(Translated by Google) The scenery is certainly soothing You can admire it even while sightseeing. But what is it like to be forced to walk this far at a tourist spot? It's tough for the elderly, and it's like testing your mettle after dark...lol (Original) 景色は確かに癒されます 観光ながらも見とれてしまいます けれど観光スポットでここまで歩かされるってのはなんだかな？ 年寄りにはキツイし夕暮れ暗くなってからでは肝試しに等しい…w

(Translated by Google) Parking is free. There is a narrow road to get there. It was before noon on a weekday, but luckily there were no oncoming cars. There is a path to the lighthouse near the parking lot entrance. There are some parts along the way where you can die if you fall off a cliff. Although it was difficult, I took the opportunity to go to the lighthouse ahead. There was a gun battery and a bio-toilet, so it was fun. There was a QR code at the lighthouse and I was able to download a lighthouse card. I didn't see any wild boars. (Original) 駐車場は無料です。 到着までに狭い道があります。 平日の昼前でしたが、運良く対向車は来ませんでした。 駐車場入り口付近に灯台に進む道があります。 途中、崖で落ちたら死ぬような箇所があります。 大変ではありますがせっかくなので先の灯台まで行きました。 砲台があったり、バイオトイレがあったり、楽しかったです。 灯台にはQRコードがあり、灯台カードなるものをダウンロードできました。 イノシシは見ませんでした。

(Translated by Google) It is located at the tip of the Sadamisaki Peninsula, the westernmost point of Shikoku. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the Sadamisaki Lighthouse parking lot to the tip. There is a lot to see, so we recommend taking your time sightseeing. (Original) 四国最西端に位置する佐田岬半島の先端にあります。佐田岬灯台駐車場から先端までは徒歩約30分かかります。見所も多いので、ゆっくり観光されることをお薦めします。

(Translated by Google) I think comments will vary greatly depending on the person and whether they have physical strength or not. First, write down the people who should not go, and then write down the people who are okay to go. △People you should not go to first ・People who are not good at driving. In the first place, it's quite a distance from Yawatahama, and the road gets narrower along the way, so you'll get tired of driving. It feels further away than I thought. Please do not drive if you are unable to keep to the left when separating from an oncoming vehicle on a narrow road without a center line. It would be a nuisance if someone came running in the middle of the road as if it were normal. Always keep in mind that you are approaching an oncoming vehicle, so drive at a moderate speed and stay on the left side of the road. ・Elderly people and women who are not confident in their physical strength, and people with children of elementary school age or younger who are tired. It's hard to take them with you. ・People with heart or respiratory problems, people who get short of breath easily due to lack of exercise or have weak legs, people with even mild mental illnesses. It's not the place to go, especially in the hot summer months. Even if you suddenly get sick or have a setback and turn back, it is difficult to get back up once you get halfway down. There is no cell phone signal, so I don't know if I can get through to 119 right away. Please be careful about strong winds and encounters with wild boars. ・People who have strong spiritual senses or who are easily possessed It's scary because there are old military memorials. ◎People who are okay to go People who have no health, physical strength, or leg problems. It's as easy as the above is saying. It's a bit of a walk, but the views ahead are spectacular. I was moved by the history I saw when I saw the gun battery inside the cave. Please come and enjoy yourself. I think it's easiest when you can go with light clothing that's neither too hot nor too cold. (Original) 人によって、また体力があるか無いかによってコメントは大きく変わって来ると思います。 最初に行かない方がいい人を書いて次に行っても大丈夫な人を書いておきます。 △まず行かない方がいい人 ・車の運転が下手な人。 そもそも八幡浜からも結構距離があり途中から道路が狭くなってるので走ってても飽きて来ます。 思ったよりも遠く感じます。 中央線の無い狭い道路で対向車と離合する時にしっかり左に寄れない様な人は車で行かないで下さい。 当たり前の様に道の真ん中を走って来られたら迷惑です。 常に対向車が来る所だと思って速度控えめで左側端を舐める様な走り方を心掛けて下さい。 ・体力に自信の無い高齢者や女性、グズる様な小学生以下の子連れの方。 連れて行くと大変です。 ・心臓や呼吸器系の疾患のある方、運動不足ですぐ息が切れたり足腰が弱い方、軽度でも精神疾患のある方。 特に夏のクソ暑い時に行く所じゃありません。 急病になったり挫折して引き返すにも途中まで降りたら上がって来るのが大変です。 携帯電話の電波も入らないのですぐに119番通じるかどうか分かりません。 強風やイノシシとの遭遇にも気を付けて下さい。 ・霊感が強い人や取り憑かれやすい人 昔の軍隊の慰霊碑などがあるので怖いです。 ◎行っても大丈夫な人 健康面や体力、足腰に問題の無い人。 上記の様な事が何を言ってるんだってぐらい楽勝です。 ちょっと歩きますが、その先に見える景色は素晴らしい物があります。 私は洞窟の中にある砲台を見て歴史を感じ、感動しました。 しっかり楽しんで来て下さい。 暑くも寒くもない軽装で行ける時が1番楽だと思います。

(Translated by Google) From the parking lot Walk for about 15 to 20 minutes. Because the slope is steep, I'm more tired than I expected though The scenery is perfect. replica cannon Not only is the scenery nice It also added a heavy atmosphere♪ (Original) 駐車場から 徒歩で15から20分位徒歩で移動。 勾配がきついので、 思ったより疲れましたが 景色は申し分なし。 レプリカの大砲は 景色がいいだけでない 重い雰囲気も加味してくれていました♪

