Exploring Aso’s Spring Water: Shirakawa and Ikeyama Springs

Aso boasts two water sources that have been chosen for the Ministry of the Environment’s “100 Famous Waters” list: Shirakawa Spring in Minamiaso Village and Ikeyama Spring in Ubuyama Village. Shirakawa Spring produces about 60 tons of water per minute, and Ikeyama Spring flows at around 30 tons per minute. The water temperatures remain steady throughout the year at 14°C and 13.5°C, respectively.

The water from Shirakawa Spring becomes the Shirakawa River, which flows through central Kumamoto City. The water from Ikeyama Spring flows toward Oita Prefecture, eventually joining the Ono River before emptying into Beppu Bay. Although both springs originate in Aso, one nourishes the city of Kumamoto, while the other journeys to the sea in Oita.

Shirakawa Spring (Minamiaso Village)

Shirakawa Spring is a natural spring in Shirakawa, Minamiaso Village. It is the source of the Shirakawa River running through the heart of Kumamoto City, with approximately 60 tons of water bubbling up from its bed every minute.
Visit Shirakawa Spring’s page

The spring water can be drunk on-site, and you are welcome to take some home. Bottled treated water and empty bottles are also sold there, so you don’t need to bring your own container to take water with you.

• Environmental Conservation Fee: 100 yen for high school students and older (Free for junior high school students and younger)
• Parking: Available
• By Car: About 80 minutes from Kumamoto City center / 40 minutes from Kumamoto Airport / 25 minutes from Kusasenrigahama
• By Rail: About 15-minute walk from Minamiaso Shirakawa Spring Station on the Minamiaso Railway
• Contact: 0967-67-1112 (Minamiaso Village Planning and Tourism Section)

Source: Kumamoto Prefecture Tourism Federation – Shirakawa Spring (Accessed 2026-10-14)

Visiting After Kusasenrigahama

Since Shirakawa Spring is about a 25-minute drive from Kusasenrigahama, you can plan your visit to walk across the grassy plains atop Mt. Aso before heading down to Shirakawa Spring.
Visit Kusasenrigahama’s page

Ikeyama Spring (Ubuyama Village)

Ikeyama Spring is located in Tajiri, Ubuyama Village, surrounded by trees believed to be over 200 years old, with approximately 30 tons of water flowing out every minute. The water temperature remains steady at 13.5°C throughout the year.
Visit Ikeyama Spring’s page

The spring water flows into the Yamaga River, which becomes the Tamaki River, merging with the Ono River before finally reaching Beppu Bay. Locally, this spring has long been used for drinking water and irrigation. Today, it also serves as the source for bottled water products.

Please Do Not Enter the Spring

The water from Ikeyama Spring is still used as drinking water today. Ubuyama Village requests that visitors refrain from putting their hands or feet in the spring and from bringing cameras or equipment into the spring itself. Photography is permitted from outside the spring area.

• Parking: 30 spaces
• By Car: About 1 hour 30 minutes from Kumamoto IC / 50 minutes from Kuju IC via Oita Expressway / 1 hour 30 minutes from Hita IC via Oguni and Daikanbo
• Contact: 0967-25-2211 (Ubuyama Village Planning and Promotion Section)

Sources:

• Ubuyama Village – Ikeyama Spring (Accessed 2026-10-14)
• Kumamoto Prefecture Tourism Federation – Ikeyama Spring (Accessed 2026-10-14)

Which to Visit First?

Shirakawa Spring is about a 40-minute drive from Kumamoto Airport, while Ikeyama Spring is roughly 50 minutes from Kuju IC on the Oita Expressway and about 1 hour 30 minutes from Kumamoto IC. If you are entering Aso from the Kumamoto side, Shirakawa Spring will be more convenient. If you come from the Oita side, Ikeyama Spring will be closer.

Photo (Shirakawa Spring): © Kumamoto Prefecture Tourism Federation

(Information current as of October 15, 2026)