Kumamoto Castle is one of the three most famous castles in Japan, along with Osaka Castle and Nagoya Castle. It was built by Kiyomasa Kato, a subordinate of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and holds an important place in the hearts of Japanese people. It is also known as “Ginkgo Castle” because of the large ginkgo trees planted in the castle.
Mt. Aso Nakadake Crater is an active volcano and one of the few active volcanoes in the world that can be viewed at close range. It is located in the center of Mount Aso, the largest volcano group in Kyushu, and has a crater diameter of about 400 meters and a depth of 130 meters. The surrounding area of the crater is a spectacular scene of molten rock, and white smoke often rises from the crater. Visitors can reach the vicinity of the crater via the Aso Park road or cable car. Inside the caldera there is usually a strongly acidic pool with a temperature of about 50-60°C, which has a mysterious emerald green color.
【A Rich Cultural Experience】 Visit Kumamoto Castle and learn about its historical background and architectural style while experiencing the natural wonders of the Aso Caldera.
【Mythological and Cultural Discovery】 Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine is closely associated with Japanese mythology, and you can gain insight into the religious beliefs and cultural traditions of the area.
Kumamoto Castle (Entrance Fee Included)/ Josaien Garden Kumamoto Castle, together with Osaka Castle and Nagoya Castle, is one of the three most famous castles in Japan. It was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's general, Kato Kiyomasa, when he was the lord of Kumamoto Castle, and it has a very important place in the hearts of the Japanese people. When Kato Kiyomasa built the castle, he planted a large area of ginkgo trees, the fruits of which could be used as a war reserve, in consideration of the need for food supply in the city in case of a siege. For this reason, Kumamoto Castle is also called “Ginkgo Castle”. It is also famous for cherry blossom viewing (around the end of March and the beginning of April every year).
A new sightseeing spot of Kumamoto, “Sakura no baba Josaien,” was opened on March 5, 2011 in the area of Kumamoto Castle. Starting April 1, 2023, a 1,100 yen coupon will be available for dining or purchasing souvenirs at Josaien in the lower part of Kumamoto Castle. In addition to the historical and cultural experience facility “Wakuwakuza” and the gourmet commercial facility, a charming venue that recreates the castle towns of the Edo period and features 23 stores selected from Kumamoto Prefecture.
Mt. Aso Nakadake Crater
Mount Aso, the largest volcano in Kyushu, had a major eruption 90,000 years ago, completely changing the landscape and environment of the entire region. The area is surrounded by many natural hot springs and sacred places for sightseeing. Aso is an active volcano and one of the few that can be viewed at close range.
・Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the departure time. Please note that no refund will be made if you are late for the tour due to personal reasons. ・Because the tour bus is a group tour, please be sure to observe the meeting time at each meeting point to avoid delaying the departure and travel arrangements of other passengers. ・No refunds will be made if the tour is discontinued or abandoned due to personal reasons. ・This is a carpooling service and other passengers will be traveling with the tour, no parking is allowed outside the sightseeing spots. ・Please be aware that when the number of passengers is small, the tour will be operated by a small car with a driver and guide. ・Please wear light clothing and shoes. Please keep your personal valuables in a safe place and we will not be able to compensate you for any loss of valuables during the tour. ・In case of bad weather such as typhoon or natural disaster, the whole tour may be canceled temporarily and the guests will be notified by email and a full refund will be made. ・According to the traffic conditions on the day, the ending time may be delayed and other unforeseen circumstances, it is not recommended to arrange for the guests to join this trip if they take the airplane on that day, and we do not assume any responsibility for any delays in the flights of the guests.