(Translated by Google) I was able to visit Cape Sada, the westernmost point of Shikoku, which was my dream. From the parking lot, walk along a path with ups and downs about 1.8 km one way, and you'll be impressed by the Sadamisaki Lighthouse. It is a little more difficult for elderly people. It takes about an hour to go round trip, but I definitely recommend watching strong winds or wild boars. We recommend that you visit without being discouraged by the possibility of encountering someone! (Original) 念願の四国最西端の地、佐田岬を訪問することが出来ました。駐車場から片道約1.8kmのアップダウンのある小道を行った先に佐田岬灯台があり感動します。お年寄りの方には少し難易度が高いです。往復で小1時間かかりますが、是非、強風やイノシシ？との遭遇する可能性にもめげずに訪問することをオススメします！

(Translated by Google) It is the westernmost tip of Shikoku. It takes a considerable amount of time to drive west from around Ozu. As you head towards the parking lot at Cape Sada, there are places where the road becomes narrower, but it is not as narrow as Shikoku Karst. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the lighthouse. Although the sidewalks are well-maintained, I think it's best to wear comfortable shoes. On clear days, you can see Kyushu from the lighthouse. I wasn't able to book a ferry during Golden Week, but I think it would be interesting to take the ferry from Saga to Misaki Port in Shikoku and then head to Cape Sada. (Original) 四国最西端との事です。 大洲あたりから西に向かって走りますが、相当な時間がかかります。 佐田岬の駐車場に向かうにつれて、道が細くなる場所も出てきますが、四国カルストほどではないです。 駐車場から灯台までは徒歩で20分程度かかります。歩道は整備されているものの、歩きやすい靴で行くのがいいのではないかと思います。晴れている日は灯台から九州を目視することができます。 ゴールデンウィーク中でフェリーの予約ができませんでしたが、佐賀からフェリーで四国の三崎港に渡った上で、佐田岬を目指すのも面白いのではないかと思います。

An amazing castle and great things to see inside, also the views from the top are awesome

Kitsuki Castle in Oita, Japan is a historical landmark that is famous for its unique and well-preserved architecture. The castle is known for being one of the smallest castles in Japan, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty and charm.Kitsuki Castle was originally constructed in 1394 on a hill overlooking the city, as a fortress to defend local clans. It is said that the castle was built in such a way that it was almost impossible to conquer, with multiple layers of defense that made it a formidable obstacle. The castle is shaped like an octagon and has two layers of walls. The outer wall has 12 watchtowers and the inner wall, which encircles the castle keep, has eight watchtowers. This design provided a great view of the surrounding landscape, allowing those inside the castle to predict enemy movements and prepare for defense, as well as catch any intruders trying to get close. Inside, the castle features traditional Japanese architecture that is both functional and aesthetic. The castle was designed to allow easy access for visitors and provided space to host meetings and other events. The interior is also beautifully decorated with paintings and calligraphy. One unique feature of this castle is its preserved samurai residences located outside the castle walls. These were the homes of samurai warriors who served the lords of the castle and are now a designated National Cultural Asset. Today, Kitsuki Castle is open to the public as a museum where visitors can experience the atmosphere of a historical castle while enjoying stunning views of the city and sea. It is a great place to visit for anyone interested in the rich history and culture of Japan.

It is a small castle that look very similar to the Osaka Castle. There is steep slope with about 150 steps of stairs to climb before reaching the peak to the castle. There is a famous restaurant known as Wakaeya near to the castle. Highly recommended to visit Wakaeya which is 320 years old and the owner is currently the 16th generation owner of the shop. The fish is special and delicious.

My husband is an avid bird watcher and had pinned an area nearby as a bird hotspot, so I searched for things to do nearby and I’m glad we found the castle. The area around it looks like it’s full of beautiful flowers Ilan day cherry blossoms in the spring, but we visited on a dreary, rainy winter day. The exhibit inside was interesting to see with several samurai suits and some swords as well. The second floor had uniforms from more recent (20th century) wars. None of the exhibits had signs in English, but they handed us a brochure when we entered that gave an overview and some information. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves. We did not buy the combo ticket as we didn’t anticipate that we’d see all the samurai residences today as neither of us felt like taking long walks in the rain.

Open from 9.am to 5.pm Originally built in 1394, Kitsuki Castle was lost during the Meiji Period (1868-1912). The present three tiered main keep was reconstructed in 1970. Its said to be the smallest castle in Japan. Standing on top of a plateau by the sea, it offers nice views overlooking the Seto Island sea. I go this place by bus, catch a bus from beppu to kitsuki it take 1 hour.

Small but mighty. The samurai houses up the street were really cool, too.

Beautiful building (on the outside) and scenery and you learn some historical information about the area, however, everything is in Japanese for the most part. Walking around in a kimono is fun and you get in attractions for free.

Amazing safari experience! We usually steer clear of such attractions, but here the animals looked relaxed and well-kept. Driving the full route in our own car was more than enough, so the feeding bus felt unnecessary (we even got a refund). Our kids (10 and 8 yo) loved it.

It was my first time visiting an open-concept zoo like this, and I truly enjoyed it! The safari is very spacious, and the animals look so much more at ease in the wide, open areas. Highly recommend joining the Jungle Bus feeding experience, you get to see the animals up close!

Wow wow wow! You can get really up close to the animals while being in the comfort of your car and at your own pace. Animals are well taken care of and there is ample space for them. Such an environment is more natural than being in zoos. Saw a lot of animals with their cubs and calves. 🥰 We spent about 2 hours including the safari and a smaller section where you can feed miniature horses, kangaroos and pet guinea pigs. This place closes at 4pm so I would suggest arriving before 2pm.

Very exciting, went with my kid. Advice is to arrive early to lineup for the official jungle bus. I arrive at 9 and got the jungle bus spot at noon. It’s a very unique experience.

