Aso travel guide
Aso is located almost in the center of Kyushu and possesses the world’s largest
Caldera with 18km west-east and 24km north-south, created by 4 periods of explosive
volcanic activity in the ancient times.
The Caldela is surounding the Outer edge mountain with a circumference of around 120 km
In the Aso Caldera, there are Aso five mountains including Naka-dake mountain
which is an active volcano where the crater can be viewed from the top.
Daikanbo peak, on the nirthern part Outer edge mountain is the must place
to visit offering panoramic views of the magnificent scenery including the
Aso five mountains and the serene and beautiful green plains below.
Exploring Aso
 |
Aso five mountains is located in the Caldera where is 25 km across north to south and 18 km across east to west. Aso five mountains consists of 5 mountains ; Mt. Neko (1,433m) , Mt. Taka (1,592m) , Mt. Naka 1,506m) , Mt. Eboshi (1,337) , and Mt. Kishima (1,326m). Mt. Naka is the largest actice volcano in Japan. |
 |
The beautiful prairie of 785,000 square meter in the crater spreads in northern part of Mt. Eboshi that is one of the Aso five Mountains. A big pond at its center and grazing horses round about make an idyllic scene. Visitors can enjoy the various seasons from its vivid green summer to the fantastic silvery winter, as well as riding horses and strolling around throughout the year. |
 |
Daikanbo is located on the northern part of outer edge of the Aso Caldera. The perfect spot view the northern part of caldera and the Aso five five mountains. Daikanbo literally means a big observatory peak. The circumference of the Aso caldera is about 130 kilometers. From the observation site, you can clearly see its conical shape. Early in the morning, the clouds had spread out below us, and hung over the Caldera as if they were a large sea. |
 |
Aso Shrine is popular as a god protecting worshipers from traffic accidents, and exorcism, marriage, and learning. Aso shrine one of the oldest and most prominent shrines in Japan, and was built in 281 before accession of the 1st Emperor Jinmu. |
 |
The most popular hot spring resort in Aso region, located on the northern side of Mount Aso. Widely known for its open-air baths, it is one of the best places to enjoy the atmosphere of old town in Japan, where more than 20 Inns （Ryokan）and gift shops standing in a row along the Tanoharu River, a headstream of the Chikugo River. |
 |
Nabegataki Waterfall is a hidden tourist spot in Kumamoto prefecture, located just outside Oguni town in Aso region. One of the area’s more well-known waterfalls. Looking like a mini-Niagara. |
 |
Shirakawa suigen is the fountain to Shirakawa river that is one of the first class rivers of Japan. The quantity of water that spouts with the sand at the bottom of the pond is approximately 60 tons per minute. |
Tourist Tram / Minami Aso Rail Way
 |
The Minami Aso railway is a private railroad offering a very scenic ride from Takamori to Nakamatsu in the south east of the caldera. Lovely and magnificent scenery of Aso can be enjoyed. |
 |
Enjoy short trekking in the Nature. Kikuchi Valley is located in Aso Kuju National Park and underground water flows out of the subsoil for 4km along the valley floor. It is also called the Kikuchi water source and its water was selected as one of the 100 best waters in Japan. |
General information
| Address | City hall : 504-1 Miyaji, Ichinomiya, Aso-city, Kumamoto-prefecture |
| Access |
70 minutes by a vehicle from Kumamoto-city 70 minutes by a vehicle from Takachiho 140 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city |
| Population | 234,000 Population density 540 |
Aso
Home Tailor-made tours Study tours Christian Pilgrimage tours Golf tour Kyushu tour packages
Amakusa travel guide
Amakusa is situated on an archipelago consisting of several island on the
west side of Kumamoto. It possesses a beautiful lush green landscape and
natural geological formations giving the islands the designation “national
Geopark”. Marine activities such dolphin watching, boat tours, seafood &
local delicacies can be enjoyed. Amakusa also has an important historical
significance to Christians.
