Takachiho

You can visit two must-see attractions in one day, the Wagyu beef lunch was delicious, the service was excellent, and the optional boat ride is highly recommended.

Our tour guide, Sun Peng, was very responsible and humorous, providing detailed introductions to each attraction. Since it was a holiday, the journey from Kumamoto was smooth. The guide said we'd have two hours to visit the site and see firsthand the magnificent cliff formations and waterfalls of Takachiho Gorge – it was truly breathtaking! None of us in the family wanted to go boating 😂 So we chose to hike to Takachiho Shrine for our prayers. The mountain scenery along the way was so beautiful that it made us forget the fatigue of the climb. Takachiho Shrine boasts a history of over 1900 years and is home to many towering trees, most notably the sacred Father Cedar and the Couple Trees. At Takachiho Shrine, you can fully immerse yourself in the Japanese atmosphere, absorb phytoncides, draw fortune slips, and pray for good luck. We bought a bunch of amulets to bless ourselves and give to friends. On the way back, we crossed a bridge and saw beautiful scenery. We were so glad we had hiked up. Ueshikimi Kumanozha Shrine was a place I was really looking forward to. It truly was a serene and beautiful place, the setting for the popular anime *Natsume's Book of Friends* and *Hotarubi no Mori e*. With its hundreds of stone lanterns, moss-covered paths, and rock formations, it creates a fantastical atmosphere like another world. The sunlight occasionally filtered through the cedar forest, making it truly dreamy and beautiful. There were also some unmelted snowflakes along the path, adding to its beauty. It was a place I found very beautiful and loved. Due to the helicopter accident at Mount Aso, Mount Aso is still closed. We went to the closest point we could see to view the volcano. 🌋 Smoke was constantly rising from the mountaintop, and there were even cute little snowmen built here. The temperature was quite low and windy, so it got rather chilly after a while. Next stop was Kusasenri, another place to view Mount Aso. I imagined there would be cows and horses on the grasslands, but there wasn't a single one! 😅 The tour guide said they were on winter break. 🤣 Climbing to the top of the mountain allows for a closer view of Mount Aso 🌋, but again, it was very windy and cold at the summit. I took a quick photo and left. The Aso milk I bought there was delicious (I forgot to take a picture 😅). On the way back, the tour guide asked the driver to take us to see the TSMC campus. I was still half asleep, so I didn't take any pictures 😆

The flowing somen noodles are a must-try, but I recommend going there early on, otherwise you might have to wait for many groups and not be able to get back to the bus in time. The Michelin three-star ice cream at Kusanagi Senri is a must-try; I highly recommend the pudding and caramel walnut flavors. There was snow along the way, and it was incredibly cold! But the scenery was beautiful and worth the trip! Our guide, Ge Ning, was excellent; he explained things clearly and was very easy to get along with. Highly recommended.

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.

Our tour guide, Xiao Chen, was professional and funny, making for a great trip. The other tourists were very cooperative, arriving at each attraction on time. Plus, the weather was great, making every place a beautiful spot for photos. Thumbs up!

Jimmy is the top tour guide I recommend. Basically, if you're in Fukuoka and want to visit some of the famous tourist spots, then signing up is definitely worthwhile! 👍 You can finish it in one day, and then spend the other days enjoying leisurely sightseeing and good food.