Kyushu Kumamoto Day Tour｜Kumamoto Castle・Kusasenri・Aso Nakadake Crater・Aso Boys Sightseeing Train｜Including transportation to the crater (from Fukuoka and Kumamoto)
- Explore the secrets of Kumamoto Castle in Kyushu, an in-depth tour from history and culture to nature
- Embark on a journey through the Grasslands to experience the magnificence and freedom of the endless grasslands
- Explore the pulse of the earth and unlock the fiery secrets of nature
- Hop on the dream train specially designed for children, and you will be surrounded by 101 cute black stationmasters "KURO" in an instant! It's like stepping into a cartoon world.
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Minimum participant requirement | 1 traveler |
| Tour types | Guided tour |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
— Aso Boys Sightseeing Train Course Package —
08:00 Lawson Hotel Fukuoka Oriental (in front of Hakata Station Chikushi Exit)
10:00 Kumamoto Castle (about 90-110 minutes, free time, ticket fee 800 yen, self-pay)
10:00~11:30 Sakura-no-Babajo Saien Bus Parking Lot (Kumamoto Castle)
13:10 Mount Aso & Kusasenri (about 90-120 minutes, free time, including time for lunch, lunch is at your own expense)
If the crater is under control, the itinerary will be adjusted according to the on-site conditions.
Recommended when visiting Kusasenri: 1. Aso Volcano Museum (ticket 1100 yen, at your own expense), 2. Kusasenri horseback riding experience (at your own expense)
3. Mount Aso helicopter tour flight - feel the breath of the earth (at your own expense)
15:30 Get off at Aso Road Station (without a tour guide)
15:56 Return to Kumamoto Station by Aso Boy (without tour guide)
17:08 Arrived at Kumamoto Station and the trip ended
＊The Kyushu Cross-Island Express will take over the Aso Boy train on holidays. Website for checking holidays: https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/chinese/train/asoboy.html
—One-day tour of Kumamoto Castle, Aso Volcano, Kusasenri (excluding Aso Boy Train)—
08:00 Lawson Hotel Fukuoka Oriental (in front of Hakata Station Chikushi Exit)
10:00 Kumamoto Castle (about 90-110 minutes, free time, ticket fee 800 yen, self-pay)
13:10 Mount Aso & Kusasenri (about 90-120 minutes, free time, including time for lunch, lunch is at your own expense)
If the crater is under control, the itinerary will be adjusted according to the on-site conditions.
Recommended when visiting Kusasenri: 1. Aso Volcano Museum (ticket price 1100 yen, at your own expense) 2. Kusasenri horseback riding experience (at your own expense) 3. Mount Aso helicopter tour flight - feel the breath of the earth (at your own expense)
15:30 Aso Road Station (about 15 minutes, free time)
15:45 The day's trip ended happily and we started to return
18:00 Arrive at Lawson Fukuoka Oriental Hotel (in front of Hakata Station Chikushi Exit)
—Attractions Notes—
1. If the crater is under control, the itinerary will be adjusted according to the on-site conditions
2. Kusasenri Horseback Riding Experience: A trip is about 5 minutes and costs 1,500 yen, B trip is about 20 minutes and costs 4,000 yen, and C trip is about 25 minutes and costs 5,000 yen.
Activity name Single horseback riding Double horseback riding (the following prices are for reference only, please refer to the on-site price for details) Plan A is about 5 minutes ￥1,500～ ￥2,500～ Plan B is about 20 minutes ￥4,000～ ￥6,000～ Plan C is about 25 minutes ￥5,000～ ￥8,000～ ※Double horseback riding in each plan is limited to children in the lower grades of elementary school. Business hours: 9:00-16:00 Business period: There is no scheduled closing day during the business period from early March to early December. It is closed on rainy days
3. Mount Aso Helicopter Tour Flight
1. The customer acts independently. If any accident occurs, it has nothing to do with our company.
2. If you are not accompanied by a tour guide, you need to queue up for the flight by yourself. You may need to share a seat with other guests.
3. Depending on the situation on site, the bus may take you to the boarding area, and you will need to go to the bus parking lot to meet up with the team
The tour takes about 3-7 minutes (the following prices are for reference only, please refer to the on-site prices for details)
Ticket prices: A Nakadake Crater Course: Adults 6,000 yen; Children 5,000 yen, B Nakadake Crater and Kusasenri Course: Adults 12,000 yen; Children 11,000 yen.
