From Fukuoka: Mt. Aso & Minamiaso Railway and Kumamoto Castle Day Tour

Depart from Fukuoka and
explore Aso and Kumamoto in a day

This full-day tour departs by bus from near Hakata Station and visits the Minamiaso Railway, Mt. Aso and Kusasenri, and Kumamoto Castle. A live guide speaking Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean introduces each sight along the way. Round-trip bus transportation, highway tolls, and parking fees are included, so you don't need to arrange your own transport.

Ride the Minamiaso Railway along the foot of Mt. Aso

Board the Minamiaso Railway at Tateno Station and travel for about 40 minutes along the foot of Mt. Aso to Minami-Aso Shirakawa-Suigen Station. The train winds between mountains and farmland, with views of the Five Peaks of Aso, dense forests, open fields, and clear streams. It is not just a means of transport but a sightseeing train journey through the heart of Aso's nature.

See the volcanic landscape of Mt. Aso at Kusasenri

Spend about 1.5 hours taking photos and exploring the Kusasenri grassland on the northern slope of Mt. Aso. You can see the volcanic peaks and meadows reflected in seasonal ponds and horses grazing peacefully. Mt. Aso, with its world-class caldera, is a landmark of Aso-Kuju National Park.

If you wish, stop by the nearby Aso Volcano Museum to learn about how volcanoes form and the local ecosystem through VR experiences, live crater footage, and volcanic rock samples. Museum admission (adults ¥1,300, children ¥650) is paid separately on site.

Explore Kumamoto Castle, built by Kato Kiyomasa

Finally, visit Kumamoto Castle, counted among Japan's three great castles along with Osaka Castle and Nagoya Castle, and stay for a little over an hour. Built in 1607 by Kato Kiyomasa, the castle is famous for its steeply curved "Musha-gaeshi" stone walls designed to stop attackers from climbing. The main keep features exhibits on the castle's history and the local history of Kumamoto, and it reopened to the public after years of restoration following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.

Kumamoto Castle admission (high school students and older ¥800, elementary and junior high school students ¥300, preschoolers free) is not included and is paid separately on site. The tour ends at around 19:00.

※ The itinerary may change due to traffic or weather.
※ If access to the Mt. Aso crater is restricted due to volcanic activity, the itinerary may be adjusted.
※ Seasonal scenery such as the horses and ponds at Kusasenri or cherry blossoms varies by season and weather and is not guaranteed.