Miyazaki

No need for a tour guide or large group tours, this "semi-independent" itinerary allows the whole family to enjoy a more in-depth experience! As long as you manage taxi connections and key booking times, even families with elderly members and children can easily conquer Takachiho. 【Itinerary Sharing】(Tested on 2/10) • 09:11 | Depart from Kumamoto Station/Sakuramachi Bus Terminal (take a Kyushu Sanko bus). • 12:19 | Arrive at Takachiho Bus Center. • 12:30 | Takachiho Beef Feast: Upon arrival, a pre-booked taxi will take you to the restaurant. Delicious Takachiho beef is definitely the best start to your trip. • 14:00 | Takachiho Gorge Boat Ride (Reservation Required): Avoid the crowds and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the gorge waterfall. • 14:30 - 15:10 | Takachiho Gorge Stroll: Explore the trails and admire the magnificent columnar jointed landforms. • 15:15 | Miraculous Taxi Rescue: Two taxis were flagged down at the canyon site, taking us straight to the Amaterasu Railway (former Takachiho Station). • 15:40 | Amaterasu Railway Miniature Train (Last Train): This train was the MVP of the trip! The 105-meter-high railway bridge and the interactive bubble-blowing activity on the train were a huge hit with the kids. • 16:15 | Stroll Through the City: After the miniature train ride, we leisurely walked back to the bus station (approximately 15 minutes). • 16:57 | Return Bus: We boarded the bus back to Kumamoto on time.

Two weeks before departure, the company created a group chat so we could contact the driver. The day before, we informed them that my mother had difficulty walking, and the company specially upgraded us to a larger vehicle. Throughout the trip, the driver's driving skills were smooth, and he had a great understanding of Japanese geography and customs, providing excellent analysis and sharing. The journey was very smooth, and he managed the travel time perfectly. It's definitely a chartered car service highly recommended!

The tour guide provided explanations in both Chinese and English, tailored to the nationalities of the passengers, ensuring everyone understood. Ordering food was also facilitated through Japanese translation. The itinerary perfectly suited our needs. However, it was a pity that although the guide taught us rowing techniques, I lacked the aptitude and could only gaze at the distant waterfall without actually moving forward (although my eldest daughter managed to move forward successfully after taking over, it took me too much time). The itinerary also involved climbing stairs, especially the steps for rowing, and carrying my young daughter who couldn't walk very well while climbing the stairs, plus the time allotted for the meeting point, made the trip quite tiring. Fortunately, my eldest daughter helped carry me down the stairs. I hope to participate again when she's older and can walk steadily on her own.

The tour guide was great, and the scenery was beautiful. Although we weren't able to go up to the crater due to the recent helicopter accident, the entire Kumamoto region was covered in white snow, making for great photos. The shops were also nice to browse! However, Kumamoto plush toys are a bit pricey here!

The driver drove smoothly and was friendly. He also suggested a suitable itinerary based on our preferences. We were fortunate enough to see snow, and the kids were very happy. Overall, I would highly recommend him.