Takachiho & Aso tour offers a half of Takachiho and a half of Mt Aso in a day. Takachiho in the morning and Aso in the afternoon when the weather is fine. Below is the set itinerary, but of course you can customise the tour with your favourite spots to visit as you like.
First in the morning, I can come pick you up from your hotel in Kumamoto city or JR Kumamoto station. And after the tour, I drop you off at JR Higo Ozu station where you can take a local JR train to get back to JR Kumamoto station in only 35 min, much quicker than my car ride that may take 70 – 90 min due to heavy traffic. If you prefer to use my ride to get back to your hotel after the tour, the overtime fee is 7,000 JPY.
Highlights
Kunimiga Oka Lookout
Takachiho Gorge
Rental Rowboat
Mt Aso South Lookout
Lunch
You have the following lunch options on this tour. Nagashi Soumen at Takachiho Gorge or Beef Bowl (this restaurant is extremely popular and busy everyday!) or Japanese BBQ with Kumamoto’s local Japanese beef (Wagyu) in Aso.
Nagashi Soumen (流しそうめん)
Use your chopsticks well to catch the cold wheat noodles coming down a bamboo lane! This is such a fun activity!
Akaushi don
Beef bowl (rice bowl topped with sliced Aso’s local beef)
Takamori Dengaku no Sato (高森田楽の里)
Japanese styly BBQ in a traditional folk house
Kamishikimi Kumano Imasu shrine
A Shinto shrine that offers such a mysterious atmosphere in a hidden spot. Taking a walk on stone staircases leads you to the ancient times of Japan.
View of Mt Aso’s active crater
We drive up to the view point to see its active crater where the volcanic gas (SO2 = sulfer dioxide) may flow around. If you have heart diseases or suffer from asthma, maybe you should avoid this visit.
*Viewing zone of Mt Aso’s crater has been open since 19 Jul 2024. But please note that this is an active voclano, that depends on its activity and weather conditions to visit and view.
Kusasenri
Komedzuka
Drop-off at JR Higo Ozu St.
I don’t want to waste your precious time!
I’d strongly recommend taking a local train to get back to JR Kumamoto, which takes only 35 min while a car ride may take 100 min since we have heavy and slow traffic between JR Higo Ozu station and Kumamoto city.
Itinerary & Pricing
Standard Itinerary
Pickup from HOTEL / JR Station in Kumamoto city
Travel to Takachiho (2 hr ride)
Kunimi ga Oka -Short hike & View
Takachiho Gorge – Short hike & Rowboat (option)
Lunch break
Travel to Aso (40 min ride)
Mt Aso south observatory
Kamishikimi Kumano Imasu shrine (Shinto)
Mt Aso’s crater (depends on weather and volcanic activity)
Kusasenri
Komedzuka
Drop-off at Higo Ozu station
↑ Click each spot to see images
Pricing
Basic Charge: 44,000 yen (shared among the number of participants)
Guide Fee : 7,000 yen per adult
8 yo – 12 yo : 4,000 yen per child
under 8 yo : 5,000 yen for baby seat rental
+ 10% Tax
Overtime: 7,000 yen per hour
Ex: 63,800 JPY for 2 pax
Capacity: 7 participants (in my mini van unless you have any luggage)
renting a 9-passenger van : plus 28,000 yen per day
renting a 13-passenger van : plus 32,000 yen per day
Takachiho & Mt Aso Tour Includes:
Tour Arrangement / Transport / Photographs