year's Webike Touring Rally Aso started on Saturday, October 4. However, it was raining in the Aso area, even though it was the first day of the rally. Many riders must have wondered whether to force through or postpone the rally. I had planned to run for two days from the first day of the event, but due to the rainy weather forecast, I had no choice but to change my schedule and participate in the event on October 6 (Mon.) and 7 (Tue.). But as luck would have it, a sea of clouds appeared on the first day, and we were off to a great start with a hint of autumn in the air!

Webike Touring Rally 2025 started at Gondoshalolee, a campground with a view of the sea of clouds!

Participating in the Webike Touring Rally is super easy! But there is a caveat!

As I wrote in my previous article, it is super easy to participate in the rally. All you have to do is download the Webike application from the Webike website, create your own account, and log in. Then you can get points by checking in at the main spots and bonus spots of the touring rally. However, there are a few points you need to be aware of.

1.In addition to the main spots, there are also 5 bonus (gourmet) spots. 2. Check-in start and end times are fixed, so check the check-in times. 3. If you do not read the application instructions carefully, you may be a little confused when checking in. I was not able to read the instructions carefully, so I ended up with a lot of problems, such as invalid check-in and clumsy operation (lol). The latest Webike app is easy to use and easy to read, so if you need to update your Webike app, please do so, and if you read the instructions carefully, you will be able to enjoy the app even more. Reading and understanding the instructions carefully is the first step to enjoying the rally!

Driving schedule of Webike Touring Rally Aso 2025

Now, I will write about my impressions of the Webike Touring Rally Aso 2025 and some notes on the scheduling of the rally.

1.Dividing the area for efficient touring

In my previous article, I wrote that dividing the area into 4 areas is more efficient, but this time I divided the area into 2 and participated over 2 days. Using Minami-Oguni Town as our base, we will visit the Otsu-cho area and the Oguni-cho and Minami-Oguni Town areas on the first day, and the Aso area and the Minami-Aso and Yamato-cho areas on the second day, taking two days to check in at the gourmet spots as well. With at least two days, you will be able to see the main spots, and also be able to relax at delicious gourmet spots and cafes.

2.The Yamato Town area is a long distance to travel, so please allow plenty of time!

While it is surprisingly easy to get from Nishihara Village to the Yamato Town area, the distance from Yamato Town to Takamori Town is surprisingly long, so you may need to plan your trip with plenty of time to spare. Incidentally, Nishihara Village has a gourmet area, so be sure to check it out!

3.Make good use of the gourmet spots around Takamorimachi Station, too!

There are also kaiten-yaki restaurants and cafes in Takamorimachi, so if you are tired, perhaps it would be a good idea to check in and take a break as much as you can! What I personally recommend is why the owner gets so excited when a motorcycle comes by? Tanoshikatei, a rotating grill. There are many repeat customers, and the owner likes to chat with them, so you may end up staying longer (laugh). There is also a rider's café nearby, so it is good to talk about motorcycles with them!

4.The scenic route is under a "look away" warning!

The course includes some super scenic roads such as Kusasenrigahama, Aso Panorama Road, Milk Road, etc. It is very dangerous to ride while gazing at the scenery, so please park your bike in a safe place and take your time to admire Aso's spectacular scenery.

Here is an introduction from the iron horse's point of view! Six recommended checkpoints that you should take your time to see.

If you include gourmet spots, there are 25 checkpoints in total, but I especially want you to go to these checkpoints! I have selected the best spots for you to visit and see! We have selected, at our own discretion and prejudice, the spots we highly recommend you visit.

1.HONDA Welcome Park

Honda Welcome Park in Otsu-cho, Kumamoto Prefecture, is a must-see spot for motorcycle enthusiasts, with motorcycles and racing bikes from the past lined up on display. Admission is free, which makes it easy and accessible for anyone to enter. This spot became a hot topic of conversation when former World GP rider Freddie Spencer visited the park as part of the "Enjoy HONDA 2025" event that was held the other day.

Don't miss the museum with all the famous cars and MotoGP machines of yesteryear!

There is also a space where you can witness the world of Honda products.

2.Roadside Station Asobanosato Kugini

This roadside station boasts great popularity as a place to eat and shop with the majestic mountains of Aso in the background. The adjacent Soba Dojo is also popular as a hands-on facility where visitors can try their hand at making soba (buckwheat noodles). Not to be forgotten is the rich soft-serve ice cream. It is so tasty and rich that you will scream in your mouth the moment you put it in your mouth, so be sure to try it even in the cooler weather.

The character of Minami Aso? How about a commemorative photo with "Kana-chan," the character of Minami Aso?

3.Daikanbo

Located along Milk Road on the northern outer rim of Aso, Taikanbo is 935 meters above sea level, and the difference in elevation from the Aso Valley (downtown Aso) directly below is approximately 400 meters, making it one of Aso's most spectacular scenic spots. Early in the morning from autumn to winter, you can sometimes see a mysterious sea of clouds!

A commemorative photo in front of a monument on the property!

On holidays, this is a very popular spot with more bikes than can fit in the parking spaces!

4.Nabigataki Waterfall

Nabigataki Waterfall, which is said to have been created by a huge eruption about 90,000 years ago that created the Aso caldera, has a drop of about 10 m and a width of about 20 m. The water falling down like a curtain is very mysterious. The waterfall can be seen up close by the river, and is a healing spot where visitors can feel the negative ions throughout their bodies.

Nabigataki Falls, which became popular through a commercial, has an admission fee of 300 yen for adults (high school students and older).

It is also famous for its precious Urami Falls! Beware of the dripping water drops.

5.Kuroshiba Coffee

Riders' cafe in Takamori-cho. It can be used as a shelter from unexpected rain during touring! Air compressors, air gauges, and compressors are also available. The name "Kuroshiba Coffee" comes from the type of Shiba dog (Kuroshiba) that the owner used to own, which became the name of the store as it is!

Rider's Cafe Kuroshiba Coffee, where you can take a breather for some reason

Let's have a good time talking about motorcycles & Kuroshiba with the master!

Check in with a QR code while your kaitenyaki is baking!

How to fully enjoy Webike Touring Rally Aso?

Anyway, since you are touring in Aso, I think the secret to enjoy Webike Touring Rally Aso to the fullest is to have enough time and not to do "unreasonable scheduling" and to use the application to the fullest! It might also be fun to decide on your own starting point and route, and color the order of the stops in your own way! I hope you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of Aso this autumn as well!

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