From Fukuoka to Takachiho via Aso & Kumamoto *Please book and pay for your hotel in Takachiho independently.

Fukuoka - [ Day-1 PICK UP ] 08:00 Your hotel or HAKATA Station, HAKATA Port in Fukuoka city

At the airport, a driver holding a name board will meet you at the arrival gate and guide you to the bus parking lot. If possible, please provide your [arrival flight number] in advance.

< Day 1 > Fukuoka - Kumamoto - Aso - Takachiho, Miyazaki
*This package does not include hotel arrangements in Takachiho, so please make and pay for your own hotel reservations.

< Day 2 > Takachiho - Fukuoka

Kumamoto Castle - [ Day-1 ] 09:30-10:30 Kumamoto Castle, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto

*The castle itself is free to enter, with paid rooms in Kumamoto Castle costing ¥800 per adult (≒$5)

“The Splendid and Stormy 400-Year History of Kumamoto Castle”
The iconic Kumamoto Castle that stands today was completed in 1607 by Kato Kiyomasa, the first daimyo (feudal lord) of the castle, using great effort and the latest technology. Since then, Kumamoto Castle has been the backdrop for the stories of many significant heroes spanning 400 years of Japan’s history. The Hosokawa clan, swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi, and Imperial Army commander Tani Tateki are just some of the heroes who have left their mark on the castle’s dramatic history. Sit back and relax as we take you on a journey through 400 years of Kumamoto Castle’s history.

Komezuka - [ Day-1 ] 11:45 < view spot > Komezuka, Otohime, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2226

Descending slightly from Nakadake Crater brings you to Komezuka, a picture-perfect scoria cone with a circular indentation at the top. Despite its modest height of just 80 m, Komezuka is a true volcano, with its indented peak providing evidence of past eruptions. The gentle slopes are covered in grass that changes from soft green in spring to desolate brown in winter. Contrasting dramatically with the jaggedly majestic scenery surrounding it, Komezuka is a popular attraction for photographers.

Visitors to Kami-komezuka can observe a cross-section of the scoria cone, which has an unusually symmetrical form. Scoria is a type of volcanic rock that resembles black pumice stone, with many tiny holes in it. The holes are formed when magma expelled by a volcanic eruption cools quickly, hardening around the tunnels of escaping air.

Kusasenrigahama - [ Day-1 ] Noon-16:00 Kusasenri at the foot of Mt. Aso

*Lunch is at the restaurant “New Kusenri” on Mt. Aso.

You can also experience horseback riding in the grassland in front of you for an additional fee. You can book other activities yourself.

*Depending on the eruption situation, you may not be able to get close to the crater of Mt. Aso.
https://www.aso-volcano.jp/eng/

Mt. Aso’s caldera is one of the world’s largest calderas, stretching 18km east-west and 25km north-south. There are five mountains, Mt. Nekodake, Mt. Takadake, Mt. Nakadake, Mt. Eboshidake, and Mt. Kishimadake, called “Aso Gogaku” at the center of the caldera. Mt. Nakadake is still active, with a crater 600m in diameter, 130m in depth, and 4km in circumference. You can see the huge crater emitting white smoke and the magnificent scenery up close. When the level of volcanic activity is high, you may not be able to approach the crater.
※Access to the crater can be restricted due to weather conditions, please check it.

Takachiho-cho - [ Day-1 DROP OFF ] 17:30 < guest hotel > at TAKACHIHO town, Miyazaki Pref

*Please book the following yourself and pay directly on-site.
e.g.) Solest Takachiho Hotel, 1261-1 Mitai, Takachiho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki 882-1101

*A popular hotel booking site in Japan.
https://travel.rakuten.com/

*Dinner at rural Japanese inns usually takes place around 6pm.

Tomorrow morning, the bus will come back to pick you up at the same place where you were dropped off.

[ TAKACHIHO KAGURA Night Show ]
*From 8pm, the local specialty “Kagura” will be performed. For more information, please contact the Takachiho Tourist Association.
https://takachiho-kanko.info/en/boat_kagura/

*Evening transportation is not included, so it is best to book a hotel as close to the venue as possible.

Visit Takachiho and return to Fukuoka (or Kumamoto)

Takachiho-cho - [ Day-2 PICK UP ] 08:00 Your hotel at TAKACHIHO town, Miyazaki Pref

On the morning of the second day, our minibus will pick you up from your hotel in Takachiho, Miyazaki.

Takachiho Gorge - [ Day-2 ] 08:15-11:15 Takachiho Gorge *near Ohashi BUS Parking Lot, 1248-4 Oshikata, Takachiho

*Buses are not allowed to go to the boat terminal, so take a 15-minute walk along the promenade full of negative ions from the parking lot.

Takachiho Gorge’s rental boats can accommodate up to three people. The cost is ¥4100 or ¥5100 (approx. USD 30-40) per boat.
You can make your own reservation online. You can also arrange for a local guide.
↓
https://takachiho-kanko.info/en/

Takachiho (高千穂) is a town in northern Miyazaki Prefecture that is steeped in Japanese mythology. It is the supposed site of the legend where Amaterasu, the Shinto Sun Goddess, disturbed by her brother’s cruel pranks, hid herself in a cave, prompting the other gods and goddesses to try and lure her out.

Takachiho-cho - [ Day-2 ] 11:30-12:30 < lunch 2 > at TAKACHIHO town, Miyazaki

e.g. ) Roadside station Takachiho, Takachiho, Miyazaki < Stay one hour >
*Please select lunch places.

Lunch place recommendation: “Kagura-Yado” is a famous place for lunch in Takachiho.
https://kagurayado.jp/en/cuisine.html

Takachiho Shrine - [ Day-2 ] 12:45-13:30 < guided > Takachiho Shrine, 1037 Mitai, Takachiho

Takachiho Shrine (高千穂神社, Takachiho Jinja), located just west of the town center, is nestled in a grove of tall cedars. During the day, the shrine’s nondescript, unpainted buildings blend in naturally with the surrounding trees. The light that filters through brings with it an air of calm, peaceful reverence.

Amano Yasugawara - [ Day-2 ] 14:00-15:00 < mysterious spot > Amanoyasukawara, Iwato, Takachiho

Takachiho is the site of one of the best-known legends of Japanese mythology. In the story, Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess, became so outraged by her brother’s cruel pranks that she hid herself in a cave, refusing to come out and depriving the world of her life-giving light.

Michi-no-Eki Shichijo Melon Dome - [ Day-2 ] 16:45-17:00 < short break > Shichijo Melon Dome Roadside Station, Kikuchi, Kumamoto

close-18:00 If you arrive during opening hours, you can buy the local specialty melons.

Fukuoka - *Drop off point at Fukuoka or Kumamoto. ( Your hotel or a station or an airport …etc. )

*If the departure point is Fukuoka, the end point can be either Fukuoka or Kumamoto.

• 7m length Minibus (21 + 6 seats) and an English speaking guide
• Accommodation fees for our crews
• Toll and parking fees

• *Please make your hotel arrangements and payments at TAKACHIHO town, Miyaaki Pref by yourself.
• meal and drink
• Entrance fee of Kumamoto Castle: ¥800(≒5 USD)
• Takachiho Gorge’s rental boats: ¥4100 or ¥5100 (≒30-40 USD) per boat ( -3 pax )
• *From 8pm, the “Kagura” will be performed. For more info, the Takachiho Tourist Association.
• *Evening transportation is not included, so it is best to book a hotel as close to the KGURA venue.