—Important Notes—
- Each person can bring one piece of luggage for free, and the excess will be charged 2,000 yen per piece, regardless of size (please inform us in advance when registering, otherwise we will be charged on site).
- Infants aged 0-2 years old can travel for free if they are in their arms and do not occupy a seat; children aged 3 years old and above travel with adults. If infants aged 0-2 years old need a seat, please purchase it at the child and adult price.
- If there is insufficient space on the bus due to the failure to inform the passenger that there will be a child aged 0-2 years old who does not occupy a seat, the passenger will be refused boarding and the fee will not be refunded.
- The tour guide will not contact the passengers in advance. On the day of the tour, passengers must go to the meeting point on their own and report to the tour guide or staff wearing a "yellow vest or holding a GOGODAY flag". Please understand and cooperate with each other and follow the tour guide's arrangements.
- Driver-guide service (for small groups of 4-13 people: driver-guide service; for groups of more than 13 people: driver + guide service).
- Reference vehicle types: 5-8 seater: Toyota Alphard; 9-14 seater: Toyota HAICE or equivalent; 18-22 seater: mini bus; 22 seater and above: large bus. The above vehicles are for reference only, and the actual vehicle type will be adjusted according to the number of people in the group on the day.
Josaien: A comprehensive facility that houses 23 specialty shops in Kumamoto. Here you can taste Kumamoto's unique delicacies, buy Kumamoto specialties and Josaien limited souvenirs.
Kumamoto Ooyoza Theater: A theater with a rich history and culture (paid facility, please pay for it yourself), a tourist facility that introduces the 300-year history and culture of Higo (now Kumamoto Prefecture). Experience the history of Kumamoto with the help of virtual technology in the "Kumamoto Past and Present Story".
Aso Nakadake Crater: A wild work of nature, standing on the edge of this huge crater, you will be shocked by the endless spectacular scenery, as if you can hear the sound of the earth's heartbeat.
Kusasenri: Strolling through the lush and dreamy grasslands of Kumamoto is like a huge green carpet spread out by nature.
In autumn, the grassland is golden, and you can also experience the thrill of horseback riding. Ride a horse and run freely on the grassland, feeling the speed of the wind and the vastness of the grassland.
Aso Volcano Museum: This is not only a treasure trove of knowledge, but also a window to explore the mysteries of the earth, leading you on a fantastic journey into the world of volcanoes.
Aso Road Station is a warm harbor for time travelers. Here, the ancient and the modern are interwoven into a moving picture, every brick and tile tells a story of the past, and every breeze carries the freshness and passion of Mount Aso.
When you board the ASO BOY! sightseeing train, you will be transported to a world full of fantasy and childlike fun. It will take you to explore the hidden secrets of childhood in Kumamoto, Kyushu.
Food and Beverage Service: In addition to the limited-edition Kuro bento (bento requires advance reservation), there is also a Kuro Cafe next to the children's play area. The most recommended item is the limited-edition pudding on the train.
Free commemorative ride cards are also distributed on the bus, with Xiao Hei's exclusive stamp on the cards to leave a beautiful memory of the ride. In addition, many Xiao Hei peripherals are sold in the car.
Purchase Notice
【Travel conditions】
Travel origin and destination: Fukuoka and Kumamoto
Travel days: Round trip
Transportation: Bus
Bus company name: Reisei Tourism Industry Co., Ltd.
Meals: Breakfast 0 times Lunch 0 times Dinner 0 times
Accommodation facilities: None
Minimum number of people in a group: 1
Team Leader: 1
【Travel planning/implementation】
Operating company name: TuYi Group Japan Co., Ltd.
Address: 722 Shuzenji, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
License Number: Shizuoka Prefectural Governor Registered Travel Agency, No. 2-633
Travel Agency Association: Regular Member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Reminders
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 1 day(s) before departure (local time 18:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity: High blood pressure, Heart disease, Acrophobia, Epilepsy, Asthma, Pregnant women
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
This is a fixed carpooling itinerary. Please be sure to abide by the stay time at each attraction and follow the arrangements of the driver and guide.
