Visit Takachiho Gorge & the Aso volcano on a private or small group tour from Kumamoto
Activity level
'two amazing sights in just one day'
The Takachiho and Aso tour combines two of Kyushu's top destinations. The unforgettable Takachiho Gorge and Mt Aso the name given to the breathtaking Aso caldera. Within the vast caldera lies a chain of volcanoes and Mt Nakadake; an active volcano where you have the chance to visit the active crater and take a look inside.
Takachiho & Aso tour
This tour takes you to
- Minami Aso viewpoint
- Takachiho Gorge
- Nakadake Volcano crater
- Kusasenri Plateau
- Komezuka volcano
09:00 to 17:30
1 to 6 people
English
From 16,000 PP
Takachiho and Aso Tour information
- 1 to 6 people
- Tour duration 8.5 hours
- Language - English
- Price from 16,000 Yen per person
- Discount for children
- Activity level - Moderate
- Includes free time
- Option to go rowing
- Choice of places for lunch
- Starts from Higo Ozu station, Kumamoto
- Guided walk along Takachiho Gorge
- Time to go boating on Takachiho Gorge
- Catch some flowing noodles for lunch or try other local foods
- Photo stops for scenic views of Mount Aso
- Free time on top of Mount Aso at Kusasenri
- Chance to visit Nakadake, Aso’s active volcano and go all the way up to its active crater
- See Komezuka – Mount Aso’s perfectly formed mini volcano
- Small group tour with dedicated transport
- Highly rated, friendly, informative English speaking guide.
- Qualified Aso Global Geopark guide
Takachiho and Aso Tour
Sample Itinerary:
Timings are approximate and the schedule and itinerary order may change according to the weather and time constraints.
*It is possible to customise the tour schedule if you request a private tour or are the only participants, there may be extra charges for this. For example some people would like to add in a visit to Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine in Aso or a ride on the Amaterasu train in Takachiho Contact us to find out more.
09:00 Meet up with your guide in front of Higo Ozu Station
We journey through the remote Minami Aso region stopping off at a local farmer’s market and viewpoint called Asobonosato Kugino on the way. There you can take in the beautiful views of the southern Aso caldera.
10:45 Arrive in Takachiho
Take a guided walk along the Takachiho gorge, taking in the views and learning some of the many ancient legends connected to the Takachiho area.
12:00 Free time or Time to go rowing on the gorge Rowing on the gorge is a great way to experience its beauty, it’s a very popular activity and needs to be pre booked. This can be done from 14 days in advance. One row boat can hold up to 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 pre -schoolers, boats are rented out for 30 minutes. If you are not confident rowing I am always happy to row for you.
12:40 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. Soumen noodles flow down a bamboo slide in naturally chilled spring water, this unique dish is a challenge for your chopstick skills and a lot of fun to eat.
After lunch we spend the afternoon exploring the Mount Aso region.
13:30 Head back to southern Aso and then take a spectacular 30 minute drive up into the central Aso volcanic peaks known as Asozan. On route we will stop to take in views of the Akaushi cattle grazing the mountain sides, and the views down into the Minami Aso caldera.
15:00 We arrive at the Nakadake Crater – Mount Aso’s active volcano, if the active volcano is at Level 1 and conditions are safe we drive all the way up to the crater area where you will be able to look into the active volcano and walk around the crater area and the Sunasenri plateau – a surreal lunar landscape made of volcanic ash and rocks deposited by the volcano. If the crater area is closed we will have more time to enjoy Kusasenri.
15:40 Kusasenri – On top of Mount Aso there is a vast plateau called Kusasenri – this is the remains of a kilometer wide volcanic crater active 27,000 years ago. Nowadays it’s a beautiful grassland surrounded by volcanic peaks offering impressive views of the active volcano. Here you have free time to explore; take a walk around the different viewing platforms, visit the Mount Aso visitor center or Aso Volcano Museum. Visit a cafe, try an Aso gelato or do a little souvenir shopping. From spring to late autumn horse riding is also possible.
16:40 Komezuka We will finish our day by heading down the northern route stopping off at the perfectly formed mini volcano of Komezuka for photos. The road then winds through the grasslands and out of the caldera via the dramatic Tateno Valley.
