Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine Tour
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu shrine rose to fame through social media after being used as a back drop for the hit animated film ‘Hotarubi no Mori e’. Its magical atmosphere, towering cedars, moss covered stone lanterns and mysterious stone archway have given it a deserved reputation as a power spot.
Over the last few years it has become a must see Kyushu location But like many other great spots in Kyushu it is off the beaten path and more than a little difficult to get to. On this tour you can visit Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu shrine in a day trip by combining it with either:
- Takachiho Gorge
- Mount Aso
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Tour information
- 1 to 6 people
- Tour duration 8 hours
- Language - English
- Price from 13,000 Yen per person
- Discount for children
- Activity level - Moderate
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Tour Highlights
- Guided visit to Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine combined with another great location – Choose from 2 options
- Option 1 – Takachiho Gorge & Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu shrine
- Option 2 – visit Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu shrine as part of the Around Aso Tour
- Small group tour with dedicated transport
- Highly rated, friendly, informative English speaking guide.
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Tour Details
Meeting Point: The tour begins and ends from Higo Ozu Station, a 35 to 40 minute train ride from Kumamoto City. However, it may also be possible to arrange a pick up from your hotel if you are staying in the Minami Aso area. Please contact us with your hotel details to find out more.
Tour duration: 09:00 to 17:30 (8 hours)
No. of guests: Minimum 1 person, maximum 6.
Activity level: Moderate, the tour involves walking up and down hill on steps to Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu shrine.
Tour Inclusions:
English guide fee, dedicated transport, parking fees.
Tour Exclusions:
Lunch is not included in the tour price. But please notify us of any special dietary preferences when booking so we can advise you where to eat.
*Takachiho Gorge Option:
Time is allowed for rowing on the gorge* but rowing boat rental and lunch are not included as standard. The price of rowing is 5100 Yen per boat, but reduced to 4100 Yen from Tuesday to Thursday. A maximum of 3 people can ride in one boat. Life jackets are provided. (Rowing is not included as standard as not everyone wants to do it and after heavy rain the river level can rise quickly which means rowing can be cancelled at short notice. If you don’t want to row that’s fine, you will just have extra free time in the gorge)
Weather: The tour can go ahead in most weather conditions however, it may be cancelled in the case of storms, heavy rain or snow.
Drop off: The drop off is at Higo Ozu station around 17:30. Trains back to Kumamoto City run approximately every 20 minutes. A drop off in the Minami Aso area may also be possible with advance booking. Please contact us with your hotel details to find out more
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Tour Itineraries:
Timings are approximate and the schedule and itinerary order may change according to the weather and time constraints.
There are 3 options to combine with Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine.
*It is possible to further customise the tour schedule if you request a private tour or are the only participants. There may be extra charges for this. Contact us to find out more.
Option 1 Kamishikimi Shrine & Takachiho gorge
09:00 Meet up with your guide in front of Higo Ozu Station (you can take the 08:15 train from Kumamoto City to Higo Ozu)
09:30 Stop off at a local farmer’s market and viewpoint called Asobonosato Kugino. There you can take in the beautiful views of the southern Aso caldera and take a look at some of the local produce.
10:50 Enjoy a relaxing guided walk along the Takachiho gorge. Your guide will tell you about the features of the gorge and some of the ancient myths associated with it. The walk has some steps but the pace is slow with plenty of time for photographs. Take in the views and enjoy some of the many ancient Shinto myths connected to the Takachiho area.
12:00 Option to go boating on the gorge – The boat fee is 4100 Yen per boat (Tues to Thurs) and 5100 Yen per boat other days. The boating is for 30 minutes, up to 3 adults can ride in one boat or 2 adults and 2 pre-schoolers. Midday is the best time to row as you can often see rainbows in the waterfall that cascades into the gorge
From your boat you can view the amazing rock features, and get as close (as you like!) to the beautiful Manai waterfall, an experience not to be missed. (The river is very calm, life jackets are provided and only very basic rowing skills are needed.) If you would prefer not to row you will have extra free time to enjoy the gorge.
12:40 Lunch & freetime
For lunch there are several restaurants to choose from including a charming and unique restaurant specialising in Nagashi Soumen, a popular Japanese summer dish which originated in Takachiho. The fast flowing noodles are a challenge for your chopstick skills and a lot of fun to eat.
14:00 Depart from Takachicho
14:45 Tsukimawari Park view – one of Minami Aso’s best viewpoints
15:10 Guided visit to Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu shrine
16:15 Head back to the station
17:00 Arrive Higo Ozu station
Trains back to Kumamoto City run approximately every 15 to 20 minutes.
If you are visiting in early to mid April and the sakura is in bloom we can also take the scenic route past the 1000 sakura in Takamori
Option 2 Around Aso tour
09:00 Meet up with your guide in front of Higo Ozu Station (you can take the 08:15 train from Kumamoto City to Higo Ozu)
09:30 Stop off at a local farmer’s market and viewpoint called Asobonosato Kugino. There you can take in the beautiful views of the southern Aso caldera and take a look at some of the local produce.
10:10 Shirakawa Suigen – visit the beautiful, sacred spring and sample the water. This is Minami Aso’s most famous springhead, drinking from it is said to give you a long and healthy life and is the source of Kumamoto’s Shirakawa river
10:45 Tsukimawari Park view– one of Minami Aso’s best viewpoints
11:10 Guided visit to Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu shrine
12:30 Lunch at a local restaurant (just let us know if have any special dietary needs)
13:40 enjoy a scenic drive up Mt Aso with stop offs for the views on the way
14:20 Visit Mt Aso’s active volcano – the Nakadake Volcano crater and Sunasenri ash plateau
15:00 Free time on Kusasenri – take a hike around the gorgeous grassy crater plateau surronded by volcanic peaks and great views of the active volcano. There are horses, cafes, souvenirs, a visitor center and the Volcano Museum as well.
16:00 stop off at Komezuka – Aso’s smallest and cutest volcano
16:40 Daikanbo View point – for the best view of the vast Aso caldera
17:30 Arrive Higo Ozu Station
The itinerary may vary according to the order of places visited and due to the weather conditions
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Tour Pricing
1 person – 26,000 Yen
2 to 3 people – 15,000 Yen per person
4 to 6 people – 13,000 Yen per person
Bicycle rental fees are not included
Private & customised tours are available – contact us with your requests and no. of people
Family discounts available. (Please contact us with your children’s ages to find out more)
All tours are paid for in cash on the day, no deposit is required.
About Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu shrine
Click here for the Explore Kuammoto blog about Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu shrine
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine tour - How to book
If the date is blank it can be booked for any tour of your choice. Just fill in the contact form with your request.
If there is already a tour running for the date you want, check the number of places available and then contact us to make a booking.
If the date you want is unavailable, it may be possible to put you in touch with a freelance English speaking guide, contact us with your details to find out more.
Aiming for Responsible & Sustainable Tourism
We will invest and promote the local communities we visit and the nature we cherish
We will offset the carbon emissions from each tour with Gold Standard carbon credits