Kumamoto City

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.

With a clear bus stop, a comfortable mountain hot spring town, public baths and foot baths, and beautiful views of the Aso mountain area along the way, plus tofu set meals, this is a highly recommended, relaxing and enjoyable experience.

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.

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 train schedule was well-connected, and I was lucky enough to see the snow. The lunch location had a fantastic view.

It was a fun experience to travel by boat for 30 minutes, feed the seagulls, and enjoy the scenery.

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!