Kusasenri

The itinerary timing was perfect, the transportation was very convenient, and with the guide's simple explanations and undisturbed free time, it was suitable for the whole family.

1. The Aso sightseeing bus stops at Sakuramachi Bus Terminal, and also at Kumamoto Airport and Aso Station, which is very convenient. 2. There is ample time to visit attractions: Daikanbo, Aso Shrine, and Kusasenrihama. However, due to the recent helicopter accident at Mount Aso, it was unfortunately impossible to go up to the Nakadake crater! 3. The staff on board clearly explained the meeting time and location and recommended restaurants at each location, which was very helpful to travelers. 4. Seating was not freely selectable, which was a bit of a shame. Usually, bus day trips allow first-come, first-served seating, but this time our whole family was assigned to the last row, with a poor view...

Solo travelers are fine too, transportation is very convenient, just follow the tour guide. The guide will explain what we'll be doing later on the bus, recommend local specialties, and the Chinese food is delicious. Solo travelers don't need to force themselves to socialize; you can eat lunch on your own. Most of the time you have free time after the designated time. If you meet other travelers, it'll be quieter. You can also sleep comfortably on the bus.

Before setting off, I was a little worried after seeing negative reviews on the tour guide website, but after experiencing it with friends, I think it was quite good. Our guide, Mr. Yang, was very nice; he was the only one in the group who stood out from the others, making him easy to spot. He was very attentive, and the conversations were interesting. No one was late for any of the group meetings, and the overall process was smooth. Takachiho Gorge is just as beautiful as it looks in the photos and is definitely worth a visit. However, since it's in the mountains, people with mobility issues might want to consider it.

It rained when I left home that morning, and I was worried that the weather would affect the trip, but luckily it cleared up later. The shrine in the towering, dense forest was quite picturesque, with many steps that were a bit physically demanding to climb. The view down from the top was beautiful and well worth it. Kusanagi Senri was also very photogenic, but it was very windy and cold, so you really need to wear a hat, gloves, and warm clothes, otherwise you'll be blown away. You need to take a shuttle bus to get to the Aso crater. Luckily, the weather cleared up, so we were able to go up to Kurokawa Onsen, which is a great place to visit. You can soak your feet, and if you have enough time, you can also go for a bath. There's a shop selling cream puffs and puddings that you can try. Personally, I thought it was just average. Thanks to our guide, Ms. Kong Yan, for her meticulous and informative explanations. She also managed the time very well, ensuring that the trip was completed without any delays, so everyone could have a complete experience and leave with a full heart.

After booking your trip, you'll receive a voucher, which will be a PDF. The PDF will detail the boarding times, itinerary, tickets, and important notes (in Chinese). The places that felt a bit rushed were the Aso Mt. Terminal and the Aso Crater. According to the itinerary, upon arriving at Terminal, you have to queue for the bus, and since the bus arrives quickly, there's no time to eat ice cream or browse souvenir shops. The time spent at the Aso Crater is also a bit short, especially if you want to take plenty of photos and walk all the trails, which requires more time. Back at Terminal, I remember the bus departs in 15 minutes, so if you need to use the restroom, eat ice cream, or browse the souvenir shops, there's definitely not enough time. Lunch was at Douce Nucca, next to the Kusanagi Aso Volcano Museum. The hamburger steak was delicious! You'll have three hours here, which is plenty of time. Finally, you return to Aso Station and can leisurely shop at the souvenir shops nearby. I stop at Aso Station for about 30 minutes in the morning to see what I want to buy, and then come back in the afternoon to buy it. The pudding is delicious! The coffee jelly is very coffee-flavored.