Why Aso Hill Climb Becomes a Destination, Not Just a Race

Editor Shusaku Matsuo

A former professional road cyclist and cycling journalist, Shusaku Matsuo promotes cycling tourism and local revitalization across Japan. He introduces scenic cycling routes, local food, and cultural experiences, sharing the beauty of Japan through road bike adventures. His articles encourage riders from around the world to explore Japan’s diverse cycling destinations.

The Aso Hill Climb was far more than a conventional hill climb race.
Held from November 22 to 23, 2025, the event is structured around two distinct experiences: a full-scale hill climb race of 11.6 kilometers with approximately 608 meters of elevation gain, and a non-competitive cycling event covering about 63.6 kilometers. It attracts not only riders eager to test their limits, but also cyclists who travel to experience Aso’s extraordinary natural landscape. Sharing the same views, climbing the same roads, and riding in the same wind with cyclists from Japan and abroad, the Aso Hill Climb becomes a powerful way to understand the true character of Aso through the body. It is, quite simply, the perfect introduction to this remarkable place.

Being “Welcomed” Into the Land of Aso

I arrived in Aso on the evening before the event.
As I drove deeper into the mountains, the road suddenly opened up, and I found myself at a loss for words.

Endless grasslands stretched out before me, while layers of mountain ridgelines glowed softly in the evening light.
I had often heard people say, “Aso is vast,” but those words barely captured the reality.
This land speaks through its sheer scale.

Even though I had only just arrived, I already felt certain that these three days would be something special. That feeling came to me quietly, on the very first evening.

A Calm Eve Before the Race

The following day would feature the highlight of the event: the Minami-Aso Hill Climb race.
Yet the atmosphere on the night before was surprisingly relaxed.

There was none of the tension that often surrounds race eve. Instead, conversations and smiles filled the air.

“Looking forward to tomorrow,”
people said naturally to one another.

Rather than focusing solely on competition, everyone seemed genuinely excited simply to ride in Aso.
The true spirit of the event was already apparent the night before the start.

Morning of Day Two: Cold Air and a Rewarding Sunrise

I arrived at the venue early on the second day, well before sunrise.
To be honest, it was very cold. Even through my gloves, I could feel the sharp chill of the Aso morning.

But the cold was quickly rewarded.
The sky slowly turned shades of red as the sunrise spread across the horizon. White morning mist drifted over the grasslands, and the outlines of the mountains emerged in a dreamlike scene.

Before I knew it, many riders were standing still, smartphones raised, all facing the same direction—toward Mount Aso, the mountain we were about to climb.

Everyone had been captivated by the view.

A Festive Start, with Kumamon Adding Warmth

The start area was far livelier than I had expected.
Rather than tension, there was a festival-like atmosphere.

Then Kumamon, Kumamoto’s beloved mascot, appeared.
As soon as he did, the mood softened instantly. Japanese and international participants alike lined up for photos, smiling without hesitation.

Despite being a competitive event, the Aso Hill Climb never overwhelms riders with pressure.
Instead, it leaves space for enjoyment—and that balance felt essential to its character.

Another Side of Aso Revealed During the Climb

With the starting gun, I set off near the front of the Minami-Aso Hill Climb course—11.6 kilometers with roughly 608 meters of elevation gain.
A pack quickly formed, merging riders together, and the pace was fast from the very beginning.

The race offers age-group categories and attracts many serious competitors chasing times.
Yet not everyone there is focused solely on results. Racers and traveling cyclists alike share the same scenery—views that can only be experienced in this place.

Although I had trained for the event, I began to drift away from the lead group before the midpoint of the course.
I felt frustrated, of course.

But surprisingly, my mindset shifted almost immediately.

“I didn’t come here just to compete.”

The moment I thought that, everything changed.

Letting Go of Competition, and Discovering the Scenery

I eased my pace and focused on my breathing.
As the distance progressed and the elevation increased, the view below opened dramatically.

Rolling grasslands.
The ridgelines of the outer caldera.
And near the end, the immense panorama of the Aso caldera came into view.

My heart leapt.

Without question, this was the most beautiful landscape I have ever experienced in a hill climb race.
The course length is demanding yet manageable, allowing riders to stay fully engaged without losing focus.

By letting go of competition, I finally understood just how luxurious this course truly is.

Disappointment, and a Lasting Sense of Achievement

After crossing the finish line, I found myself taking a long breath.“I’m glad I came,”
I thought, sincerely.

Due to volcanic gas conditions, access to the crater area was restricted, and we were unable to visit it.
Honestly, that was disappointing.

Still, the fact that I had climbed Aso—and the memory of riding through that scenery—left me with a deep sense of accomplishment.

After crossing the finish line, I found myself taking a long breath.

“I’m glad I came,”
I thought, sincerely.

The Downhill: Another Reward

And then came one of the true pleasures of any hill climb event—the descent back to the start area.

As I dropped in elevation, cutting through the wind, the vast Aso landscape spread out before me once again.
The scenery looked completely different from the way it had on the climb.

That exhilarating downhill is yet another reason the Aso Hill Climb is so memorable.

Cyclists Gathering From Beyond Borders

The event hosts roughly 1,000 participants in total, with 500 riders in each category.
In addition to cyclists from across Japan, many participants come from China and South Korea.

Some riders compete fiercely in age-group categories ranging from their 30s to 60s and beyond. Others ride simply as travelers, unconcerned with rankings.
This diversity adds even more color to Aso’s roads.

After the race, I spoke with a couple from South Korea.
They told me:

“Everyone was so friendly, and riding a hill climb surrounded by such incredible scenery was truly unforgettable.”

They never mentioned their results or times.
What stayed with them was not the outcome, but the experience itself.
That, I believe, is the true value of this event.

Day Three: Completing the Experience Through a Ride Event

On the third day came the Minami-Aso & Takamori Cycling event, a non-competitive ride of approximately 63.6 kilometers.
Without rankings, the atmosphere changed entirely.
Riders chatted as they rode, sharing stories and laughter.
“Yesterday’s climb was tough.”
“But the scenery was amazing.”

A sense of connection emerged naturally—something only shared experiences can create.
It was clear to me then that the Aso Hill Climb is not complete until the third day.

The Event Is Only the Beginning

One thought stayed with me throughout the event.
The Aso Hill Climb is not a destination in itself—it is a gateway.

Aso is worth riding not only on race days, but on any day.
If this event encourages people to return, to explore more of Aso by bicycle, then it has already succeeded.

A Place You Want to Return to Ride Again

The Aso Hill Climb is not merely a race.
It is an experience shaped by overwhelming natural scale, cyclists from across borders, and moments that go beyond competition.

Now that the three days are over, I find myself thinking:

“Which season should I come back next?”

Aso is a place you want to return to—again and again.

Mt. ASO Hill Climb Official Web Site