Amazing experience and highly recommended! You can either take the park's Safari bus, or drive your own car into the enclosures and see the animals up close. There are lions, bears, giraffes and many other kinds of animals. The Safari bus is very popular, so you will need to arrive early to get a seat. You can get to feed the animals on the safari bus. Otherwise, just drive through in your own vehicle, which is just as fun and you can move along at your own pace. A must to visit for all visitors to Fukuoka/Beppu/Kyushu!

As part of our Day Tour trip, we arrived at the Wildlife Park in a Tour Bus. It was a exciting experience driving-through the park in our Bus allowing us to move around in the Bus seeing and taking photos of the animals. A stop-over at the Park’s interactive zone with rabbits and hamster added to the fun of the trip.

Park opens at 9am. Queue outside the park with cars starts earlier. Self-drive starts at 9:30am. Drive up close to the animals present. Saw the giraffe, elephant, lion, tiger, cheetah, zebra, deer, etc. After the drive, do consider heading to the miniature horses (which you can feed by buying carrots for a fee using tongs), the cat saloon (entry for adults 500 yen, children below 4 free) or the dog saloon (entry 500 yen, children below 4 not allowed).

The colour is very pretty! Has a large selection on their omiyage (gifts). I recommend going to this place. You get to see water lily garden, and the red hell. There's also greenhouse, but it's just very small section.

A short bus ride (20 mins, bus 41) from Beppu Station is Umi Jigoku hot springs. Too hot to swim and they describe it as “hell” as resembling what hell might be like. Lots of tourists and a good gift shop. Walk up to the Shrine and enjoy the green environment and ponds with water lillies.

Only this onsen is worth visiting in Beppu. The blue colour and steaming is stunning m. The place is well maintained and has a nice walking path around the pond. Honestly, the other hells are quite similar and not really worth the time, just go visit this one is enough.

One of our main itinerary points for this Japan-trip. Fascinating to see from our hotel balcony; awesome to see up close. A place I could gladly sit for hours and just soak up the scenery (sight, sound, smell). My only gripe is that there isn't any information (colour, temperature, minerals, ph-level, etc). But then again, there isn't one in Japanese either. Arrive early, beat the crowds. Free parking. Don't forget the red hell, which is also in this compound.

Of the three jigoku that we saw this was my favourite. Two beautiful springs to view but more importantly the hot foot bath, which fixed my very sore feet. We paid at each venue, as three was enough for us. If you are only doing one this might be the best. No lines, went straight in.

If on a time crunch in Beppu and need to choose between “Hells” to visit, I suggest this one. It has the largest Tiffany blue pool of the ones we visited. Has a stall selling small steamed cakes and a cafe on site serving light bites including the popular steamed pudding. In hindsight, would’ve sat down to have the steamed pudding here as the area is much wider with more seating thus tourists are spread further apart as compared to Kamado Jigoku. Beautiful pool and a nice foot bath with many available spaces to sit. Small towels are on sale in the gift shop on site for 300¥.

During our Fukuoka tour with Gogoday Travel, we visited Umi Jigoku as a backup stop and it turned out to be a wonderful surprise. The site is beautifully serene, featuring soothing blue hot springs that create a peaceful atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed the tranquil foot bath, which was both relaxing and refreshing after a day of sightseeing. The area is well maintained and offers great photo opportunities. Helen, our guide, provided insightful information about the site, adding to the overall experience. Umi Jigoku is highly recommended as a calm and unique destination worth visiting.

It was a fascinating experience to explore various types of onsen all located within a nearby area. Each hot spring showcased unique characteristics—from mineral composition and water temperature to design and ambiance. Although the site is designated for observation and not for commercial use, it offers a rare opportunity to study and appreciate the natural and cultural richness of Japan’s onsen tradition. I was especially excited to learn about the geological factors that influence the formation of these hot springs and their reputed health benefits. This visit deepened my appreciation for the science and heritage behind Japan’s bathing culture. The parking was free of cost.

There are 7 hells in total - 5 clustered together and 2 a bit farther away. Each has its own unique character and a separate entrance. At the main hell you can either buy a ticket for all 7, a ticket for the 5 adjacent ones, or pay individually. We chose the third option. After nearly an hour at the first/main hell, the kids picked the alligator hell next. Visiting 2 hells felt more than enough for us 🤷‍♂️.

Pretty incredible and fascinating place! You can explore all 7 on a day, just need to take the bus between 2 sites. The combined ticket is good value if you can do all 7. The information desk has very friendly and helpful staff, good English too. One star less because of the conditions of the crocodiles and fishes... We enjoyed all the jigoku, had fun collecting stamps!

This was a total unexpected and super nice experience in Beppu. We did a road trip thru Kyushu and had a brief stop in Beppu and visit the seven hills, very nice and interesting place. If have time it’s interesting to visit

It was a wonderfull experience, visited 5 hells but couldn't manage to go to other two as these were far away. Package for all seven hells consted me 2200 yen from Beppu Station Tourist Information. Out of these five hells the first and fourth hells were so fascinating showcasung beautiful water and huge crocodiles. Only problem was heavy traffic from Beppu Station to the place and vice versa.

I was only able to visit Umi Jigoku since I had limited time. There were a lot of people but the place was big as to no overcrowding. I liked the onsens with steam, it was very different and enjoyable at the same time.

If coming in on a cruise get tickets at the port tourist information. If you are already there go to the left side of the main entrance and purchase tickets for all of the springs, which basically skips the long queue. The springs are worth checking out at least once.

I visited on the 8/11/24 and not much autumn foliage to be seen. Apparently the autumn foliage in Japan was delayed in 2024 by roughly a month. That being said I would suggest visiting from at least the 3rd week of November to see the autumn foliage. Other than the autumn foliage it's still a lovely place with tourist shops and a nice walk or two near the river.

Visited on November 11, 2023. Not sure if the autumn colors had not arrived or were gone, there was not much autumn to see though the small shops alongside the road are quite lovely.

