Mount Aso

Our Aso Volcano tour was successfully completed thanks to the meticulous and flexible adjustments made by our tour leader, Wang Baoyin. We were able to reach the active crater and see it without any problems! 👍👍👍 The open-air hot spring at Kurokawa Onsen was amazing! Highly recommended!

The guide spoke Chinese, but I asked in advance if English would be acceptable, and he replied that it would be fine. It was difficult to find the tour at the Chikushi Exit of Hakata Station in the morning, as there were many tour buses parked there. There were many tours from the same travel agency, and a guide on another tour told me that it was the young man's place. I was relieved when our guide, Alex, checked the list. The tour participants spoke about half English and half Chinese. The guide's English was very easy to understand, and he patiently answered my questions. I was deeply moved by the majesty of Aso's Kusasenri. We took a shuttle bus to the Aso Crater. It was a valuable experience, seeing the inside of a volcano for the first time in my life. The distance from Hakata to Aso and then to Takachiho Gorge was quite long, but we arrived at our destination earlier than expected, and I'm grateful for the driver's skill. At Takachiho Gorge, we rented a boat to get close to the waterfalls. The air was crisp and cold, and it was truly mystical and beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed Takachiho Gorge, known as the path of the gods. I'm originally from Kyushu, but I'd never been to the Aso crater, Kusasenri, or Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki. I chose this tour to show my daughter the highlights of Kyushu for her birthday. I was a little worried about the tour being full of foreigners, but our guide, Alex, was very kind and guided us carefully, so we had a great day. My daughter was also very happy. On the bus ride back, Alex told everyone that in addition to Aso and Takachiho, which we'd visited that day, he also recommended Beppu Onsen, a Kyushu hot spring. As a Beppu native, I was very happy. Thank you very much.

Our first stop was Iromi-Kumano Shrine. The entire forest was filled with a tranquil and sacred atmosphere, as if we had stepped into the world of ancient Japanese mythology. Next, we headed to Kusasenri. Thick fog blanketed the area, and the tour leader was worried that we wouldn't be able to see the beautiful scenery or visit the crater. He kept in touch with the crater to see if it was open. Upon arriving at Kusasenri, we were met with an endless expanse of "fog-covered landscape," and the whole group was somewhat disappointed. But slowly, the fog dissipated, and the tour guide received a call informing everyone that the crater was open. The whole group was overjoyed. Taking the shuttle bus, we finally saw the crater emitting white smoke – it was truly a worthwhile trip. In the afternoon, we visited Kurokawa Onsen. The streets were full of traditional Japanese charm, with small bridges, streams, and wooden inns creating a nostalgic warmth. The tour leader also recommended we soak in the hot springs and eat onsen eggs. Overall, the itinerary was well-planned but not rushed, with smooth transportation and guided tours. It was a perfect one-day trip combining nature, culture, and the healing power of hot springs. If I ever visit Kumamoto again, I would definitely like to stay in Aso for a few more days to fully experience its magnificent yet tranquil charm.

We chose the buffet for meals, which was a great experience. The Animal Kingdom is too small. Although you can interact with the animals, it is a bit boring for adults. The park is actually very large, and there are other facilities that can be played, which should be more interesting than the Animal Kingdom.