17:30 Arrive back at Higo Ozu Station
Takachiho and Aso Tour
Pricing
1 person – 38,000 Yen
2 people – 20,000 Yen per person
3 people – 19,000 yen per person
4 people – 18,000 Yen per person
5 people – 17,000 Yen per person
6 people – 16,000 Yen per person
These prices refer to the total number of people on a tour. So if you book a tour for 1 person and no-one else joins then your price is 38,000 yen, if 2 more people join then your price is 20,000 Yen per person etc.
*Private tours available
*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.
Takachiho and Aso tour background
About Takachiho
Kumamoto is the nearest city to Takachiho which is just over the border in Miyazaki Prefecture, the romantic Takachiho Gorge winds its way through the sleepy mountain town of Takachiho. The gorge was formed from the pyroclastic flow of the Aso volcanos, when sudden cooling led to the formation of dramatic columnar rocks and sheer cliffs that rise above the river between 80 to 100 m high. At the base the blue green Gokase river runs, and sightseers row at a leisurely pace past the stunning Manai waterfall that falls over the gorge edge. The gorge is renowned as one of the most uniquely, beautiful scenic spots in Kyushu and was designated a National Scenic and Natural Monument in 1934. Takachiho also has a deep connection with the mythology of Japan, it is connected with the legend of Amaterasu the sun goddess and said to be the birthplace of the first Emperor of Japan.
About Aso
First thing to know is the Aso area is big, the circumference of the caldera is over 100 km. Sights are scattered around four areas; the northern caldera rim, the northern caldera basin, Minami Aso (the southern caldera basin) and the central volcanic peaks including Nakadake – Mount Aso’s active volcano.
The Aso region is definitely one of the ‘must see’ sights if you are visiting Japan’s southern island of Kyushu. Mount Aso is the largest inhabited volcanic caldera in the world and Japan’s largest active volcanic region. (When a volcanic crater is more than 2 km wide it is called a caldera, the Aso caldera is 25 km wide.) In the center of the caldera a chain of volcanic mountains runs east to west. In the center of these mountains is the Nakadake Volcano, currently Mount Aso’s only active volcano. It is Japan’s second most active volcano and a very rare one as when conditions are safe you can go right up to the edge of the crater. The volcano has been worshipped as a powerful shinto deity for thousands of years. Inside the crater you may be able to see a beautiful steaming turquoise lake.
Aso is also Japan’s largest grassland area making a unique and very beautiful landscape which changes every season. Japan is generally a land of forested mountains so the mountain grasslands of Aso offer views rarely found in the rest of the country. The lush susuki grass provides grazing for horses and the local Akaushi beef cattle. The grasslands are burnt every February and by late spring the new growth is a lush, vibrant green. By summer the grass has grown tall, silver seed heads form in the autumn and then turn golden over the winter. The grasslands also reveal the rollling contours of ancient pyroclastic flows deposited by volcanic activity over hundreds of thousands of years.
If you are interested in learning more about the Aso area take a look at the Aso section in Places to visit
Travel in style
Transport by comfortable and spacious 7 seater Toyota Alphard
Book a Takachiho & Aso tour
If the date on the calendar is white it can be booked for any tour of your choice. Just click on the icon and fill in the contact form with your request.
If there is already a Takachiho & Aso tour running for the date you want, check the number of places available and then contact us to make a booking.
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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.
Why take this tour?
If you only have limited time in the Kumamoto area and want to see a lot this is the tour for you.
Takachiho gorge and Mount Aso are two of the top sightseeing spots in Kyushu, but getting around both by public transport is tricky, this tour takes you to both in one day. This is a small group tour which means, unlike a coach tour, there’s no need to rush, you can relax and enjoy both locations at your pace.
Time is planned in to the tour to go boating on the gorge. (This is an optional activity that needs pre-booking from 2 weeks in advance. Up to 3 people can share a boat. Your guide will be happy to row for you if you need help)
The Takachiho and Aso tour is a daytrip that really does give you the best of both worlds, packing in the highlights of both the Around Aso and More! Tour and the Takachiho tour.
Explore more by visiting Mt Aso and the Takachiho region as two separate tours
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