Aka-ushi Burgers: A Post-Shrine Gourmet Tour with Your Dog!

On this trip, I stopped by the area right next to Aso Shrine. There are several shops proudly advertising their Aka-ushi burgers, making it hard to choose! For now, I decided to grab one from a charming little shop near the parking lot.

The burger I received was impressively heavy and packed with volume! The patty, made from Aso’s signature Aka-ushi (red cattle) beef, was lean with very little excess fat, yet bursting with concentrated savory flavor. It seems each shop has its own specialty—some use a sweet teriyaki-style sauce, while others stick to a simple salt-and-pepper base to let the meat speak for itself.

The taste was exactly what you’d want from a local specialty: a comforting, familiar deliciousness. It isn’t trying to be overly flashy, but biting into it while sitting on a bench with my dog in the crisp Aso air made it feel like the finest feast imaginable.

By the way, one particularly famous spot in this area is “Aso Aka-ushi Burger Specialist Yamakaze.” Looking at the reviews, people rave about it, saying things like “The meatiness is incredible and so juicy!” and “A must-visit every time I’m in Aso.” It’s clear that Aka-ushi burgers are a consistently popular staple here.

Many shops offer terrace seating or have benches set up along the street, so you can enjoy your gourmet meal with your dog without any hesitation.

A Casual Gourmet Stroll Paired with Aso Shrine

After soaking in the sacred atmosphere of Aso Shrine, there’s nothing like wandering through the shrine town and taking a big bite out of an Aka-ushi burger.

These burgers are a direct way to taste the bounty of Aso and are the perfect way to recharge your energy during a walk. Since every shop has a different style, I’m looking forward to trying a different one on my next visit to find my ultimate favorite.

If you’re visiting Aso Shrine with your dog, be sure to take a stroll and find your own perfect burger!