Kumamoto City

My first day trip was more convenient than I expected. The tour guide was also quite professional and enthusiastic. Highly recommended!

This family trip was perfect for us, as we didn't have a car and transportation was inconvenient. We were able to explore the beautiful Takachiho Gorge and the area around Mt. Aso. Although we couldn't go up to the Mt. Aso crater due to a search and rescue mission, we still saw the snow-covered grasslands. The tour guide was professional and attentive in explaining the sights along the way, and his friendly attitude made it a highly recommended trip.

Kumamoto Castle is beautiful. Besides admiring the exterior, there are exhibits on every floor from B1 to the 5th floor inside. The staircases are spaced out for one person at a time, and the handrails are designed to be quite safe.

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.

With the impression of the threat of nature still fresh in our minds after visiting the damaged houses on Mount Unzen and the Gamasu Dome, we boarded the ferry. It took about 40 minutes from Shimabara Port to Kumamoto Port. The view from the sea further deepened our understanding of the greatness of the Earth.

Our tour guide, Sun Peng, was very responsible and humorous, providing detailed introductions to each attraction. Since it was a holiday, the journey from Kumamoto was smooth. The guide said we'd have two hours to visit the site and see firsthand the magnificent cliff formations and waterfalls of Takachiho Gorge – it was truly breathtaking! None of us in the family wanted to go boating 😂 So we chose to hike to Takachiho Shrine for our prayers. The mountain scenery along the way was so beautiful that it made us forget the fatigue of the climb. Takachiho Shrine boasts a history of over 1900 years and is home to many towering trees, most notably the sacred Father Cedar and the Couple Trees. At Takachiho Shrine, you can fully immerse yourself in the Japanese atmosphere, absorb phytoncides, draw fortune slips, and pray for good luck. We bought a bunch of amulets to bless ourselves and give to friends. On the way back, we crossed a bridge and saw beautiful scenery. We were so glad we had hiked up. Ueshikimi Kumanozha Shrine was a place I was really looking forward to. It truly was a serene and beautiful place, the setting for the popular anime *Natsume's Book of Friends* and *Hotarubi no Mori e*. With its hundreds of stone lanterns, moss-covered paths, and rock formations, it creates a fantastical atmosphere like another world. The sunlight occasionally filtered through the cedar forest, making it truly dreamy and beautiful. There were also some unmelted snowflakes along the path, adding to its beauty. It was a place I found very beautiful and loved. Due to the helicopter accident at Mount Aso, Mount Aso is still closed. We went to the closest point we could see to view the volcano. 🌋 Smoke was constantly rising from the mountaintop, and there were even cute little snowmen built here. The temperature was quite low and windy, so it got rather chilly after a while. Next stop was Kusasenri, another place to view Mount Aso. I imagined there would be cows and horses on the grasslands, but there wasn't a single one! 😅 The tour guide said they were on winter break. 🤣 Climbing to the top of the mountain allows for a closer view of Mount Aso 🌋, but again, it was very windy and cold at the summit. I took a quick photo and left. The Aso milk I bought there was delicious (I forgot to take a picture 😅). On the way back, the tour guide asked the driver to take us to see the TSMC campus. I was still half asleep, so I didn't take any pictures 😆

Mr. You, the driver, was very kind, enthusiastic, and patient. He drove steadily and smoothly, and the family was very satisfied with the chartered car trip.

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.