Aso Nakadake Volcano & Takachiho Gorge Full-Day Tour
- Takachiho Forest Train: An open-air train that passes through Takabashi, offering seasonal scenery of mountains and a sea of clouds.
- Takachiho Gorge: Famous for its cliffs and the Manai Falls. Walking trails guide you to explore the stunning scenery of unusual rocks and ancient arched bridges, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
- Kusasenri Plateau at Mount Aso: Stroll through the vast grasslands, observe freely roaming cattle and horses, and enjoy nature.
- Kusasenri Horseback Riding Experience: Ride a horse on the lush green grasslands, experiencing the tranquility and beauty of nature.
- Aso Volcano Museum: Learn about the geology and history of Mount Aso, and admire the spectacular views of the crater.
What to expect
From Kumamoto, embark on a journey of natural exploration to Takachiho and Aso, experiencing Kyushu's most representative landscapes and cultural heritage.
- The first stop of the itinerary is Takachiho, where you’ll ride a forest train along the old railway through the mountains. The open-top carriage passes over Japan’s highest railway bridge, Takachiho Bridge, offering views of streams and terraced fields, as if you’re in the clouds. If maintenance occurs: On the third Thursday of every month, due to inspection, the train will not operate: June 18th / July 16th / August 20th / September 17th / October 15th / November 19th / December 17th, or due to weather conditions, the itinerary will be changed to visiting the historic Takachiho Shrine. Ancient trees tower within the shrine grounds, and the Meoto Sugi (Husband and Wife Cedars) are famous for their legend of matchmaking, making it an excellent place to experience the atmosphere of myths and faith.
- Afterwards, head to Takachiho Gorge, a cliff valley formed by the eruption of Mount Aso, renowned as one of Japan's most beautiful gorges. Visitors can stroll along the walking paths, admire Manai Falls, one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls, and explore landmarks such as Oni-hachi no Chikaraishi (Ogre Hachi's Power Stone) and the Sandan Bridge. The gorge offers different scenery in each of the four seasons, with autumn foliage being particularly spectacular.
- In the afternoon, drive to Mount Aso. The Nakadake Crater is a rare active volcano landscape in the world, with smoke billowing, which is awe-inspiring. Due to a helicopter accident, this attraction is temporarily closed, and we will extend the time at Kusasenri. Afterwards, arrive at Kusasenri, a vast highland grassland that is picturesque in all four seasons, with cattle and horses grazing leisurely, and a blend of lake and mountain scenery, like a fairyland. Visitors can choose to experience horseback riding at their own expense, enjoying the thrill of galloping across the grassland, or enter the Aso Volcano Museum to gain a deeper understanding of the volcanic terrain and ecology through three-dimensional models and videos.
* This one-day tour combines natural wonders with cultural experiences, allowing you to fully appreciate Kyushu's magnificent mountains, rivers, and mythical legends in a single day. The vibrant waters of Takachiho Gorge, the majestic power of Mount Aso, and the vast tranquility of Kusasenri will all leave unforgettable memories of your journey.
















Reviews
view is panoramic 😍 take the mini train, it’s kinda fun. on your way back remember to pay attention to a small volcano, it looks like a pudding 🍮 ning ning has been such a sweet and passionate tour guide. we really love her ❤️ she’s the one who made the journey great.
Our guide, Mr. Jiang, was fantastic! He was so enthusiastic, helping everyone take photos, introducing attractions, and even rushing to buy tickets for the scenic train. The weather was also perfect. Going on a day trip was incredibly comfortable; we rested on the bus and took photos at each stop. Departing from Kumamoto was quick, and we had more time at each attraction compared to starting from Fukuoka. If we had gone by ourselves, the transportation costs probably would have exceeded the day tour fee! Since we booked only two days before departure, we missed out on the boat ride. Next time, we'll be sure to book the boat tour in advance!!
In the cold weather, we were lucky to ride the Miyazaki small train, see the beauty of Takachiho Gorge with our own eyes, and successfully see the crater of Mount Aso. Before the end, light snow fell on Mount Aso to send us off. A special thanks to our professional, enthusiastic, and energetic guide, Mr. Sugiyama, for taking care of us, providing guidance, and recommending delicious food along the way. He gave our whole family a tight-scheduled but fulfilling and wonderful day trip.
This was my first time participating in a day trip, and it was a great experience. We were very lucky to see the smoke and green parts at the bottom of Mount Aso, and there was still some snow on the mountain. In addition, the scenery of the Chiho Gorge was very pleasant, the round trip was not too tiring, and the experience of riding the small train was also great. The conductor even sang a song, which created a great atmosphere.
We had such a wonderful experience with Jade ( Chinese lady do this mandarin tour) as our tour guide! As a mum traveling with two young kids, I really appreciated how well she looked after us. She made sure we were safe at all times, walking with us and keeping a close eye on everything. Jade kept us entertained throughout and brought us to many beautiful places we wouldn’t have discovered on our own. The trip was very well organised, smooth, and stress-free. Highly recommended , we truly enjoyed every place we visited! 😊
A very fulfilling trip. The weather was excellent, so we walked through Takachiho Gorge and rode the Takachiho Railway. We were very lucky to see the vast expanse of Kusasenri Plateau, and we also got to see Mount Aso smoothly. 🥰
Director Ge was very responsible. The little train waved to everyone enthusiastically at the station. He provided detailed introductions to the attractions, helped take photos, and recommended many delicious and fun things to do in Kyushu. Highly recommended to join the tour.
If you come to Kumamoto, you must visit Mount Aso. Since we can't rent a car in Japan with a domestic driver's license, a one-day tour is the only option. Luckily, our guide from yesterday was working today, so we joined the group again. It's really hard to get a taxi in Kumamoto early in the morning. We left more than 40 minutes early and still couldn't find one, and the streetcar is too complicated and time-consuming. Fortunately, our guide, Li Xiaodong, helped us by arranging for the bus to pass near our hotel, which was really convenient. Xiaodong was as enthusiastic as ever. Although we spent a lot of time on the road traveling during the day trip, it was unavoidable. We were very lucky that the weather and wind direction were especially favorable for visiting Mount Aso, and we got to see the amazing volcanic lava as we wished. On the way back, Xiaodong had the bus drop us off near our hotel, saving us time and money on transportation, which was really thoughtful. In short, highly recommended! We will definitely look for Xiaodong again next time.
Even though it snowed, it didn't affect the trip. The scenery was beautiful, the tour guide was great, the recommended food was delicious, and the whole trip was a lot of fun!
Director Ge explained everything very carefully and was super nice and took great care of us! Plus, the weather was great that day, and we were lucky enough to see the volcano! A perfect experience for solo travelers.
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