・Aso Nature Land (Aso City)
・SkyWalker-amakusa (Kamiamakusa City)
・Jet Helicopter Service (Aso City)

Have you ever thought, "If only I had wings, I'd soar across the open sky!"? Air sports such as paragliding and parasailing can help you, to a certain extent, make that dream a reality. In Kumamoto, there are aerial activity spots where you can enjoy the natural beauty of Aso and the beautiful seas of ​​Amakusa from high above. In this article, we will look into a carefully selected list of spots where children, adults, and beginners can casually enjoy such activities. Be sure to give it a try!

Aso Nature Land's half-day paragliding experience (6,500 yen per person) is popular because even beginners can take on the challenge with confidence, as it includes a thorough instructor-led course and ground practice. Children over 40kg can also participate, making it a recommended activity for family trips. Single participants are also welcome, so it's easy to join even if you're alone.

There is a morning session starting at 9:00 and an afternoon session starting at 13:30, with a session duration of about 2 to 3 hours. After learning about the equipment and how to take off, land, and steer, participants practice with the instructor and fly solo at an altitude of 20 to 30 meters!

A group undergoing flight instruction

After taking a running start down a small hill, your body will float up and you will experience a stroll through the air with a panoramic view of the Aso mountains. Because the open fields are used exclusively for paragliding, there is no danger of collision with nearby obstacles, so even beginners can experience a pressure-free flight with confidence.

For children weighing under 40kg (elementary school age and younger), there is also an instructor tandem course where they ride together with an instructor (4,400 yen per flight).

After finishing the half-day experience, you will be issued a commemorative certificate. Presenting the certificate on following visits will grant you a special discount!

Aso Nature Land also offers a wide range of other attractions such as hot air balloon rides, trekking to the source of the Mazeno Gorge, and Aso Sky Yoga. Please check out their website for more info.

"SkyWalker-amakusa" in Amakusa, Kumamoto is the only location in Kyushu, outside of Okinawa Prefecture, where you can experience parasailing. Parasailing is an extremely exhilarating activity in which you wear a circular parachute and fly over the ocean while being pulled by a motorboat. You can enjoy both the sky and the sea as you fly over the endless ocean like a seabird.

The experience begins with a cruise to the flight location. You can choose from rope lengths of 50 meters (7,000 yen per person), 100 meters (8,000 yen per person), 150 meters (9,000 yen per person), and 200 meters (10,000 yen per person), the last of which is roughly equivalent to the height of a 30-story building! Staff will be on hand to provide full support, so children (ages 4 and up) are also welcome to give it a try.

During the 10 minutes or so you spend parasailing, you'll have the Amakusa sea all to yourself. Gazing out over the distant mountains and greenery, all while feeling the pleasant ocean breeze, will refresh your mind and body. Why not spend some luxury time, as if you were at a resort, with parasailing?

Finally, there is a helicopter tour that flies over Mt. Aso, including the Nakadake crater. There are two boarding points: Mt. Aso Peak and Cuddly Dominion. There are two courses departing from Mt. Aso Peak and four courses departing from Cuddly Dominion, with a wide variety of options available, from easy courses of about 3 minutes to chartered courses of about 15 minutes.

Among these, the spectacular flight course that gives you a close-up view of the Nakadake crater is especially recommended! Flights are available from both launch points, but for now we will look at the "Mt. Aso Special Course (approximately 10 minutes)" (14,000 yen for adults, 13,000 yen for children) departing from Cuddly Dominion. This is a comprehensive tour that features all the highlights of Mt. Aso, including Komezuka, Kusasenri, and the Nakadake crater.
*For flights departing from Cuddly Dominion, in addition to the helicopter fee, you will also need to pay the Cuddly Dominion admission fee.

The first thing you'll see after you set off is Komezuka. It's shaped like an upside-down bowl, with a large depression at the top. This angle can only be seen from the air!

This is Kusasenri. You can get a good view of it from the air.

A rare view of the Nakadake crater from above. The rising smoke and rugged mountainside are spectacular. The thrill of seeing an active volcano up close will be a lifelong memory.

Flights may be canceled depending on the weather on the day, so advance reservations are not possible. Registrations can be made on the day of, but as this is a popular activity, make sure to register early!