Kumamoto

Takachiho Gorge is located in a remote area, and the tour we booked this time was quite pleasant. Although the tour was during the holiday traffic peak, our tour guide, Wang Qi, managed the time very well and arrived at Hakata Station on time at 18:00. During the tour, he did not skimp on introducing the scenery and taking good care of our group. The whole trip was very relaxing and comfortable.

The overall experience was quite good. We bought two baby seats for our two one-and-a-half-year-old babies. The driver was also very friendly to children and gave us suggestions on taking less-traveled routes. He also helped us communicate with the restaurant. XD We had four adults and two children, with a total of four large suitcases plus a double stroller, so the 10-seater car was almost fully equipped.

As it was a long holiday, the place was packed early in the morning. We spent a while looking for the meeting point and our guide, Roger. He was a really nice, warm-hearted guy. Since the hike was quite challenging, he kept encouraging everyone and reminded us of little details. Back on the bus, we all said, "Welcome back, you've worked so hard!" We felt right at home. Our first stop was Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine, which was truly beautiful no matter how we photographed it. The misty green gave it a mysterious feel, but because there were so many people, we were bound to miss people in our photos. Our second stop was Amayasu River, a hiking trail focused on seeing a large cave and Amano Iwato Shrine, a true wonder of nature. Our third stop was Takachiho Gorge, a canyon formed by basalt on both sides. The deep green river channel is slightly translucent, making it one of the most famous gorges in the world. It also features the Shinmeiji Falls, with a 17-meter-high column of water cascading down. We could also sign up for a boat cruise, a truly rare experience. Finally, the tour company gave each of us a box of Takachiho souvenirs, which made the trip well worth it.