Welcome to Asoburu

Hello, travelers! I’m Riri, a writer for Sarukuma (^^♪

Have you heard about the latest gem in Takamori Town?

It’s “Sakura Michi” (Cherry Blossom Road) — a breathtaking 2-kilometer stretch of weeping cherry trees in full bloom!

Since 2023, during cherry blossom season, a food truck festival is held here, and part of the road is turned into a pedestrian-only zone ♪

The deep pink of the weeping cherries paired with the bright yellow rapeseed flowers, all set against the majestic Mt. Nekodake — it’s an unforgettable sight ☆

This stunning cherry blossom avenue was created by a local landscaping company that planted 10,000 cherry trees as part of a regional revitalization project. Best of all, they open it to the public for free during the blooming season ( ;∀;)

The company behind this beautiful project, “Dai-Aso Zoen,” is no ordinary landscaper!

They’ve actually provided plants and trees for prestigious sites like Sakura Machi (a major commercial complex) and even the castle area of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan!

And now, on March 26, 2024, Dai-Aso Zoen has opened a brand-new cafe called Asoburu!

The cafe is just a 2- to 3-minute drive from the Sakura Michi cherry blossom avenue!As you drive through the blueberry fields, getting closer and closer to Mt. Nekodake… Ta-da! There it is — the newly opened cafe, Asoburu ☆

You can park your car right in front of the cafe ♪
Here’s a peek inside Asoburu. It’s a takeout-only cafe! Inside, you’ll find photos showcasing the story of Dai-Aso Zoen and how the Sakura Michi cherry blossom avenue came to be ♪They also sell handmade accessories crafted by the staff (^^♪
The beadwork is absolutely adorable!
Here’s the menu from when I visited (above)!
It changes seasonally, so be sure to check their Instagram before heading out ♪

The limited-edition strawberry parfait uses berries from local grower “Aso Musume”!The two staple Asoburu Parfaits are shown on the left ☆

・Kuromitsu Kinako (Brown Sugar Syrup & Roasted Soybean Flour) — 550 yen

・Choco Oreo — 550 yen

There’s also a seasonal strawberry parfait, but on the day I visited, a Chocolate Raspberry parfait was on offer instead!
It’s wonderful to see seasonal fruits used in rotating limited-edition menu items ^^The raspberry option is also a seasonal special ☆

The signature Asoburu Parfait

I tried the Choco Oreo for 550 yen!

※For size reference, the first photo shows it held by a 2nd grader’s hand. The next ones are held by an adult (around 40) lol.

Inside, you’ll find layers of: whipped cream, banana, Oreo cookies, chocolate sauce, chocolate ice cream, and homemade oatmeal granola!
The oatmeal granola is especially thoughtful — one of the staff members has a daughter with eczema, so she carefully selected ingredients (including beet sugar instead of refined sugar) to make a treat that’s gentle and safe for everyone to enjoy ^^ Raspberry Milk — 550 yen

Once you stir it, the drink turns a soft pink color — the perfect companion for cherry blossom viewing ♪There are plenty of benches set up next to Asoburu, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your treats ♪
The portions are easy for kids to hold and enjoy ☆ Sweets with a view of Mt. Nekodake — could there be a better way to spend an afternoon? (^^♪There’s a hand-washing station to the left of the shop — a real lifesaver for families with kids! The restroom is also located behind the left side of the shop!Since it’s brand new, the restroom still has that lovely fresh-wood scent!
There’s no diaper-changing station or baby seat, but it’s spotlessly clean and well maintained ^^ If you keep walking past the restroom toward the back, you’ll find a hidden gem — the “Secret Sakura Michi”… And there it is — Mt. Nekodake in all its glory!

The cherry trees here haven’t bloomed yet, but with so many planted, this is going to be a fantastic hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spot!
Unlike Sakura Michi, there are no power lines or other obstructions — just a perfectly unobstructed view of Mt. Nekodake! Several different cherry tree varieties are planted here, so visitors can enjoy some kind of cherry blossom throughout the entire month of April!

And here’s something you can’t miss — Asoburu is also a blueberry farm!
Solar panels provide nice shade, and mats are laid out so you don’t have to worry about dirty shoes — perfect for visiting with kids!

The farm is set to soft-open in July 2024, with around 30 different varieties of blueberries to enjoy!

I can’t wait to see what blueberry-themed cafe items they’ll be serving in the summer!

Be sure to stop by Dai-Aso Zoen’s lovely cafe “Asoburu” on your next adventure in Aso (^^♪

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is accurate as of the time of reporting. Prices and opening hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.