Kumamoto Prefecture

The day before this trip, we participated in KKDAY's Yufuin tour. Today's tour is with the same company, GOGODAY. Because of the excellent introduction by tour guide Zhuo Yanzhi yesterday, we were very satisfied with the whole day's experience. The recommended stores were also very delicious, and the introduction to the attractions was very attentive. The experience was great, so we joined today's Kumamoto Aso Mountain tour based on her recommendation. Tour guide Li Xiangrong was very enthusiastic and attentive, and the stories about some of the attractions were also very interesting. Finally, when we had to get off the bus early and were considering buying train tickets, she also introduced the Aso Boy train to take us back to Kumamoto. The tour guides from this company are truly recommended. They are not stingy in answering any travel-related questions, which is really great and added a lot of interesting color to my trip to Japan.

2015/12/14 Participated in a day tour. The tour guide, Daisy, switched between Chinese, English, and Japanese very smoothly and was very cool. She explained each tourist spot clearly and even brought her own 3D map of Mount Aso to explain, which was clearer than just an oral explanation. After the tour bus arrives at the Mount Aso crater, you need to transfer to a shuttle bus, which is a 5-minute ride and costs 1400 yen per person, which needs to be paid separately. Unfortunately, there was heavy fog at Aso today, and the volcano was completely invisible, which was a bit of a pity. The tour schedule time is just right if you don't eat a full meal; it's a whirlwind tour. If you want to eat a full meal or go boating, the time will be very tight. The ice cream at Takachiho Gorge and Kusasenri is delicious, you can buy it! This itinerary is considered a must-visit spot in Kyushu, recommended!

We had a very enjoyable day with guide Xiao Wang! We departed from Hakata in the morning, and originally headed towards Mount Aso. However, we found that the wind direction was bad and it was closed. So, we changed the itinerary and went to Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine first. However, thanks to the careful arrangements of guide Xiao Wang, we checked the official website and suddenly announced it was open, so the first stop was the volcano. So, don't be discouraged if you hear you can't go, just be patient and wait. After the morning, guide Xiao Wang will also help everyone take pictures, which is great. He also gave everyone coupons for buying horse oil and introduced places to eat. In the afternoon, we went to the shrine, and he told everyone where the good photo spots were. At Kurokawa Onsen, he also arranged a good shop for everyone to soak in the bath and foot bath, and also gave hot spring eggs. Overall, the itinerary time was a bit tight but the journey was far, which is understandable. However, the bus was too small. The space for two people was equivalent to one and a half seats normally, which was uncomfortable. Other location arrangements were very suitable, and guide Xiao Wang was very good!

Although the guide was Chinese and accompanied by many Chinese tourists, the guide used Papago to provide explanations at the end of each section. Despite the inclement weather with rain, they offered to take photos with the group and showed great care in looking after everyone under their responsibility. I booked this tour because it had good reviews, as there were no Korean-speaking guides available, and I am satisfied. If there are no suitable Korean-speaking guided tours available during your Mount Aso tour, this seems like a viable option.

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!

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!

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==

Absolutely loved this tour. Takachiho Gorge was breathtaking and felt truly magical in person. The trip was well-organized and smooth, and our tour guide, Riku, was excellent—knowledgeable, friendly, and made the experience even better. Highly recommended!

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!