 |
 |
 |
Exploring Amakusa
 |
Amakusa Gokyo or Amakusa five bridges, is a general term for five bridges which connects from Misumi at the Udo peninsula to the Oyano island, the Nagaura island, Ikejima, Maejima, and Amakusa Kamishima, was built in 1966. The area on the National road route 266 called as the Pearl Line. |
 |
Connecting the islands of Amakusa with the inland of Kumamoto via the Uto Peninsula are Amakusa Gokyo or Amakusa Five Bridge. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Amakusa from the sea on a cruise. |
 |
The oldest Catholic Church in Amakusa and was one of the first churches built right after the ban on Christianity was lifted. The and Romanesque-style architecture and the chalky white structure was rebuilt in 1933 by a French missionary priest named Father Garnier using his own money. |
Sakitsu Village / UNESCO World Heritage
 |
A Gothic-looking church is located on a cove of a fishing village. In 1934, a French priest Augustin Halbout MEP purchased the premises of the former village headman and built a wooden and concrete finished church, with Tetsukawa Yosuke’s design and construction.
|
 |
The theme Museum shows History of Christianity in Amakusa and Shimabara Rebellion which was a peasant uprising against bakufu’s persecution of Christians under the leadership of Amakusa Shiro in 1637. |
 |
Built in 1602, one year after Terasawa Shimanokami hirotaka came to Amakusa. Although Amakusa ruled by proxy for Terasawa from Tomioka Castle, he revelled with his army in the Shimabara Rebellion in 1637. After the rebellion, Yamasaki Kainokami Ieharu ruled from the castle, and which was restored and enlarged to its present form. |
Featured sites
|
Sengan moutain Observatory
|
Ariake Octopus Street
|
Oppai Stone or breast stone
|
General information
Access
| by Airplane |
35 minutes from Fukuoka airport to Amakusa airport 25 minutes from Kumamoto airport to Amakusa airport |
| by Ferry |
45 minutes from Mogi port in Nagasaki to Takaoka port 30 minutes from Kuchinotsu port in Minami-Shimabara to Oniike port |
| bY JR | 40 minutes from Kumamoto Station to Misumi Station |
| by Car |
From Kumamoto-city 60 minutes to Misumi 70 minutes to Oyano 85 minutes to Matsushima 100 minutes to Ariake 125 minutes to Hondo 180 minuted to Shimoda Onsen 200 minutes to Oe |
Amakusa
Home Tailor-made tours Study tours Christian Pilgrimage tours Golf tour Kyushu tour packages
Kumamoto travel guide
Kumamoto is the 3rd largest city in Kyushu located almost in the center
of Kyushu, with Aso region on the east side and the Ariake Sea on the
west side. There is one of the Japan’s three great castles, Kumamoto Castle.
Shimotori shopping street is one of the largest shopping arcades in Japan
where you can enjoy shopping and local cuisines.
Exploring Kumamoto
 |
The Castle is one of the three great castles and one of the 100 best places in Japan to view cherry blossoms. Due to the Earthquakes in 2016, the Castle have heavy damages and many of Castle buildings were destroyed. After that the restoration activities are being performed as fast as possible.
|
 |
Josaien is located in Sakurano-baba, at the foot of Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s three major castles. It is a popular tourist attraction designed to enhance the appeal of the old castle town and convey to visitors the food, his tory and cultural traditions of the region from Kumamoto Castle, a symbol of the Kumamoto-city. |
 |
Imitated the beautiful scenery of Japan, is a refined circular garden of Momoyama period style and represents the 53 Stations of the Tokaido Road including Mt. Fuji. The fresh springs in the garden release clean, cold water, which flows there from Mount Aso via underground currents. |
 |
The largest shopping arcade in Kumamoto-prefecture. The center of fashion and amusement where department stores and boutiques line up and also there are gourmet area where cafes and restaurants including local cousin restaurants opened daytime and night time. |
 |
The convenient public transportation to travel in the Kumamoto-city. There are two lines ; A line and B line. Most of the stops on the A line and B line are the same. Popular stops that both lines go to include Suizenji-koen Park, Kumamoto Castle, Shimo-tori Shopping Street and the Kumamoto Kotsu Centre Bus Station. |
General information
| Address |
1-1 Tetorihoncho, Cyuo-ku, Kumamoto-city, Kumamoto-prefecture Cabinet designate city |
| Access |
1 hour and 40 minutes from Fukuoka-city by a vehicle 2 hours and 40 minutes from Kitakyushu-city by a vehicle |
| Transportation |
Airport Kumamoto Airport JR main station : Kumamoto Station City transportation |
| Population | 738,000 population density : 1,890 / km2 |
Kumamoto
Home Tailor-made tours Study tours Christian Pilgrimage tours Golf tour Kyushu tour packages
Hitoyoshi travel guide
Hitoyoshi is a castle town once prosperous as a river port, and boasts the ruins of the
Hitoyoshi castle and Hitoyoshi Onsen.
