Kumamoto and Mount Aso Day Tour from Fukuoka Return by Aso Train

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Kumamoto Castle

   Kumamoto Castle (Entrance fee is 800 yen, at your own expense) Kumamoto Castle is one of the "Three Famous Castles in Japan". It was built by Kato Kiyomasa, the first lord of the Kumamoto Domain and a famous castle builder, over a period of seven years starting from 1601. After the Kato family was demoted, it became the residence of the Hosokawa family. The more you go up, the more you want to turn back. There are many places worth seeing, such as the special stone walls called "Musha-gaeshi" and the magnificent Honmaru Goten. It is the symbol of Kumamoto City. Seriously damaged by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, the Tenshukaku was finally restored in the spring of 2021. Standing on a slightly elevated hill in the center of Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Castle, which has a history of more than 400 years since its construction, is worth a visit. Besides visiting the famous Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, don't forget to visit the Sakuranobaba Josaien next to the castle.

   110 minutes here · Admission not included

2. Kumamon Square

   KUMAMON Square (Japanese name: くまモンスクエア. Go by yourself. It takes 30 minutes to walk back and forth. Please pay attention to the time allocation) Kumamon was born in March 2011 with the opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen. KUMAMON Square is the base of the Minister of Sales and Happiness of Kumamoto Prefecture, who is active both at home and abroad, and a place to promote Kumamoto Prefecture's tourism and product information . From the Kumamon sales minister's office to the limited-edition peripheral products in the office, and even the coffee shop dishes made with local ingredients in Kumamoto Prefecture, it is fun, easy to buy, and delicious. When the minister is present, he will also give a delightful performance on stage.

   30 minutes here

3. Mt. Aso Nakadake Crater

   Aso Nakadake Crater (about 15 - 20 minutes, free time, additional entrance fees are at your own expense). If the crater is under control, the itinerary will be adjusted based on the actual situation on the spot. Aso Nakadake Crater is located in the northeast of Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu. It is a well-known active volcano in Japan and boasts a unique caldera terrain in the world. It is also one of the few places where you can see an active volcano up close. You can overlook the crater from a short distance and observe the continuous white smoke, allowing you to experience the incredible power and magnificent beauty of nature during your journey.

   20 minutes here

4. Kusasenrigahama

   Kusasenrigahama (about 90 - 100 minutes, free time, including lunch time at your own expense) Kusasenrigahama is a large grassland located at the northern foot of Eboshidake. There is a pool formed by rainwater in the middle of the grasslands where cattle and horses are grazing. You can see a variety of scenery throughout the year. In this vast grassland of 20,000 hectares, taking a leisurely walk on the green grassland, watching free cattle and sheep, and breathing the fresh air in the mountains can make you feel relaxed and refreshed, and give you the illusion of being in a fairyland.

   90 minutes here

5. Aso Volcano Museum

   Aso Volcano Museum (entrance fee is 1,100 yen, at your own expense). Facing the vast Kusasenri, the Aso Volcano Museum focuses on "Aso Volcano" and displays the topography, geology, animals, and plants of Aso. It houses a wealth of fascinating materials related to the history of Aso Volcano. You can not only observe the formation process of Aso Volcano through a three-dimensional model, but also gain valuable insights into other volcanoes in Japan and the world. The museum's latest camera system also provides live video of Nakadake Crater.

   30 minutes here · Admission not included

6. Have a horseback riding experience in Kusasenri at your own expense. For itinerary A, it takes 5 minutes for 1,500 yen; for itinerary B, it takes about 20 minutes for 4,000 yen; for itinerary C, it takes about 25 minutes for 5,000 yen. Are you interested in horseback riding in the breathtaking scenery of Aso? With the help of experienced staff, even children and those who have never ridden a horse can ride confidently. Activity Name: Single Horseback Riding Double Horseback Riding (These prices are for informational purposes only. ) Plan A: Approximately 5 minutes (yen) to 1,500 (yen). Plan B: Approximately 20 minutes, 4000 yen to 6,000 yen. Plan C: Approximately 25 minutes , 5000 yen to 8,000 yen. Double horseback riding in each plane is only available for children in lower grades of primary school. Business hours: 9:00 - 16:00. Operation period: from early March to early December. There are no designated days off during the operating period. Closed on rainy days.