I think it’s beautiful place in Autumn 🍂. I went there on spring on that time it’s only pretty geen. If you plan to travel there it’s better on September or October.

Beautiful, especially middle of november. Quite a lot of tourists, try to arrive early. We ate boar soup (shishi nabe) and deer on a stick (shika kushi). Lovely photo spot. Get in and out before 11.30am if you can.

It was alright if you’re passing by you can stop but nothing amazing in my opinion

Beautiful site of autumn leaves.

A good but tiny place to see the rocks. Park at the public one and walk for 10 minutes

Lively station with good public facilities.

Nice rooftop garden, but the rooftop-railway is closed at 4 pm (today). The stuff already made everything ready to leave at 3:50 pm :/ There is no english information available and the stuff at the rooftop also can't speak english. Nevertheless the views from the rooftop are pretty nice and the garden is beautiful.

Convenient. Connected to other prefectures in Kyushu. Connected to Amu Plaza, Blossom Hotel, Cinema and brand shops.

This is the first time for me to went to a japanese station. Its so big and there are also a mall inside the station. Wew

This area combines the AMU Plaza Shopping Mall, Oita Station and a whole bunch of retail shops,restaurants, eateries, groceries, and more. There’s so much to do here; you can easily spend hours just walking around. Don’t forget to check out the rooftop views!

Everything you wish to see is already here. A complete fun

Good blend of clothing and accessories stores. A branch of Jupiter Tokyo on the first floor has a range of imported foods.

Beautiful autumn colours! Nice place to walk. There are lots of cafes and food joints at the nearby Yufuin Floral village and the surroundings. Very popular place.

Stay a night if you are aiming for that picturesque morning mist shot. I highly recommend going around the lake, not only to enjoy the clear waters and the koi fishes swimming near the surface. You can get various angles of the lake, and also get away from the throngs of people. I "caught" a visitor resting on a ledge above the small stream next to 下ん湯。 The crowd dissipates as I was halfway across the lake and I bumped into less than 5 people upon visiting Tenso Shrine and the public toilet that the signs around the lake directed you to. Yes, so if your aim was to find the public toilet from the signs, just walk in from the right side.

This is the main tourist attraction in the area. It’s about a 20min walk from the station straight towards the mountains then a right turn. Some of the cool cafes around the lake are not open on certain days so be careful. It is surprisingly much smaller than expected. There are fish and a small shrine but heavily crowded by tourists groups and visitors. There are tons of shops and food stands along the way. Most of which seem like tourist traps. we tried a couple food stalls and the food was subpar to the pictures on their marketing. Overall it’s fine but nothing amazing since. We had a much better time at our osen 👌

Great location for a picturesque shot. Can be crowded at times, but circling around the lake to the shrine may allow for a quieter escapade. If you manage to stay in Yufuin over the night, there's opportunities to visit as well, and it is absolutely tranquil then.

Lake Kinrin is in the pretty town of Yufuin with Mount Yufu as a stunning backdrop. We were there on Japan’s National Kimono Day & hired Kimono from Felice, run by a very friendly & welcome lady. She kitted us out & dressed us in traditional costumes of our choice, including hair adornment & footwear. It cost ¥6000 for the day.

Cozy little lake with great views and cafes nearby. Very lovely to walk around, admire the views, sketch and look at the herons and cormorants fish.

It’s fine - it’s a lake with a few interesting Japanese buildings nearby. A Tori gate in the water. It’d be adorable if 1000s of tourists don’t descend on this place like locusts. It’s very sad. They swarm the area, walking all over the grass and damaging everything off path. They’re all hogging the fences between the water and the path, trying to get that Instagram post with water birds in the background. Don’t come to the city just for this. You’ll be disappointed.

(Translated by Google) There are some ups and downs, so we recommend wearing shoes that you can walk in. You can see historical cultural assets right in front of your eyes. (Original) 昇り降りがあるので、歩ける靴がオススメです。 歴史ある文化財を目の前で観ることが出来ます。

(Translated by Google) Very convenient as you can go to Oita Station in one go However, please note that there are only about 4 to 5 bottles per day. You can also go to Usuki Station. (Original) 大分駅まで一気に行けてかなり便利 ただ本数が1日に4〜5本程度しかないので注意 臼杵駅にも行けます

(Translated by Google) Usuki. (Original) うすき。

(Translated by Google) This was my first time visiting. As I walked along, accompanied by the sound of the quietly flowing water, I was greeted by a magnificent group of stone Buddha statues. At first, I imagined them scattered across a field, but they were all neatly organized and maintained. It was a wonderful way to escape from everyday life and soothe my soul. (Original) 初めてお伺いさせていただきました。静かに流れる水のせせらぎ音と共に歩み進むと、圧巻の石仏群様たちにお目にかかれます。最初のイメージでは、野原に散在してるのだろうと思っていましたが、綺麗に整理、管理されていました。日常を離れ、心を癒していただきました。。

Historical place

(Translated by Google) 2025.5.3 It's good just to see Kangien, but if you have time, I recommend listening to Mr. Eguchi's explanation here😃 He teaches us a lot of things in an easy-to-understand and humorous way. There were many lessons that are relevant to the present day, and I was able to make a good souvenir of learning. The handmade materials are also very interesting. It usually takes about 10 minutes, but I will explain it in detail to anyone who is interested! The 2nd grade elementary school child of the family who was listening to the explanation was also listening intently ^ ^ Admission is free. The explanation is of course free. The autumn leaves in the garden (fresh greenery since it was May) were very beautiful. (Original) 2025.5.3 咸宜園を見るだけでも良いですが、お時間ある方はこちらにいらっしゃる江口さんという方の説明を聞くことをオススメします😃 わかりやすくユーモアたっぷりにたくさんのことを教えてくださいます。 現在に繋がる教えがたくさんあって良い学びのお土産が出来ました。手作り資料も味わい深い。 基本10分くらいですが、興味のある人には細やかに説明してくださいます！ 一緒に説明を聞いていたご家族の小学2年生のお子さんも熱心に聞いていました^ ^ 入場無料です。説明ももちろん無料。 お庭の紅葉(5月だったので新緑が)とてもきれいでした。

