Excursão de um dia a Takachiho, Kyushu | Passeio de barco pelo desfiladeiro de Takachiho・Santuário Kamishikimi Kumanoza/Trem turístico de Takachiho・Monte Aso・Kusasenri (partindo de Kumamoto)

The emerald green streams and magnificent gorges of Takachiho Gorge are breathtakingly beautiful. The best experience here is undoubtedly paddling a boat through the towering basalt cliffs, feeling the spray of the cascading waterfalls up close, creating a leisurely and romantic atmosphere. Besides boating, taking the sightseeing train through the elevated railway is another major highlight. Overlooking the lush green mountains and gorge scenery from the tracks, with a gentle breeze on your face, instantly sweeps away the daily hustle and stress, leaving you feeling incredibly refreshed. Whether you're close to the water at the bottom of the gorge or gazing from a high vantage point, Takachiho Gorge showcases nature's ultimate aesthetic craftsmanship. Its stunning natural beauty and diverse touring experiences make it an unmissable and worthwhile destination on any Kyushu itinerary. Stepping into Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine, ancient trees towering into the sky on both sides of the path instantly calm the surrounding noise, making you feel as if you've entered a mysterious ancient wilderness forest. Moss-covered stone lanterns intertwine with lush trees, creating a serene, sacred, and profound atmosphere, filled with an incredible spiritual energy. With each step ascending the stone stairs, the air is cool, and walking through allows you to breathe in the purest mountain air, truly experiencing nature's gentle yet profound embrace. This is not just a journey of discovery up the steps, but a sensory experience that cleanses both body and mind. For travelers who love nature and a tranquil atmosphere, this sacred realm hidden in the mountains is definitely worth exploring at a leisurely pace. Looking at the vast and boundless nature always instantly refreshes the mind, and Kusasenri possesses this unique healing charm. Before your eyes is an expansive, perfectly flat, verdant grassland. In the distance, the mist-shrouded Mount Aso stands majestically, making you deeply feel the grandeur and power of nature. In addition to the awe-inspiring volcanic landscape, this area also features unique natural grass mounds, where desolation and lushness coexist, creating a unique poetic beauty. Strolling across this highland meadow, breathing the crisp air, the daily hustle and bustle instantly transforms into peace, allowing you to naturally calm your body and mind. Whether you want to clear your head or witness the magnificent wonders of creation with your own eyes, Kusasenri is a beautiful place that will fill you with energy.

On July 26th, we were very fortunate to join the one-day tour led by tour guide Sun Peng. His explanations were very lively and interesting, providing detailed introductions to Kumamoto's culture and history, from which we benefited greatly! He also thoughtfully shared must-buy souvenirs and a food map. The itinerary was well-arranged, making our day very enjoyable! The rare boat experience at Takachiho Gorge was beautiful and well worth experiencing firsthand! The endless Kusasenri, with distant views of Mount Aso, offered breathtaking scenery, and tasting the milk soft-serve ice cream recommended by the guide was truly a great pleasure. The Aso latte was also delicious. The Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine was also very special, as if we had stumbled into a mysterious otherworld. It's a pity that our time there was limited; if we could have stayed a bit longer to soak in the atmosphere, it would have been even better! All in all, I really loved today's one-day tour! 🤗

The Takachiho Gorge boat ride was simply breathtaking. Being able to paddle through the crystal-clear waters surrounded by towering cliffs and the beautiful Manai Falls was an unforgettable experience. The Amaterasu Railway add-on was equally impressive, offering stunning panoramic views and a unique experience crossing the high railway bridge. What made this tour truly special was our guide, Kong Yan. As a solo traveller, I was initially worried about the boat ride, but Kong Yan kindly offered to ride the boat with me. Her thoughtfulness and willingness to go the extra mile made me feel welcomed and included. Throughout the tour, she was friendly, attentive, professional, and always ready to help. Her enthusiasm and care for the guests greatly enhanced the overall experience. The transportation was comfortable, the schedule was well managed, and every part of the tour ran smoothly. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Kyushu.

Today's guided day tour to Takachiho Gorge, Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine, and Aso's Kusasenri was truly a healing journey through nature and legend. Takachiho Gorge in the early morning was enveloped in a light mist. As we boated through the columnar joint cliffs carved by volcanic eruptions, we looked up at a sliver of sky and down at the emerald-blue stream, feeling as if we had stumbled into a secret realm left behind by the gods. In the afternoon, we boarded the pink sightseeing train. The semi-open carriages carried us through forests and tunnels, and the bubbles blown by the conductor refracted rainbows in the sunlight, perfectly blending childlike fun and romance. The subsequent arrival at Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine instantly transported us into the animated world of "Hotarubi no Mori e." Nearly a hundred moss-covered stone lanterns lined both sides of the approach, and towering cedar trees blocked out the sky. Every step was taken in tranquility and mystery, with sunbeams filtering through the leaves, like guidance to another world. The end of the itinerary was reserved for Kusasenri on Mount Aso. Cattle and horses roamed leisurely across the vast grasslands, and the outlines of the Aso Five Peaks were clearly visible against the setting sun. The desolation of the volcanic landscape and the vitality of the grasslands achieved a wonderful reconciliation at this moment. The smooth and wonderful journey was inseparable from Tour Guide Sun's attentive care throughout. With humorous and witty language, he explained local customs. Guide Sun's professionalism and meticulousness made the originally complex transportation connections incredibly easy, and he also shared many local delicacies and souvenirs that only locals know about. Thank you, Guide Sun, for using your warmth and professionalism to turn the day's scenery into the sweetest part of our memories. We look forward to our next trip to Kyushu and hope to meet such a reliable guide again.

