Mount Aso and Kurokawa Onsen One-Day Tour in Kumamoto Prefecture
✨ Selected Kumamoto’s most popular routes, saving you the trouble of planning your own itinerary ✨ Chinese-speaking guide support, communication without barriers ✨ Round-trip bus + comfortable pace, no rushing through sights ✨ When the weather is good, it’s comparable to a photography blockbuster; every stop is a cinematic scene ✨ Each traveler can carry 1 piece of luggage for free (please note when placing your order)
What to expect
Imagine yourself strolling through a tranquil cedar forest in light clothing, sunlight dappling through the treetops, as if stepping into a scene from “Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light.” Then, stand by the edge of an active volcano crater, listening to the Earth’s breath, and witnessing the magical colors of the crater lake with your own eyes. In the afternoon, relax in a forest hot spring, gazing at the mist-shrouded valley, and feeling time slow down. This is the charm of a one-day trip to Mount Aso. Let’s take a look at the detailed itinerary~ Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine The prototype location for “Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light,” a real-life “2D secret realm” is right here! Walk up 260 moss-covered stone steps, and the sunlight streams through the cedar forest, casting golden rays ✨. Photos taken in the morning have a 100% success rate. Warm tip: Light-colored long dress + mosquito repellent spray = best gear!
Mount Aso & Kusasenri-ga-hama Mount Aso is one of the world’s largest active volcanoes! Stand on the edge of the crater, watch the sulfur smoke curling up, and occasionally see the blue-green crater lake~ It’s incredibly stunning! Next, we arrive at Kusasenri, where vast green fields undulate like waves. We recommend experiencing horseback riding on the grassland or aerial photography with a drone; the scenery truly resembles an animated scene. In the evening, we arrive at this hot spring town nestled in the valley. ⚠️If the Mount Aso crater is closed, the itinerary will be changed to Roadside Station Aso Boukyou Kugino.
Kurokawa Onsen Kurokawa Onsen is a very famous hot spring area in Kumamoto, preserving the traditional Japanese wooden house style, scattered among green mountains and clear waters. There are more than 20 hot spring ryokans with various styles in the town. Strolling along the stream, the air is filled with the warm scent of spring water, providing full healing power. We highly recommend experiencing the “Onsen Hopping Pass” (with just one small pass, you can visit multiple hot springs). Soaking in the hot springs while listening to birdsong and gazing at the starry sky perfectly concludes the day’s itinerary.
“Journey through a 2D forest to touch the Earth’s pulse to soak in a sea of clouds hot spring” This trip fulfills all your fantasies about nature, adventure, and healing. It’s a high-quality one-day trip to Kumamoto that you shouldn’t miss!
Reviews
Although the guide primarily provides information in Chinese, if you can speak a little Japanese or English, there won't be any issues with the itinerary. They even used a translator and made a tremendous effort to communicate. We were very grateful. I tried to close the air conditioning vent on the bus, but one side of the plastic was broken, so it couldn't be fully closed. While this was a minor inconvenience, I don't think it's significant enough to negatively impact the overall rating. It seems that the parking lot at Kusasenri, or whatever that rest stop is called, gets quite congested if you drive there, as there are often no available spaces. I think taking the bus and enjoying a more comfortable journey is a better option.
a really nice itinerary, the guide was really really nice even though I didn't speak mandarin. Unfortunately we had a lot of rain but she arranged the itinerary to be less in the rain which was really nice.
When I first booked, there wasn't a tour specifically for Koreans departing from Kumamoto, so I hesitantly booked a tour exclusively for Chinese visitors. As expected, I was the only Korean, but our guide, Mr. Gong Yan, kindly provided separate English explanations and Korean translations via KakaoTalk, making the trip easy and convenient. Although we couldn't go to the crater of Mount Aso due to an accident, the nearby Kusasenri was still wonderfully beautiful and awe-inspiring. I hope your business continues to thrive, and I look forward to meeting you again someday!
Excellent guide by Miss Kong ! she is very knowledgeable, friendly and funny ! very clear on all instructions and to me the highlight of our kyushu trip. The reason i chose this trip was due to the difficult public transportation but this tour make it possible for it to be done in one day ! the driving was enjoyable , toilet breaks mentioned by Ms Kong all the time, she also gave heads up if the weather in Mt Aso is good or not. If not good the trip to Mt Aso crater might be cancelled but thankfully the weather was good, and its not anybodys fault if the weather is bad ! Ms Kong speak mainly chinese and due to my limited language she does her best to speak English at times , and we really appreciate her effort. I would definetly recommend this tour to everybody that wants a full Mt Aso tour that leaves from Kumamoto ! FYI i bring a 5 year old and she did enjoy it very much also !
This day trip was a very pleasant experience, with the biggest highlight being our tour guide, Ms. Kong. She was professional and humorous, providing in-depth yet accessible explanations of the historical and unique aspects of the attractions. Having lived in Japan for a long time, she was also able to share many Japanese lifestyle habits and cultural details, making the trip not just sightseeing, but a lively cultural lesson. She was also very thoughtful, often paying attention to the condition of the group members, making us feel well taken care of and secure. The overall itinerary was well-planned, and the timing was just right. However, if you don't plan to soak in Kurokawa Onsen, the activity options during the stopover may be slightly insufficient. Personally, I would prefer to extend the stay in Kusasenri to admire the magnificent natural scenery. Overall, this is a highly recommended day trip that combines professional guidance with comfortable arrangements, leaving behind wonderful memories!
