Passeios por Lake Akan

Thanks to driver Yamamoto, who, on New Year's Eve in Japan, braved heavy snow to drive us from Lake Akan to Asahikawa. We were deeply touched! Because we booked the car late and it was during the Japanese New Year, the travel agency tried to arrange a vehicle for several days but couldn't find one. The day before, during our tour of the three lakes in Eastern Hokkaido with driver Yamamoto, he heard we hadn't booked a car or bought bus tickets and kindly agreed to drive us to Asahikawa. Driver Yamamoto was exceptionally meticulous and friendly during our tour of the three lakes in Eastern Hokkaido. Not only did he get out of the car to join us and help us take photos, but he also brought bread to feed the swans. When he saw a deer on the road, he even braked and reminded me to quickly record it. On the way back, we also saw the most beautiful sunset. He truly is such a kind and loving old gentleman! Thanks to the travel agency @FangXinQuFei, who was always responsive, actively communicated, and worked hard to help me arrange transportation these past few days. Transportation in Eastern Hokkaido is inconvenient; if you can drive, self-driving is recommended. If you need to charter a car, be sure to arrange it early. The scenery in Hokkaido is beautiful, but I was even more moved by the purity and kindness of the people here. I think this is the true meaning of travel! Thanks again to Mr. Yamamoto and @FangXinQuFei. Happy New Year to you all!

Aunque llovió por la tarde, disfruté mucho del recorrido. Erina fue muy servicial y siempre nos asistió, es amable y siempre sonríe y, por supuesto... hermosa, jeje. ¡MUCHAS GRACIAS, ERINA!👍

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was easily one of the highlights of our trip to Japan! If you’re a fan of JDM culture, Fast & Furious, or just love cars, this experience is absolutely worth it. It doesn’t feel like a typical tourist tour—you really become part of the local car community. Seeing legendary cars, meeting passionate owners, driving through Tokyo at night, and visiting Daikoku PA created memories we’ll never forget. A special thank you to our driver, Timi. She was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and professional from the very beginning. She made us feel comfortable, shared interesting stories, answered all our questions, and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Her passion for JDM culture really shows, and it made the night feel authentic and special. Thank you, Timi, and the whole Gaijin Tuned team for an unforgettable evening. We would definitely do it again and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Tokyo!

Sun Peng, our guide, deserves full marks! He was incredibly knowledgeable about Kumamoto throughout the trip, explaining the unique features of each attraction. To be honest, the Aso Boy train wasn't really worth it, haha. 2300 yen per person just to see a mountain; it's not as beautiful as the Ghibli train I rode in Hakone, Tokyo. It was a shame we couldn't go boating in Takachiho Gorge today, but the scenery was still good, though slightly less impressive than Hokkaido's Blue Pond. However, my only complaint about the guide is that he sent us to Takachiho Shrine. It's fine to go, but the path is genuinely difficult, so be prepared. But on the way back to the parking lot, the guide told us to follow Google Maps to the third parking lot, which would have been a disaster! You absolutely must return to that slope and head straight for the third parking lot. When you go to the shrine, there's a fork in the road on that slope; pay attention to the sign indicating the direction to the third parking lot. It's only 300m that way. Do NOT follow the map! A large group of us followed the map, but luckily I had seen the sign on the way there, otherwise, we would have been completely lost trying to find our way back! The cheese mini-bread recommended by the guide was decent, and the cream puffs were also good, filled with ice cream. I didn't try the summer iced tea special. The horse sashimi and barbecue were okay, but don't have high expectations; it's not as good as grilled beef. Next, regarding the guide's recommendations at Kusasenri: I didn't buy the keychains, didn't buy the horse oil cream, but I did buy a fridge magnet. The green house was a bit hard to find, so look carefully. The beef burger was sold out. The only thing I think is worth recommending, which the guide didn't, is the ice cream. If you go, remember to try the ice cream at the museum! Oh, and I also want to mention that the time at Kusasenri is actually very short. If you climb to the observation deck and then come down, and also want to eat and shop, it might be quite rushed. Be prepared to just have ice cream! The fridge magnet is very cute and worth buying for 800 yen! Finally, the Tenkaippin ramen was a bit disappointing; the firm noodles were very salty and not as good as Ippudo in Osaka, haha. Ippudo is also salty (apparently ramen is meant to be paired with sake). As for the Osmanthus fried rice: it tasted like something any Chinese restaurant could make; no need to specifically try it in Japan, hahaha! Overall, this group tour was actually pretty good, just a bit rushed. Of course, that's because there were many places to visit, and it wasn't a self-guided trip, haha! I would still consider a group tour again if I have the chance!

Explore the stunning hidden gems and mythical landscapes of Kyushu on a one-day tour! I recently joined a tour that included Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine, Takachiho Gorge, Amano Iwato Shrine, and Amano Yasukawara, and the overall experience was wonderful. Attraction Highlights: Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine has a very peaceful and sacred atmosphere, and the photos taken there have a spiritual quality; the scenery at Takachiho Gorge is even more spectacular, making the trip absolutely worthwhile. Tour Experience: Being able to visit so many classic Miyazaki and Takachiho attractions in one day is very convenient and effortless for independent travelers, as there's no need to worry about complicated transfers. Special Note (for those with dietary restrictions): Although the tour includes a "Miyazaki Beef specialty lunch," as I personally don't eat beef, I recommend that friends with dietary needs confirm in advance with the tour guide when booking or on the day of the tour. They are usually very accommodating. Conclusion: The itinerary was well-paced yet smooth, and the tour guide's service was very professional. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to experience these beautiful, mythical attractions all at once!

The tour guide, Mr. Ohashi, was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. He successfully arranged the boat ride, allowing us to have a wonderful and memorable experience on this trip. I truly appreciate his assistance in ensuring my family, as first-time visitors to Kyushu, had such a great time.

I enjoyed this trip a lot. I saw plenty of cute and pretty things at Yufuin village. Just a little sad that the train ride was suspended during our time. However, we were able to spend longer time at other attractions. Our tour guide, Daisy, is such a kind person. She even made maps and food recommendations for us to try. Also, our bus driver drives carefully so I was able to rest between locations.

Having a small group tour is better than a large bus tour. There's always communication with everyone. Our guide, Lee, is kind and drives carefully. Even though it was raining, Mr. Lee still stopped at every place listed on the itinerary. He tried to explain the history and bits and pieces of the places we visited. Overall, it was a good experience. Just a bit sad because we didn't see Mt. Fuji since it was raining 😞