Miyazaki City

Unlike Honshu, where you can rely solely on trains for transportation, buses become essential for getting around Kyushu. This trip involved long-distance travel from Beppu to Kurokawa Onsen, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and back to Fukuoka, and the dates weren't consecutive, making the Kitakyushu SUNQ Pass a perfect fit. The electronic purchase, activation, and display all went smoothly without any issues. Aside from the long-distance travel, buses were generally available in all the cities I visited. Considering the overall savings on transportation costs, it was quite worthwhile.

The tour guide was warm and friendly, providing clear explanations and reminders, and did his best to assist every passenger. The driver was also very professional and drove smoothly. Remember to check the email sent by the tour guide beforehand to avoid getting lost in the crowd at the morning meeting point.

The weather was great, and we were very lucky to be able to reach the Aso crater and see the magnificent green volcanic lake. We also had a clear view of the distant Kusa Senri area. January was very windy and cold, so remember to wear a hat, mask, windproof and warm clothing, and gloves, otherwise you'll be numb with cold. Our guide, Ms. Sugiyama Yoshiko, was very thoughtful and dedicated to guiding us. Besides introducing the sights on the bus, she also led us through the attractions, providing explanations as we went. We are very grateful for her dedicated guidance and highly recommend this trip. Takachiho Gorge involves many steps and slopes, so elderly people with mobility issues or low physical fitness should consider this option. For the return trip, you can ask your tour guide about taking a shuttle bus or taxi, otherwise walking this route can be quite physically demanding. There are also tours promoted by the Kumamoto government and businesses, which include shuttle bus services to various attractions. I highly recommend Sanka and the public onsen (hot spring bath) – it costs 500 yen per person and the bath truly warms you from within, leaving your skin smooth and soft. Other attractions allow you to explore less developed parts of Kumamoto, making it a great choice for solo travelers or families. These tours reach places not easily accessible by public transportation. For more information, please refer to https://yn-shuttle.com/

Since our accommodation was near the Sakuramachi Bus Terminal, and most other day tours depart from Kumamoto JR Station and require early morning departures, this tour was perfect because it included pick-up from the Sakuramachi Bus Terminal. Plus, we wanted to visit Aso and Takachiho, so it was ideal! If I remember correctly, this was a local tour company's itinerary, so about two-thirds of the passengers were locals. The tour guide spoke Japanese, but there was a Chinese-speaking translator, so there was no need to worry. The times for each stop were clearly indicated on signs. The tour quality was excellent; the guide, translator, and driver were all very friendly, and we had a great time. We ate lunch at a local restaurant in Takachiho and chatted with other Japanese members of the tour group, giving us a real sense of traveling abroad!

First of all, I'd like to thank our tour guide, CICO Liu Zhihong (a lovely, enthusiastic, and professional lady). Besides providing professional explanations, she also kindly helped each group take photos at every attraction to create wonderful memories. The return trip takes about three hours, but we stopped at a rest area for about an hour and a half to use the restroom and do some quick shopping. There was also plenty of rest time on the bus on the return journey, which was very convenient as we didn't have to drive ourselves. We heard that the crater visit to Mount Aso was entirely based on luck, depending on the weather and the amount of volcanic smoke; whether it was closed or not was all a matter of luck. 🍀 When we set off on the morning of January 4th, we heard that the crater was still closed, but the tour guide kept updating us. The boat trip at Takachiho Gorge in the morning was pleasant, comfortable, and the scenery was spectacular. The sun even came out during the boat trip! Next, we went to Kusasenri, a vast grassland. However, due to a blizzard two days prior, the horses weren't available, but we were able to experience ice skating on a large frozen area of the grassland. 🤗 Finally, when we heard that the crater was open, everyone arrived at the crater with a mix of joy and anticipation. Luckily, the sun was shining brightly, the wind had shifted, and the smoke wasn't blowing in our direction – we were so fortunate! We photographed the crater and volcanic lava, and even saw the stone refuge caves built for volcanic eruptions – it was truly an eye-opening experience. It was a fantastic trip, but everything depends on luck.