Aso

It's super convenient to buy and use immediately; just redeem it at the counter! Since I went on a weekday, it wasn't crowded! The main activities were taking a helicopter ride to see Asu and petting the bears! It was great; the zoo is large, but there weren't many animals! The shows were pretty good, but the place smelled quite bad 😂

We boarded the bus at 8:00 AM. The highway to Takachiho was heavily congested at first, taking 4.5 hours to reach the destination. However, Takachiho itself was truly beautiful, with stunning scenery everywhere you looked. A small tip: if you haven't signed up for the boat tour, don't rush; you can take your time to explore and take photos. But I still recommend taking the boat since you're already there. Lunch was quite authentic, though I didn't particularly like the beef. The Aso Volcano and Kusanagi Scenic Area tour was fairly standard, and the traffic didn't shorten our sightseeing time. After a long 12-hour drive, everyone was tired. The tour guide was very professional and attentive, even helping us take photos. However, these locations are difficult to reach without a car, so overall, I still recommend it.

I highly recommend KKday to take your family to Aso and Takachiho for boating. You can grab boating tickets and don't have to worry about transportation. It was our first time on a group tour, and we were worried our elders wouldn't be able to keep up. Our guide from Xinjiang, Daisy, was incredibly good at problem-solving, and we loved her pace! 🩷🩷🩷 This experience was a joy for my family and made the tour leader very proud. Plus, the Aso milk ice cream she recommended was absolutely delicious!

Our first stop was Iromi-Kumano Shrine. The entire forest was filled with a tranquil and sacred atmosphere, as if we had stepped into the world of ancient Japanese mythology. Next, we headed to Kusasenri. Thick fog blanketed the area, and the tour leader was worried that we wouldn't be able to see the beautiful scenery or visit the crater. He kept in touch with the crater to see if it was open. Upon arriving at Kusasenri, we were met with an endless expanse of "fog-covered landscape," and the whole group was somewhat disappointed. But slowly, the fog dissipated, and the tour guide received a call informing everyone that the crater was open. The whole group was overjoyed. Taking the shuttle bus, we finally saw the crater emitting white smoke – it was truly a worthwhile trip. In the afternoon, we visited Kurokawa Onsen. The streets were full of traditional Japanese charm, with small bridges, streams, and wooden inns creating a nostalgic warmth. The tour leader also recommended we soak in the hot springs and eat onsen eggs. Overall, the itinerary was well-planned but not rushed, with smooth transportation and guided tours. It was a perfect one-day trip combining nature, culture, and the healing power of hot springs. If I ever visit Kumamoto again, I would definitely like to stay in Aso for a few more days to fully experience its magnificent yet tranquil charm.