(Translated by Google) I just happened to visit. So I didn't know much about it. I like old buildings, so I was satisfied even without knowing anything. ⇽That's why I'm giving it 5 stars. However, it may be difficult to find a parking lot. It's safer to look it up, and I'll write about it in this review, so I hope it will be helpful. ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ From the Hita City website ↓↓↓ "Kan'i-en" is the largest private school in Japan, opened in Hita, Bungo by Confucian scholar Hirose Tanso, who was born in the late Edo period, and was designated a national historic site on July 23, 1932. >>>It's an old school. ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ *It seems that the parking lot is part of a parking lot a little to the side from the hospital in front. I also think you can use the free parking lot in Mamedacho. ----------------------------- I couldn't post all the photos and videos because there were so many of them, so I've posted them separately (besides the review). (Original) 何となく訪れました。なのでよく知りませんでした。古い建物が好きなので何も知らなくても満足出来ました。⇽これが理由で星5です 。 ただ、駐車場を見つけるのが難しいかもしれません。調べてくる方が安心しますし、このクチコミにも書いておきますのでご参考になれば幸いです。 ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ 日田市サイトより↓↓↓ 「咸宜園」は、江戸時代後期に生まれた儒学者・廣瀬淡窓が豊後・日田に開いた日本最大規模の私塾（学校）で、昭和7年7 月23 日に国史跡に指定されています。 >>>>昔の学校ということです。 ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ *駐車場は表の病院から少し横にずれたところにある駐車場の一部を貸し出してもらっているようです。 また、豆田町の無料駐車場も利用可能だと思います。 ----------------------------- 写真動画など大量にあり載せれませんでしたので、(クチコミ以外)別で上げています。

(Translated by Google) "Xianyi" means "all things are suitable." I think this name is very appropriate. Admission is free, and you can tell they've taken great care of the environment. I definitely wouldn't give it a low rating. (Original) 「咸宜」是「全部都適合(好)」的意思。取這個名字，我覺得很咸宜。 免費參觀，看得出這裡的環境維護用了心力。 我絕對不會給予低評價。

(Translated by Google) I went there because I could see the AR version of Attack on Titan, but I also learned about the history of the private school that Professor Hirose Tanso opened and how it was passed down to his many disciples. The museum is free. Amazing✨ (Original) きっかけは進撃の巨人のARが見れるので行ってみたけれど、広瀬淡窓先生が開いた私塾によって沢山の弟子達に受け継がれていった歴史を学べます。資料館は無料です。素晴らしい✨

(Translated by Google) Hirose Tanso's private school. Since samurai mainly studied at domain schools, this school was unique in that it was attended by many others, particularly monks and their disciples. My great-grandfather (a priest at a temple) also studied here. (Original) 広瀬淡窓の私塾。 主に士族は藩校で勉強なので、こちらはそれ以外、特に僧侶の師弟が多く通っていたのが特徴的。 自分の高祖父(寺)もこちらで勉強していた。

(Translated by Google) It is said to be the remains of a private school from the Edo period. You can tour for free. I'm not impressed by this, but it seems like they taught based on merit, regardless of social status or wealth, which I thought was a wonderful policy. (Original) 江戸時代の私塾の跡だそうです。無料で見学出来ます。これと言って感動などは無いですが、身分や富などは関係なく実力主義で教育をしたそうで、素晴らしいポリシーだと感じました。

Here, visitors can tour the Sapporo Beer Hita factory and sample the beer being made. I recommend the limited-time-only beers available in the tasting room, which are very tasty and I encourage everyone to try them:) Make no mistake, drivers should not be inoculated with alcohol... Drink only at the hotel or back home ✌

The tour had limited english and there isn't actually that much to see. In saying that, it was still interesting, and includes a glass of beer. You also get to keep a souvenir glass to take home. If you are going past anyway, worth a visit.

nice brewery exhition tour but have to pay fee for tasting

Free self guided tour that is bi-lingual Japanese and English. Helpful staff. Fun to see beer factory in a very lovely city.

As per this google information (opening 10am~5pm) I arrived here around 4pm, and they said beer testing closed already. However last year I joined testing 4:30pm, Until what time is possible for testing? please let us know the exact time on this site. As you know, this is not easy way upto there even from abroad like me.

It's a nice place to enjoy a glass of Sapporo beer. I had a peaceful and pleasant time there.

fun. Sapporo factory. free tour. beer is 400yen. 2 floor

Visited in late June 2025. Easy to find and big free parking. Need to buy tickets to cross bridge. 500yen per person. I didn’t want to go cross the bridge so I didn’t buy the tickets. I could only provide the car park and the shop there for your information.

Plenty of parking available with staff guiding you for efficiency. The bridge itself is narrow and if you’re a bit afraid of heights, the bridge does a slight sway near the ends of the bridge but you will be fine! The views were amazing I definitely recommend checking it out. There’s no real need to go all the way over as there’s nothing really on the other side. Before crossing the bridge, if you time it right, there should be a staff member who will take a photo for you and they will give a version for free and a clearer larger photo for a price.