The Hitoyoshi Onsen is the collective name for 30-add hot springs including Sagara
Onsen, all of which are supplied with hot water from sources around Hitoyoshi Station
and in the basin of Kuma-gawa River.
The most exiting thing in Hitoyoshi is Kumasawa-kudari that is riding on a boat maneuvered
by a master polar down the Kuma-gawa River, one of the three fast streams in Japan.
Where to explore
Hitoyoshi Castle Ruins
 |
 |
 |
Steam Locomotive Hitoyoshi
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Aoi Aso Shrine
 |
 |
 |
Kyusendo Limestone Cave
 |
 |
 |
Japanese style accommodation, Ryokan
 |
 |
 |
General information
| Address | City hall : 16 Fumoto-machi, Hitoyoshi-city, Kumamoto-prefecture |
| Access |
80 minutes by a vehicle from Kumamoto-city 140 minutes by a vehicle from Takachiho 120 minutes by a vehicle from Aso 150 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city |
| Population | 33,000 Population density 155 |
Hitoyoshi
Home Tailor-made tours Study tours Christian Pilgrimage tours Golf tour Kyushu tour packages
Minamata travel guide
Minamata is located in Kumamoto Prefecture, It is on the west coast of Kyushu and faces
Amakusa islands. There are two Onsen resorts;
Yunotsuru Onsen located along the Yuide River in the mountains and called Mountain Onsen.
Yunoko Onsen faces Yatsushiro Sea and called Ocean Onsen.
| Yunotsuru Onsen | Ryokan | Ryokan |
 |
 |
 |
| Yuido River | Corridor of Ryokan | Outdoor bath |
 |
 |
 |
| Airinkan, local restaurant | Paddy field at mountain area | Paddy field at mountain area |
 |
 |
 |
| Yunoko Onsen | Yunoko Onsen | Yunoko Onsen |
 |
 |
 |
| Spanish Village, restaurant | Spanish Village | Spanish Village |
 |
 |
 |
General information
| Address | City hall : 1-1-1 Jinnai, Minamata-city, Kumamoto-prefecture |
| Access |
60 minutes by a vehicle from Hitoyoshi 1 hour and 40 minutes by a vehicle from Kumamoto-city 2 hours and 30 minutes by a vehicle from Takachiho 2 hours and 20 minutes by a vehicle from Aso 2 hours and 40 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city |
| Population | 24,000 Population density 150 |
Home Tailor-made tours Study tours Christian Pilgrimage tours Golf tour Kyushu tour packages
Kumamoto Castle after the Earthquakes as of Jan. 13, 2021
Five years have passed since the Earthquakes on April 14, 2016.
Now the restoration activities are being performed as fast as possible.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Your equiry can be sent by selecting the Enquiry Form link below.
You can also contact us by e-mail at info@japan-kyushu-tourist.com
And we would love to chat about your travel plans on the phone as well,
please ring our office a call in English Tel : +81-93-521-8897
HOME About us Our Services Terms and Conditions
Amakusa / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 2 days tour
Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region
has been registered on UNESCO World Heritage in 2018, Japanese Christianity has a long
history of continuing faith while coexisting with Japanese traditional religion Shinto and General
society.
