Kumamoto City

Our driver, Xiao Li, drove very steadily and was always punctual. We enjoyed the quiet and comfortable ride. The journey to Takachiho Gorge took about three hours, and we spent most of the time sleeping and enjoying the scenery outside the window. Occasionally, we would chat, and he would offer some suggestions on our travel arrangements, which was very considerate of our schedule and needs.

Access to Kumamoto Castle is quick and easy, offering a worthwhile historical experience and a deeper understanding of Japanese history.

Our tour guide, Ge Ning, was fantastic! She was incredibly enthusiastic, providing comprehensive explanations and answering all our questions. She was very caring towards the group members. The driver was also very steady and kind. It was a pity that it rained while we were on the Takachiho Scenic Railway, making the free time a bit short. But overall, the experience was definitely worthwhile.

A two-day trip to Fukuoka is a must-do in Northern Kyushu; the more you go, the more you earn.

A relaxed and carefree day trip itinerary. Meeting point: 7:50 AM Japan time, back exit of Kumamoto Station. There were too many groups that day; hopefully, there will be clearer signage next time. Otherwise, everyone was looking at the tour guide to see if they were on the list, which was chaotic. First stop: Kusasenri, enjoy the scenery and have lunch. There are no other places to eat on the rest of the trip, so we had to eat something here. You can see the Kusasenri Grassland (formerly a volcano), Mount Pudding, Mount Aso (view from a distance), and horseback riding (high price, don't ride). The second stop is Ueshikimi Kumanozha Shrine, a shady spot perfect for taking photos. It has dense trees, restrooms, and 220 steps up and down (440 steps round trip). Alternatively, you can choose to climb the nearby slope. Not recommended for those with sensitive skin. There are restrooms and two small vendors in the parking lot. The third stop is the Takachiho Scenic Railway, the most boring part of the day. After checking in in the morning, you need to pay ¥2300 per person for the round trip. The train ride is about 30 minutes. There is no shade throughout the journey, so be sure to wear sunscreen. Umbrellas are not allowed. The main attraction is the spectacular Takachiho landscape. The train conductor provides a bubble-like atmosphere. Limited-edition drinks are available at the vending machines at the station entrance. The fourth stop is the Takachiho Gorge boat tour. After getting off at the parking lot, it's a 20-minute walk to see the gorge (the terrain is usually downhill or down stairs). The boat is at the bottom, with a minimum of one and a maximum of three people. The rower sits in the middle. There are life jackets provided for the abdomen before boarding. There are vendors selling soy sauce dumplings along the way, which are quite delicious. The return trip takes 30 minutes back to the parking lot (uphill or up stairs). Alternatively, you can choose to take a shuttle bus or taxi down the mountain at your own expense. A taxi ride costs ¥600. This full-day trip requires sufficient physical strength and is not recommended for young children (those unable to walk independently) or the elderly (those unable to walk independently). You can bring your own bread or other food before boarding. Coffee, yogurt, and milk are not allowed on the bus.

It turned out that the staff at the pier who were arranging the boarding queue already had my name from the KKday ticket booking. Since we couldn't communicate verbally, the staff quickly asked if I was from KKday. I said yes, and they took out a card with my name on it. Then I could proceed to window number 2 to complete the procedures; the process was quite quick.