We booked this tour quite late, so the only option left was in Chinese. Although we don’t speak the language we still enjoyed the tour a lot! The tour guide, Kong, was nice and friendly. She tried hard to also explain certain things in English to us. The itinerary had just the right amount of things to see for a day trip. As expected, Takachiho gorge was an impressive sight. Next, we did not sign up for the train ride initially. However, later we changed our minds and Kong was kind to still let us onboard (having saved 2 last tickets). I really recommend booking the train ride - it was a highlight for me. Since the volcano was closed today, we went to see the shrine, which was hidden uphill (200 something steps) in the woods. At Kusasenrigahama we had an hour for both lunch and exploring the area. Although a bit tight with time, we still managed to have some food and walk around the grasslands. Overall, the tour was great value for money. Highly recommend!

I originally planned a free-and-easy trip, but because I couldn't book a boat ride, I unexpectedly discovered this one-day tour, which turned out to be the most wonderful memory of this trip. First, I must praise our team leader, Sister Kong Yan. Not only did she explain every detail very clearly, but she also shared a lot of little-known facts from time to time. Even with a hoarse voice, she still explained with great effort, making the entire journey very rewarding. She even introduced us to a lovely stall owner at the end, and we truly had a great time! Also, our driver, Mako, was excellent. The mountain roads were rugged and difficult, but I didn't feel any discomfort throughout the journey; I felt very safe! Everyone had a happy outing and returned home safely, for which I am truly grateful! Regarding the itinerary arrangements, I have two suggestions that might enhance everyone's experience, and I'd like to share them with you. The first is that because the Kumamoto mountainous area is large and the attractions are scattered, planning travel time is difficult. Perhaps you could consider reducing one activity so that the impression of each attraction can be more profound. For example, if the Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine were removed, the time spent at Kusasenri and Takachiho Gorge could be more relaxed. However, I can also imagine that some people prefer a "checkpoint" itinerary and would want to include more to feel more fulfilled. In that case, we can see if there's an opportunity in the future to offer a slightly more in-depth tour. The second idea is that if this trip could add one more hour, perhaps it could provide a more profound experience while retaining the entire current plan. Nevertheless, this trip was indeed incredibly rewarding. Thank you again, Sister Kong Yan and Driver Mako, for your hard work!

We gathered at Kumamoto Station at 9:00 AM and boarded the tour bus. Our guide, Mr. Kong, meticulously introduced us to the history of Kumamoto and Kumamoto Castle, local delicacies, and various aspects of Japanese culture. He also shared tips on how to make the most of our trip and create lasting memories, building anticipation from the very beginning of the journey. Our first stop was Kusasenri (approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes stay), arriving around 10:40 AM. Here, we had a variety of options: walking on the grasslands, horseback riding, taking photos, having lunch, or buying souvenirs. The itinerary was quite rich! The weather was beautiful today, with a clear blue sky, lush green grasslands, and a comfortable breeze. The entire scenery was truly therapeutic. Originally, the second stop was Mount Aso, but due to its closure, we went to Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine instead (approximately 30 minutes stay). The shrine requires climbing about 220 steps. We took our time, resting and taking photos along the way, reaching the top in about ten minutes. The forest scenery along the path was serene, verdant, and cool, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an animated film. At the very top was a small, unmanned shrine where offerings for amulets were self-service. Goshuin (red stamps) could be purchased at a small shop in the parking lot. Mr. Kong also mentioned that this shrine is ideal for praying for good relationships and marriage. The third stop was the Takachiho Railway (approximately 40-50 minutes stay). We all boarded the sightseeing train together. The seating was a bit cramped, but the overall atmosphere was joyful. The train stopped at its highest point, allowing everyone to stand up and admire the scenery and take photos, offering views of the entire forest and village houses. The conductor even used a bubble machine to create a festive mood and sang interactively, which was truly charming and thoughtful. Although some views along the way were not as expansive as imagined, the overall experience was very heartwarming. The final stop was the Takachiho Gorge boat ride (approximately 1 and a half hours stay). After getting off at the third parking lot, we walked and took photos for about 30 minutes to reach the boating area. We were very lucky and got on a boat with almost no waiting. Rowing in the cool gorge and admiring the waterfalls up close was truly a unique experience and great for photos. Afterwards, we could take a shuttle bus or taxi back to the third parking lot. Near the parking lot, there were small stalls selling grilled horse meat skewers and oden. The atmosphere of everyone chatting and resting nearby was very pleasant. The grilled horse meat skewers were fragrant, and the oden's meat was very tender with a slightly sweet broth, somewhat like stewed beef – it was delicious! Apart from the scenery, what impressed us most throughout the trip was Mr. Kong's enthusiasm and attentiveness. Before each stop, he would remind everyone what to pay attention to, when to use the restroom, and to eat beforehand. He also recommended souvenirs, and you could truly feel his genuine desire for everyone to have a good time. The driver, Mr. Mako, was also very professional, driving smoothly. He would even slow down slightly when passing beautiful scenery, allowing everyone to take photos easily. Each time we got on and off the bus, he would kindly wish everyone a pleasant journey. The only minor drawback of this trip was that the time spent at each attraction was not very long, making it more of a whirlwind tour. However, for a non-self-driving day trip, being able to experience so many characteristic attractions of Kumamoto and Takachiho at once, I found it to be very fulfilling and well worth participating in!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 我们与导游孙鹏一起度过了一次美妙的高千穗一日游！他普通话流利，非常友好，并且在整个旅程中知识渊博。从推荐很棒的当地餐馆到分享该做什么（和不该做什么），旅程的每个部分都顺利而愉快。孙鹏还帮助我们额外付费获得了高千穗铁路和高千穗峡谷乘船的门票，这非常值得赞赏，因为这些门票极难获得。 最让我们印象深刻的是他对熊本历史和文化的深入了解，这让这次体验更有意义，更令人难忘。他还确保每个人在旅途中都感到舒适和愉快。 10/10 强烈推荐孙鹏给所有来高千穗和熊本的游客。感谢您让我们的旅行如此美妙。