Came on Sunday and it was raining. The tickets cost 5k yen each. Don a plastic over self and we braved that light rain and walked on the bridge. U can feel the suspension swing on the bridge. Beautiful scenery

If you are looking for a mix of adventure and breathtaking scenery, Kokonoe Suspension Bridge in Oita Prefecture is one for the books. It is indeed an incredible feat of engineering and yes, a popular destination for both local and foreign tourists. The bridge offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape—lush greenery during the spring and summer seasons and vibrant hues during the fall. I went there three times already, but the view never gets old. Crossing the bridge can be a challenge for those who are afraid of heights and can also be a bit daunting during the windy days when it swings. Nevertheless, it’s a worthwhile visit for nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. And yes... the burgers... I went there for the burgers, too. Don't forget to try one when you go there.

Very impressive pedestrian suspension bridge with fantastic views of the gorge & waterfalls. It is the highest of its kind in Japan. There are steps down to the waterfalls for a closer view and Onsen water foot baths at one end of the bridge. Overall a must-see if you’re in the area.

The view from this bridge is gorgeous. We visited this bridge with light rain but that's okay. The place is well-operated and taken good care of. The ticket is 500 yen per person. There're also toilets and souvenir shop. We recommended the local fruit gummy and drinking yoghurt from Yamanami Farm.

It's a calm and clean place that is famous for a picnic with family and friends. You can even see the snowy mountains at April.

A Serene Weekend Escape Nestled in the peaceful countryside, Nabegataki Falls offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. I visited on a weekend, making the almost two-hour drive from Kumamoto City—a journey that, though a little long, felt like part of the adventure itself. The winding roads and scenic views along the way gradually melted away any lingering stress, setting the tone for what was to come. Upon arriving, I was immediately taken in by the sense of calm that surrounded the falls. The sound of cascading water mixed gently with the occasional laughter of visitors, both locals and tourists alike, creating a soft, joyful background without overwhelming the tranquility. Despite being a weekend, it wasn't crowded, allowing plenty of quiet moments to just sit, breathe, and soak in the beauty. The falls themselves are magical—you can even walk behind the curtain of water, feeling the cool mist on your skin. It’s an incredibly refreshing experience, almost like stepping into a hidden world. And with an entrance fee of just ¥300, it’s an accessible gem for anyone seeking a peaceful retreat into nature. If you're looking for a spot to unwind and reconnect with nature in Kumamoto Prefecture, Nabegataki Falls is well worth the drive.

Stunning location, apart from a steep decent the entire adventure is well paved and walking sticks are available at the entrance. You can descend into the waterfall area, the scenery is stunning and so picturesque. You can walk behind the waterfall but you may get dropped on. You can paddle your feet in the water at the base of the waterfall or I. The stream that follows. So many hidden beauty spots, even just up the path from the waterfall is a gentle stream with dragonflies dancing above. Well worth a visit and as 2 adults and one child we only paid ¥1200 which is £6. Little shop at the entrance and vending machines offer a choice of refreshments

One of the rare waterfall that you can walk behind the waterfall. A UNESCO site. Highly recommended to visit

Really cool waterfall and easy hike (more like a walk). Plenty of parking spaces, but the road to the area is verrrrry narrow in some sections.

Amazing waterfall. When we visited it was during the week so it wasn't too busy and we could get some good photos. The walk down is not difficult but has many stairs. It takes only about 5 mins to reach the falls from the car park. I would highly recommend visiting!

It’s closing to the Aso area, you could reach it easily when you were driving around Aso. The park is closed after 4:30pm, no highway is nearby, please make sure you have enough time to go if you decide to go after lunch. Quite a lot of visitors even weekdays, the parking was full while we were arrived at 4:00pm. The waterfall was amazing, clean and beautiful. The best time to come at morning during sunny day, you might catch the wonderful light through the trees.

Easy hike down. This waterfall is a must visit, you can trek behind the falls. Follow me on ig @shauneeie for more travel and food!

It is a medium size park planted with many different species of flowers. The entrance fee is ¥1300 each person, and there is no public transport to the park. It is a good place to visit if the weather is nice and the season is correct.

Visited Kuju Flower Park twice—once in early spring and again in late spring—and each time felt like stepping into a different dream. Early spring greets you with vibrant tulips, while late spring unveils a sea of nemophila and other seasonal blossoms. The scenery? Timeless. With free parking and an admission fee of ¥1,300 for adults and ¥500 for children aged 5 and up, it’s an accessible escape into nature’s artistry. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning, the ever-changing floral displays ensure a unique experience every time.

Absolutely stunning! Visited here with a friend at the start of June and the flowers were so vibrant, colourful and diverse! The sea of baby blue eyes, the garden of roses... so stunning! I loved the naming of the flowers too - would love to see some little facts about certain flowers. Eateries and cafes inside, camping available - this is definitely somewhere you could take your time in to enjoy the flowers. The lavender field wasn't in bloom when we visited so will definitely return to see it when they are!

Absolutely enchanting! This flower park is a hidden gem for anyone seeking a serene escape. The seasonal flowers paint a vibrant tapestry throughout the year, making every visit a unique experience. The free parking is convenient, allowing easy access to the park's tranquil pathways. It's perfect for picnics with family and friends, offering ample space to unwind and enjoy nature. Whether you're looking to relax amidst blooming gardens or capture stunning photos, this park exceeds expectations. A must-visit for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat!

This park is the most colorful flower park I've been to! At end April, we saw the colorful hill, poppies, a bit of nemophilia! Been seeing the vibrant fields of kuju on Instagram and have always wanted to go - ✨ you can't beat the flowers on a highlands backdrop. It's a treat to the eyes. 🩷🪻🌺🌻🌱🌸🏵️🪻🌷

10.5.25 Saturday. Weekend and Holiday were crowded, especially flower blooming period.

Visited in June which certainly isn't the best time but it was still wonderful. Well maintained with different themes. Totally enjoy our time there.

Look it not the biggest water fall in the world. But it is a nice little walk around in some fresh air

This is a must visit waterfall. It is one of the best waterfalls I have visited in Japan. The waterfall is big and tall.