Our tour guide, Ms. Kong, is incredibly thorough and detail-oriented. She shared a wealth of historical background and must-know information with us throughout the day. Even though Mount Aso was closed, she went above and beyond by arranging a special stop at a private ranch for a beautiful photo opportunity. Thanks to her guidance, we didn’t just understand the itinerary — we also gained insight into the deeper meaning behind the places we visited. Alongside the best bus driver, this was truly the most professional and thoughtful team I could ask for on an overseas one-day tour!
Starting from Kumamoto, the itinerary is rich, and the tour guide Ms. Kong Yan is very professional and polite. Successfully visited the Kamishiki Kumanoza Shrine and Aso Volcano, which I wanted to visit the most. Although the weather was not very good that day, the atmosphere at the shrine was really full, and I was lucky to be able to go to the crater🥹Then as for Kusasenri, it would be more beautiful to visit when the weather is good. It's a pity that I can't experience grassland horseback riding. The restaurant on that day was the cafeteria opposite Kusasenri, and the king beef melted in the mouth, very delicious! You can also buy some souvenirs downstairs. In short, the itinerary is satisfactory, and it is recommended for those who can't travel by car, because most of the places you go are very remote, and it will be very inconvenient without a car😮💨It's worth the fare without having to check the time of public transportation yourself👍🏻
It was through our tour guide that we learned how ancient and historic Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine is, which added a mysterious aura to the place. For tourists, it became more than just a scenic spot. Aso Kusasenri was breathtaking, and the Akagyu beef was a feast for the palate. Along the way, our guide pointed out that the cattle by the roadside were Aso Akagyu, noting their distinctively smaller size. If you don't have a car, joining a day tour is an easy and excellent option to visit Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine, Kusasenri, and Kurokawa Onsen. With a guide's explanations, you can learn more about the local culture and avoid missing out on beautiful sights during your trip.
Our guide Li Hong has been very friendly. Unfortunately Mt Azo crater was not allowed for the day. The local geological dept updates daily the accessibility. Kurokawa Onsen locality is a beauty.
Guide Kong is very attentive and constantly takes care of the group members. He also introduces many local features in Chinese along the way. As a first-time solo traveler who wanted to go to the mountains but wasn't very good at using transportation, this was a great arrangement! If I had to point out a drawback, it would be that the bus seats are a bit narrow, so it might be a bit tough for people with larger builds. Also, don't bring too much luggage. But if you're going to Kurokawa Onsen overnight, you can get off directly at Kurokawa and then make your own way back later.
Good to know
- If the ground freezes in winter and the bus cannot enter Kurokawa Onsen, Kurokawa Onsen will be replaced with Shirakawa Spring Water. Please do not book dinner, as you will not be able to catch a flight or Shinkansen on the same day. Guests staying at Kurokawa Onsen must inform us in advance.
- Pre-trip notification • Please ensure that the communication app you provided can contact you during your trip to Japan. We will contact you one day in advance. We will send the vehicle information and guide information for the next day’s trip to your email before 8 PM on the day before your trip. Please check your email (it may be in the spam folder). To ensure a smooth trip, please contact your guide or driver in time. Thank you. • If the number of participants does not reach the minimum required for a group, you will be notified of cancellation by email one day before departure. In case of extreme weather such as typhoons or blizzards, cancellation will be confirmed by 6:00 PM local time one day before departure and notified by email. Seats and Vehicles • The itinerary is a shared group tour, and seat allocation follows the first-come, first-served principle. If you have special requests, please make a note, and we will do our best to arrange it, but the final decision will be made on-site. • The vehicle model used will be arranged according to the number of people and cannot be specified. For a small number of people, a driver who also serves as an attendant may be arranged, and the explanation content will be relatively brief. • If you need to carry luggage, you must inform us in advance. If you carry it without authorization, the guide has the right to refuse you boarding, and the fee will not be refunded. Eating and drinking are prohibited in the vehicle. If any damage is caused, compensation will be required according to local standards. Itinerary Adjustments and Safety • Japanese law stipulates that commercial vehicles cannot be driven for more than 10 hours a day. If this is exceeded, additional fees will be incurred (ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 JPY per hour). • The itinerary is for reference only. Actual transportation, stopovers, and sightseeing times may be adjusted due to weather, traffic jams, facility maintenance, and other conditions. The guide may reasonably change or reduce attractions based on actual circumstances. • If cable cars, cruise ships, or other facilities are suspended due to weather or force majeure, the itinerary will be changed to visit other attractions or adjust the stopover time. • If you are late, change the meeting point temporarily, or leave the group midway due to personal reasons, the fee will not be refunded. Any accidents or additional expenses incurred after leaving the group must be borne by yourself. Season and Scenery • The visibility of Mount Fuji is greatly affected by weather, especially in summer when visibility is lower. It is recommended to check weather information before booking. • Seasonal activities such as flower viewing, autumn foliage viewing, snow scenery, and fireworks festivals are greatly affected by climate. The flowering period and peak autumn foliage may be earlier or later. Even if the expected scenery is not met, the itinerary will still proceed as normal, and no refunds will be given.
Other Information • Please arrive at the meeting point on time. No waiting will be provided for latecomers, and joining midway is not allowed. • It is recommended to wear light clothing and shoes. For winter or mountain itineraries, please bring your own warm clothing.
* The itinerary does not include personal travel and accident insurance. It is recommended to purchase your own insurance. Outdoor activities and high-risk sports carry certain risks. Travelers are advised to register carefully based on their health conditions.
* After the itinerary departs, if it is forced to be interrupted due to natural disasters or force majeure, the fee will not be refunded, and travelers will also need to bear the cost of return travel or additional accommodation.
* During Japanese public holidays and weekend travel peaks, there are often severe traffic jams or attractions closing early. It is recommended not to book flights, Shinkansen, or dinner for the same evening, and to bring light meals and a power bank.
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