   30 minutes here · Admission not included

7. Aso

   Get off at Michinoeki ASO (without a tour guide). Aso Volcano has one of the largest calderas and magnificent outer rims in the world. Here, you can admire the magnificent Aso Five Peaks. Aso specialties can only be purchased here, such as seasonal vegetables, fruits, meat, dairy products, desserts, and handmade bento. As part of the collaboration between Kumamoto Prefecture and the popular manga "One Piece," created by local cartoonist Eiichiro Oda, the statue of Usopp of the Straw Hat Pirates is displayed in Aso Station Square.

   Pass by without stopping

8. Yumenoyu

   Aso Bochu Onsen Yume Hot Spring (At Your Own Expense) https://www.aso.ne.jp/~yumenoyu/index.html Natural hot springs are always readily available. The hot springs are made of Hinoki cypress, which is grown in the prefecture. The brown water is the hot spring. The spring temperature at Aso Bochu Onsen Yume Hot Spring is 53 degrees Celsius, and the water flow rate is 260 liters per minute. You can experience a "family bath," "foot bath," "open-air bath," and "sauna" here. Business hours: Public bath: 10:00 - 22:00 (Rest days: The public bath is closed on the first and third Mondays of each month. If Monday is a national holiday, it will be closed on the second day of the holiday). Bathing fees: Public bath 400 yen, Family bath: 1,500 yen per room per hour, Foot bath: Free if you use this facility.

   30 minutes here · Admission not included

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Languages

ja, en, zh-CN

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

Scenic Bend

Know before you go

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• WARNING:This tour is not suitable for people with the following respiratory diseases (asthmatics - people with bronchial diseases - people with heart problems) and it is forbidden to enter the Aso volcano at any time, the toxic gases from the volcano may cause an attack, which can be serious and may lead to death.
• The night before the tour, you will receive a departure reminder email in your mailbox, which contains the vehicle registration number, the contact information of the guide and the pick up time. Guides do not initiate contact with guests.Please wait for the bus at the specified location according to the meeting time in the email.
• One-day trip itinerary, it is not recommended to carry luggage, if you need to carry luggage, please register clearly when you book your order. 1 luggage is allowed per person. An extra 100 yuan per piece will be charged if you failed to make a note when booking your order or if it turns out more than 1 piece of luggage per guest.
• Be sure to provide complete information (name + number of people + phone number + WeChat ID + pick-up location) when making a reservation to avoid errors that may affect the itinerary.
• During the trip, please carry your passport and valuables with you and keep them safe. If there is any loss, theft, damage, etc., you will be responsible for it yourself.
• Elderly people, patients with cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and pregnant women are advised to be accompanied by relatives.
• This trip does not accept solo registration from customers under the age of 18. If you want to register, please ask your guardian to sign up for this trip together.
• This itinerary is a fixed itinerary for carpooling. Customers who are also participating in this itinerary must abide by the stay time at each attraction and follow the driver's arrangements. If you want to flexibly adjust your itinerary, please refer to our chartered tour service.
• Please note that if you fail to participate or cancel the trip due to personal problems, lateness, etc., no fees will be refunded.
• If a person leaves the group on his own during the trip, the transaction will be deemed invalid and no fees will be refunded. And if this results in personal or property safety, you must bear the consequences yourself.
• The arrival time of each trip may change due to traffic conditions, weather, festivals, and crowds on the day. If the trip is delayed or canceled due to the aforementioned or other force majeure factors, please forgive me and you will not be able to request a refund.
• Please wear light, suitable travel clothing and shoes to participate in this trip.
• Please be sure to abide by local laws and regulations in Japan, and do not carry items prohibited by Japanese law to avoid violating the law and affecting your own rights and interests.
• When moving freely, you should pay attention to your own personal and property safety. If you fail to listen to advice and an accident occurs or causes losses, you will be responsible for the consequences.
• Traffic jams may occur on weekends and red days, so if you are worried about traffic jams, you can avoid joining the tour on weekends or red days.
• Infants aged 0-2 years old without occupying seats are free of charge; please inform the number of infants in advance when placing an order. If you do not specify the number of children under 3 years old without seats in advance, resulting in insufficient space in the car or overcrowding, the driver and guide have the right to refuse to get on the car, and the fee will not be refunded.
• Reservations must be made 5 days in advance.
• The remaining hours are allotted for the travel time and lunch.

Photos