This time, I took my family and several aunts on a one-day tour of Takachiho, Kyushu (departing from Kumamoto), and the overall experience was very satisfying. Our guide today, Kong Yan, was very attentive. Not only did she introduce the local attractions and historical anecdotes in detail, but she also shared many local delicacies, making the trip richer and more interesting. Although it was drizzling, we could still see the spectacular bare volcanic landscape at Kusasenri and enjoyed the super delicious Aso milk, which had a unique flavor. At the secluded Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine, we felt a sense of tranquility and abundant energy, which was very impressive. Then, we took the Takachiho Amaterasu Railway, and its 360-degree open design offered an unobstructed view of the scenery along the way, making it a highly recommended experience. Finally, we arrived at Takachiho Gorge, admiring the magnificent landscape sculpted by nature, which brought a perfect end to the day's itinerary. In addition, we also tasted the horse meat skewers and stewed horse meat recommended by the guide, which were surprisingly delicious. We are very grateful for the hard work and professionalism of the guide and driver, who made this trip a wonderful memory. This time, I participated in the Takachiho day trip tour departing from Kumamoto, and overall, it was a very satisfying experience. Our guide, Kong Yan, was very attentive and not only introduced the highlights of the tourist spots but also provided detailed information about local gourmet food, making the trip more fulfilling. Despite the light rain, we were able to see the magnificent volcanic scenery at Kusasenri, which offered a different kind of charm. Furthermore, at Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine, also known as a secluded spot, we felt a special energy amidst the quiet and mysterious atmosphere, which was very impressive. Afterwards, we rode the Takachiho Torokko train and enjoyed the beautiful scenery from the 360-degree open carriage, which is highly recommended. Finally, we visited Takachiho Gorge and enjoyed the magnificent scenery created by nature, which was a fitting end to the day. Also, the horse meat skewers and stewed horse meat recommended by the guide were very delicious, and we were very satisfied. Thanks to the guide and driver, we made wonderful memories. Thank you very much.

Our guide was absolutely perfect, scoring 100 out of 100! Not only was he incredibly attentive, reminding us of important details along the way and explaining Japanese history and culture, but he was also very thoughtful, helping us take many beautiful photos and introducing us to numerous delicious foods! We highly recommend boating at Takachiho Gorge – it was so much fun! Although it requires a certain level of physical stamina, I think it's 100% worth it 💓 Afterwards, we also took a scenic train ride, and the cherry blossoms along the way were stunning. We were surprised that Miyazaki was already in full bloom by the end of March. Although it was a bit disappointing that we couldn't visit the volcano crater because it was closed today, our guide was wonderful and helped us add an alternative itinerary, taking us to the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine ⛩️, which is the setting for the anime 'Hotarubi no Mori e'. We climbed over 200 steps to reach a breathtakingly beautiful view, and it felt like a spiritual cleansing. Our final stop was Kusasenri, which was a beautiful golden color at the end of March. We highly recommend the Akagyu (red beef) rice at Kusasenri Restaurant No. 4 – you grill it yourself, and it smells amazing! Finally, our guide even bought us small gifts 🎁, bringing a perfect day to a wonderful close 💟