Things to do in Kumamoto Prefecture

We had an amazing experience on this one-day tour covering Mount Aso, Kusasenri, and Takachiho Gorge. Everything was thoughtfully planned and well-paced, so the day felt relaxed rather than rushed. There was enough time at each stop to explore, enjoy the views, and take photos without pressure. Our guide, Jimmy Liu, really made the difference. He was extremely attentive and proactive, giving important reminders before each activity and sharing useful tips and tricks along the way. He was also very impressive in how smoothly he switched between Chinese and English, making communication clear and effortless for everyone in the group. Each destination was breathtaking on its own, but with Jimmy’s guidance, the trip felt even more special and stress-free. I booked the trip last minute so I wasn’t able to get the boat ride but I’d suggest to get that option if you can cause the waterfalls look breathtaking.

We booked this day trip which covers the three places that we wanted to visit in Kumamoto, namely the Kumamoto Castle, Mount Aso and Kusasenri Grassland. We wouldn’t be able to cover them all in one day if we are to travel by ourselves by public transport. Booking through Klook is easy & convenient. On the day before the tour, I received email from the agency Gogoday Travel informing the meeting place, guide’s name and phone number and bus number, which is very assuring. The meeting place is conveniently located next to Hakata Station. The itineraries are well paced, allowing us sufficient time in each location including lunch. We are lucky to be blessed with good weather and were able to ascend to Nakadake crater at Mount Aso. Our guide, Mr Sun Nan is very professional and friendly. He gave clear explanations in both English and Mandarin. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously on this day trip. Highly recommended!

Experience: If you're planning a visit to Kumamoto, this is a must-see destination. My visit to Kumamoto was specifically to see Kumamoto Castle. After visiting, I felt it was definitely a worthwhile choice. However, it was unfortunate that Kumamoto Castle was partially destroyed by the earthquake in 2016. It was also impressive to see them taking a long-term approach to properly restoring the cultural heritage site. Tip: If you purchase your admission ticket in advance on Klook, you can enter quickly by showing it directly to the staff without having to purchase or exchange tickets, so avoid the long lines and buy your tickets in advance!

Everything was going very well in this trip. We went to Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine and the experience was magical. After that we went to Mount Aso and we were fortunate to be allowed to go near the crator although there was quite a lot of activity in the crator, Right after we took photos we were told to leave immediately. after that we went for lunch and along the way we saw Mt Kusasenri. We had horse sashimi for lunch and we bought Aso milk which was yummy! Lastly we went to Kurokawa onsen town and the town is so quaint and lovely. We were able to have such great magical time because of our guide who gave us tips along the way of what to do etc. we also enjoyed hard boiled eggs from him too

This day trip was absolutely perfect, and a special thank you to our guide, Xiao Sun! 1. Humorous and Funny, Excellent Atmosphere: Our guide, Xiao Sun, was very talkative and humorous. The whole trip was full of laughter, and we didn't feel bored at all during the driving time, which made everyone's travel mood super relaxed. 2. Enthusiastic and Proactive, Photography Master: Xiao Sun is very professional and enthusiastic, always proactively helping us find the best angles for photos. This is so considerate for family trips like ours, and the results are fantastic! 3. In-depth Tour, Full of Gains: Xiao Sun is very knowledgeable about the local culture and historical features. He told us many stories about Japan and the local area, allowing us to not only see the scenery but also gain a deeper understanding of the local customs and culture. This was a warm and intellectual experience. Thank you so much, Guide Xiao Sun! 👍✨

I highly recommended this tour, vakue for money indeed. And our tour guide Melo is very nice and informative, speaks english very well. She took care of everyone. Arigatou! You can check my post on IG of the places we've visited: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQzXDxpAbhV/?igsh=MW1xOXo5dzd3eTRuZw==

This was a wonderful day trip and we enjoyed it immensely. Our guide San San was great—funny, personable, and helpful. Mt. Aso and the gorge were amazing, the open-air train ride was great fun with amazing views, and overall, it was a fantastic day. One word of advice: prepare for all seasons on this trip! The gorge can be quite warm on a sunny day, especially on the hike back up. Likewise, the volcano is windy and freezing cold at the top—take a warm jacket! I would also suggest taking a face mask up there as there is some sulphur gas you will smell. This is not an area you could easily visit on your own; it would be difficult to arrange even with a car. The tour guide took care of everything, showing us where to go while allowing enough time to enjoy each area. We would highly recommend this tour. it’s an awesome place!

This was the coldest day after New Year, and we were stuck in bad traffic because of the snow accumulated on the road to Takachiho gorge. But kudos to our guide Nicole Yang who last minute had to look for toilets for us along the way, helped us to secure queue number for the boat ride. Although we lost a lot of time to the bad traffic, we still managed to have a good time at Takachiho Gorge even though we couldn’t go to the railway and the Amanoyasukawara shrine. Nicole even gave us each a cookie to enjoy on the way back.

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!