Japan’s unique practice of the Christian faith continued even during the ban on Christianity.
Hidden Christian Site in Nagasaki, Shimabara and Amakusa Regions bear unique testimony
to the tradition of people and their communities who secretly transmitted their faith in
Christianity while surviving in the midst of the conventional society and its religions during
the time of prohibition.
Amakusa is the birthplace of Amakusa Shiro who was the leader of Shimabara Rebellion occurred
in Shimabara in 1637.
And there are two World Heritage sites in Amakusa ; Oe Cathedral and Sakitsu Village.
The tour introduces how Christians have been continued their faith since Christianity was
propagated to Japan, by visiting Hidden Christian sites in Amakusa in Kumamoto-prefecture.
Location of Amakusa
Tour conditions
The tour is the private tour exclusively for your group.
・Minimum number : 2 person
・Maxum number : 30 person
・Tour date : please specify the date
・Accommodations is selected as per your required grade, room conditions and budget
and the location is considered sightseeing, dinner and nightlife as well.
・English speaking tour attendant escorts your journey to produce a pleasant trip.
・Chartered vehicle is utilized as per number of person.
Day 1
Itinerary
8:00 Depart Fukuoka-city
Transfer to Amakusa via Kumamoto ( 3 hours )
Travel Amakusa Gokyo / Pearl line
Visit Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall
Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites : Oe Cathedral , Sakitsu Village
Stay at Amakusa
Where to explore
Amakusa Gokyo or Amakusa five bridges, is a general term for five bridges which connects
from Misumi at the Udo peninsula to the Oyano island, the Nagaura island, Ikejima, Maejima,
and Amakusa Kamishima, was built in 1966. The area on the National road route 266 called
as the Pearl Line.
|
First Bridge
|
Second Bridge
|
Fourth Bridge
|
The theme Museum shows History of Christianity in Amakusa and Shimabara Rebellion in
Harajo Castle Ruins which was a peasant uprising agaist bakufu’s persecution of Christians
under the leadership of Amakusa Shiro in 1637.
 |
 |
 |
The oldest Catholic Church in Amakusa and was one of the first churches built right after the
ban on Christianity was lifted. The and Romanesque-style architecture and the chalky white
structure was rebuilt in 1933 by a French missionary priest named Father Garnier using his
own money and contributions from local Christians living in the area.
 |
 |
 |
Sakitsu Village / UNESCO World Heritage
A Gothic-looking church is located on a cove of a fishing village. In 1934, a French priest
Augustin Halbout MEP purchased the premises of the former village headman and built a
wooden and concrete finished church, with Tetsukawa Yosuke’s design and construction.
He placed the altar at the very site where fumie or a test to ensure non-allegiance to
Christianity had been conducted.
 |
 |
 |
Day 2
Itinerary
Leave Hotel in Amakusa
Exploring Amakusa
Tomioka Castle Ruins , Matushima area
Transfer to Fukuoka-city
17:00 Arrive at Fukuoka-city
Where to explore
Tomioka Castle was built in 1602, one year after Terasawa Shimanokami hirotaka came to
Amakusa. Although Amakusa ruled by proxy for Terasawa from Tomioka Castle, he revelled
with his army in the Shimabara Rebellion in 1637. After the rebellion, Yamasaki Kainokami
Ieharu ruled from the castle, and which was restored and enlarged to its present form.
 |
 |
 |
Connecting the islands of Amakusa with the inland of Kumamoto via the Uto Peninsula are
Amakusa Gokyo or Amakusa Five Bridge. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Amakusa
from the sea on a cruise.
 |
 |
 |
Exploring featured sites
|
Sengan moutain Observatory
|
Ariage Octopus Street
|
Oppai Stone or breast stone
|
Your equiry can be sent by selecting the Enquiry Form link below.
You can also contact us by e-mail at info@japan-kyushu-tourist.com
And we would love to chat about your travel plans on the phone as well,
please ring our office a call in English. +81-93-521-8897
Tour results
We are offering various types of tours, and the tour results up to now are shown links below.
Tailor-made tour Study tour Golf tour