Taka, Mt. Naka, Mt. Eboshi, and Mt. Kishima are cones formed following the fourth above-mentioned huge caldera eruption. Mt. Naka remains active today. Aso's pyroclastic flow deposits (welded tuff) were utilized for bridge construction in the region, There are approximately 320 arched stone bridges in Kumamoto Prefecture, including the Tsujun-kyo and Reitai-kyo bridges on the Midorikawa River, which are important national cultural properties. A new eruption began at 11:43 a.m. on 20 October 2021. Climate With an elevation of ., Mount Aso has a climate that falls as humid continental (Köppen climate classification "Dfb"), with warm summers and cold winters. Precipitation is high throughout the year, which brings the area to have borderline subtropical characteristics as well. They are particularly heavy in June and July, where over of rain fell in each month. National Park The mountain is a key feature that contributed to the original Aso Kujū National Park. Spectacular sights such as the seasonal flowering of Rhododendron kiusianum on the slopes of Takadake reflect significant protected botanical ecosystems. Tourism A cable car system, the Mount Aso Ropeway, opened in 1958 to provide access to the mountain. It closed in 2016, and has since been dismantled. A shuttle bus now runs to the crater's edge. At the foot of the mountain there are also various campsites, and horse riding at Kusasenrigahama. Because Mount Aso is a volcano, there are many onsen hot springs in the area. Hiking Mt. Aso has numerous hiking trails leading to the interesting peaks and mountains around the crater. The Nakadake trail will take you to the highest peak which is part of the active crater and often closed when volcanic gas or volcanic activity is too high. The other surrounding trails offer enjoyable terrain and unique views over the grasslands, the Aso crater, and a small conical peak called Komezuka. Nearly all of the trails (excluding Nekodake) can be accessed from the bus stop at the museum. In popular culture In Ishirō Honda's kaiju films, Mount Aso is home to the giant pteranodon creature Rodan. In Rodan, the creature and its mate perish in the volcano's eruption. Mount Aso serves as the inspiration of Mt. Chimney in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokémon Emerald and the remake Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. In the manga Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka by Makoto Fukami and Seigo Tokiya, the final battle of the Distonian War that took