This waterfall also call as little nayagara

Not enough promotion to tourist. It is a great water fall

must visit this place, pure gem

highly recommending

beautiful nature

The scenic view is amazing, and the waterfall is beautiful! They have a cool bridge and you can walk across the waterfall. There's also access to see it from the lower river.

It's free, it's big, it's a sight. Unfortunately at the time I visited (July 7th, a week after the rainy season ended in 2025) it is less active and the flow was not so fierce. The location is actually also rather out of the way, so unless this is on the way to your next destination, I wouldn't recommend going out of your way for it. If it is on the way, then this is an easy recommendation. It's next to a very clean and neat roadside station with toilet facilities so it's really good.

Baby Niagara Falls of Japan with its own charm. Easily accessible and can reach the bottom of the Falls for beautiful photos.

Worth the visit. Prolly spend about 1-2 hours exploring the area

The waterfall view is so beautiful. It's totally free.

A very beautiful waterfall formed from the eruption of Mt Aso iabout 100,000 years ago . It has a drop of around 20 m and width about 120 m . It also carried a nickname “ miniature Niagara Falls of Japan ‘“ due to its horseshoe shape . There’s a suspension bridge near by where you can watch the full view of the waterfall. There’s restaurant supplying good food near by and from the restaurant, there’s a path leading to the basin of the waterfall. Very easy assessable by car . A very magnificent place to spend a few hours .

Nice place, have a lot car park, quiet and pure nature

It was very nice there. Lovely place thanks to the tourist information at the Taketa station recommended is here

(castles visited: 60+) One of the best castle ruins I have visited. (I drove). The parking was easy to find. Easy to understand map and information (you would be surprised how many castles locations have next to no or terrible information, maps, and impossible to find parking). This castle was up in the sky. I felt a millions miles high. You couldn't hear the highway below or the city. But see Aso-san 100km away. I could have spent all day up there. It is just castle ruins, mostly foundation, but it's still mind boggling how they haul this stuff up and build on these mile high sheer cliffs. Getting even a few feet to the edge triggered my very mild fear of heights. This was a really amazing complex back on it's prime. I just couldn't imagine what it would have been like back in Edo.

Visited in spring and had a wonderful time! The ruins are nestled atop a hill, with spectacular views of the surrounding area. It’s such a peaceful and relaxing spot.

A gorgeous castle ruin woth view all around if you near by during april 1st they have a amazing festival

Interesting place if you have time to spare. Huge area where you can see nature(trees) and human (structure) are fighting.

Probably the best castle ruins in Japan. Not just the view but the grounds, how they are laid out and how they are left in a wonderfully ruined state. I could feel how this inspired one of the most famous Japanese songs, by composer Taki Rentaro whose house you can visit in neighboring Taketa which is a nice example of a small Japanese town. The grounds will take time to walk, at least an hour. There's no gate so go before or after opening hours to avoid the fee. The parking lot also stays open.

This place was so amazing. The ruins are beautiful, and the free app you can download is perfect for discovering the history of the ruins. The staff was really nice and tried to talk to us even though we didn't speak very good Japanese. I lost my glasses there and they sent them back to my place in Tokyo when I asked them to! I'll remember those castle ruins for a long time.

Beautiful place and you can take time to just pause and breathe in the fresh air. There paragliding too.

Very windy here, great view though! Can’t believe volcano eruption is so powerful you can see the whole bowl shaped leveling caused by it

Most magnificent view in Kumamoto prefecture. I visited lots of national parks all over the world but this view is definitely comparable to them. If you come here in the early morning, you can enjoy a different atmosphere which I also liked.

The view from there and the driving way was just amazing! Super windy so prepare a but warmer clothes Parking was free It seemed some (or entire) area closes at 17:00

Beautiful natural scene . Highly recommend

Went for a stop on the way from Beppu to Kumamoto. Crowded during the weekends. Beautiful scenery on clear, sunny days. Must try the soft cream inside the store.

Worlds’ second largest caldera which was emerged due to the eruption of mount Aso (Volcano) 300,000years ago. 25km long and 18km wide.

We had a fun visit at this adorable zoo! The variety of animals was just right, with highlights including cute alpacas and a number of bears. But the real entertainment was the pig race - hilarious and entertaining! The animal show was also super cute and engaging. Overall, a fun visit to a zoo that's perfect for families with kids.

The place is slightly rundown for this ticket price, there isn’t a huge variety of animals but it’s got some cute events like the pig race.

When approaching, the entry building looks nice and modern, but after entry into the zoo territory most buildings look old and worn down. Many of the animals you are not supposed to touch are placed in ways where they are easy to reach out to and pet, we didn’t do that but we have seen other people do exactly that. A lot of things and activities require additional payment on site and the payment methods are often very confusing. Some of the animals like the bears are kept in pretty dirty and uncared for enclosures. Those same bears and some of other animals look sick, unfed and dirty. The animals actually allowed to touch and pet are afraid and annoyed by people visiting, for those same animals there are no workers to control how the visitors act with the animals, that caused a lot of those animals to be treated badly by other visitors right in front of our eyes. Some of the animals don’t look as bad as the others, but that doesn’t make the overall experience any better. When we have visited the zoo it was cloudy, but in sunny weather there is no place to hide from the sun and heat. The only beautiful thing was the recreation of a traditional Japanese Pagoda in the middle of an artificial pond. Don’t ever visit this zoo, all you do is pay them money for this terrible experience! Instead visit the hiking trails around the volcano, they are much more interesting and really worth your time!

The enclosures at Aso Cuddly Dominion Park are not suitable for the animals. The bears have far too little space, and the entire area is gray and concrete with no greenery at all. Overall, all the animals look neither healthy nor happy. Additionally, the petting experience is likely not always comfortable for the animals.