Please note that no refund will be given if you fail to participate or cancel the trip due to personal issues, lateness, etc.
If you leave the group on your own during the trip, the transaction will be deemed invalid and no fees will be refunded. If personal or property safety is affected as a result, the consequences will be borne by you.
The arrival time of each itinerary may change due to traffic conditions, weather, festivals, and crowds on the day. Please forgive us if the itinerary is delayed or cancelled due to the above or other force majeure factors. We cannot request a refund on this basis.
In case of a small number of people, the driver and tour leader will be used for operation. Please be aware that this product is a carpooling service, and there will be other guests riding together. Parking is not allowed outside the scenic spots.
Traffic jams and other force majeure factors may occur during weekends and national holidays. The driver will also adjust the itinerary based on the specific situation. Please be sure to prepare your psychological expectations before placing an order.
For guests who are taking the Aso Boy Sightseeing Train back to Kumamoto Station, if we are unable to help you reserve a ticket for the sightseeing train, we will inform you at the latest the next day after you place the order, and you can cancel the order free of charge.
On holidays, the Aso Boy Train will be operated by the Kyushu Cross-Island Express.
Whether you can enter the crater depends on the official real-time information. If you cannot enter, you will stay in Kusasenri for 90 minutes.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 7 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 4 to 6 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 10% will apply
- For cancellations made 2 to 3 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 50% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–1 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
Kumamoto Castle is renowned for its unique 'musha-gaeshi' curved stone walls, designed to repel attackers, and its two main keeps, Uto Yagura and the main tenshu. Visitors can explore the castle grounds, appreciate the intricate architecture, and walk along reconstructed paths. The Honmaru Goten Palace, rebuilt after the 2016 earthquake, offers a glimpse into feudal lord residences with its opulent interiors and traditional sliding doors.
Post-restoration, Kumamoto Castle offers a profound experience of resilience and history. Visitors can witness ongoing recovery work while enjoying improved accessibility to certain areas. The castle provides educational exhibits detailing its history and the restoration process, allowing for a deeper appreciation of Japanese heritage and engineering. Strolling through the grounds offers a chance to feel centuries of accumulated history.
Kumamoto Castle suffered significant damage during the 2016 earthquakes, including collapsed walls and roof tiles. Extensive restoration efforts have been underway since. While some areas are still under reconstruction, major sections like the main keep have been meticulously repaired and are now open to the public. Visitors can observe the progress of the long-term restoration project, which demonstrates remarkable dedication to preserving this national treasure.
Reaching Kusasenri Plateau is most conveniently done via organized tours, often departing from cities like Fukuoka or Kumamoto, as these include dedicated transportation. Such tours provide comfortable bus transport directly to the plateau, offering scenic views of the volcanic landscape without the complexities of public transfers. This allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the vast grasslands and surrounding Aso area efficiently.
Mount Aso's Nakadake Crater is an active volcano, and its activity levels can fluctuate. Authorities monitor it closely, and visitor access is subject to volcanic gas levels and seismic activity. Typically, safety precautions include restricted access to certain areas, designated viewing platforms, and clear signage regarding evacuation procedures. Visitors should always adhere to local guidance and any warnings issued on-site for their safety.
The most convenient way to access the viewing areas around Aso Nakadake Crater is by organized tour, which includes transportation directly to the designated visitor zones. Public access routes, such as the Aso Panorama Line, lead to parking areas near the crater, from where shuttle buses or cable cars typically transport visitors closer to the rim, depending on current volcanic activity and safety restrictions. Guided tours ensure a smooth and informed visit.
Mount Aso experiences distinct seasons. Summers are generally warm and green, ideal for outdoor activities, while autumn brings cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage. Winters can be cold, with snow common, especially at higher elevations, which might impact road access or visibility to the crater. Spring sees thawing snow and new growth. Visitors should check local weather forecasts and volcanic activity reports before visiting, as conditions can change rapidly.
Kumamoto Castle is noteworthy culturally for its architectural innovations, such as the unique 'hidden rooms' and defensive design, which reflect advanced samurai strategies. It serves as a symbol of Kumamoto's resilience and identity, deeply intertwined with local legends and festivals. Its meticulous restoration process, involving traditional craftsmanship, further highlights its value as a living heritage site that connects past military prowess with modern preservation efforts.
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