The state at which the bears are caged in, are pretty much inhumane. The cages are way too small, and the animals pretty much all look like they have lost all hope in life.. Mostly pacing up and down in their prison cell and some are frantically chewing on the cage bars.. I regret going...

Many animals to pet! The only reason is not 5 stars is because when you go to pet the bears you think you will get a little cub. They brought one really large cub, not small cuddly. It was heavy and constantly eating. It was half the size of the adults and it wasn't what you expected 🙃 still it was cool. I just think when you pay to pet the animal you should have a choice if you don't want to pet a big one and prefer a smaller one. My daughter went there excited and then she was terrified. Not ready for that. They will take photos for you but there were tears in every photo. 😢 So there was that. They have a nice selection of animals. And a show where they have birds of flight where they allow part of the audience to participate. That was fun. No photos allowed there, though, so just in memory. Lovely grounds and so nice to feed pet and interact with so many animals. Thank you for the nice experience. I recommend for families and anyone. Enjoy 😉 😘

Nice place to pay a visit with family! Cool zoo for kids. There is a helicopter tour service here for the Aso volcano, I personally recommend to take it a tour. Personal recommend: ★ ★ ★ Family-friendly: ★ ★ ★ Date for couples: ★ ★ Parking lot: ◯ Services/meals/products/design: ★ ★ Period for stay: 2-3 hours Charge: 6000 yen Baby room/accessible toilet: ◯ Cleanness: ★ ★ the toilet is really poor and not clean

The parking was big enough but need to be careful to drive around. It was easy to find it from the motorway. The local food, souvenirs, and crafts were in the shop. The restaurant looked nice with the local food ,we didn't have time to try it though. It was only me but not comfy to turn right to the motorway from the exit.

Beautiful Roadside station. They have a lot of tourist maps to show you where you can go around the area. It's very remote and peaceful. Coming from the big city, this was a huge breath of fresh air. Pun intended.

It's a newer and bigger rest stop. Restuarant selling japanese full meals.

Nice place to stop, grab a bite to eat and take in the views

This is a nice little road stop oh, they have a cafe with really good tempura and gyudon. There is a gift store that has all of the souvenirs that you need to bring back for your coworkers and there are also lots of toys for little ones. Nice bathrooms, snacks, just a decent little stop.

It was super busy when we happened to be there that day. The smoke from a bbq counter was choking but looks like the local people were very used to it so just we "tourists" found the smoke nearly intolerable. Quite a large souvenirs selection with several hot food counters and the usual vending machines. Large car parking area, public toilets were unusually busy and not so clean.

This road station is located at Kitagawa I.C.(北川I.C.). you can exit this I.C. and find this easily. it can be in from both side highway and local road. Breakfast buffet is from 7:00am to 10:00am every day, but very crowded on weekend. From this station, can reach to Takachiho about 1h. I recomend you to take breakfast here and go from Oita side. From Miyazaki side, you need go through Nobeoka junction and back.

(Translated by Google) Visited on 2025/04/08 The cherry blossoms in the city were scattered, but they were still in full bloom here. The sense of openness is also amazing. (Original) 2025/04/08訪問 市内の桜は散ってましたがここはまだ満開でした。 開放感も凄いです。

(Translated by Google) Visited on October 7, 2025, at 1:05 PM I drove in on a whim and found it to be a great place. The scenery was beautiful, and the parking lot was huge. It was amazing. (Original) 2025/10/7 13:05造訪 臨時起意開車進來，發現真是個好地方，風景好美，停車場好大好大，超讚

(Translated by Google) It is a place with such a spectacular view that it was certified as the number one scenic spot in Kumamoto Prefecture in 1996. I would like to see the Aso Five Mountains visible beyond the spacious lawn someday on a clear day. (Original) 1996年に熊本県一の景勝地として認定されたくらい素晴らしい展望ができる場所です。 広々とした芝生の向こうに見える阿蘇五山をいつか晴れた日に見てみたいです。

(Translated by Google) It is a scenic place where you can see the mountains of Aso. lawn? It is a point where you can enjoy the plaza and go-karts. The restaurant next door is very popular. The main dish seems to be Akaushi, but the soba noodles are also quite delicious. (Original) 阿蘇の山々が眺められる景観の良い場所です。 芝生？の広場とゴーカート等が楽しめるポイントてす。 隣接するレストランは大人気です。 あか牛の料理がメインのようですが、蕎麦もなかなか美味しいです。

(Translated by Google) The super beautiful hundred cherry blossoms are all in bloom! Must-visit attractions in the Minamiaso area👍👍 (Original) 超級漂亮的百本櫻全部綻放！來南阿蘇地區必訪景點👍👍

(Translated by Google) I stopped by around noon on a weekday. You can enjoy the majestic mountains of Aso quietly and slowly. If it's just a small problem, it will blow away. Even if you have some serious worries, you can turn them into a positive one here. It was such a beautiful place. There are also goats. That is also a very exciting point. (Original) 平日のお昼過ぎに立ち寄りました。 雄大な阿蘇の山々を静かにゆっくりと堪能できます。 ちょっとした悩みくらいなら吹き飛びます。 ややヘビーな悩みでも、この場所ならポジティブな捉え方に変換できそうです。 それくらい美しい場所でした。 ヤギもいます。 そこもかなり大きなときめきポイントです。

(Translated by Google) The view is amazing! You can even ride go-karts! (Original) 景色最高！ゴーカートも乗れる！

Easy 100m walk from parking area. Well kept shrine which smelled really lovely. There’s water to purify / good luck ; try to get free parking which is nearby rather than paying 500 yen to park at the entrance of the shrine

Nice and tranquil wooden shrine amongst tall lush trees. The shrine gate is in the middle of the path and you can continue through the path to exit on the other side where you can find the path to the famous shrine in the cave.

This was a wonderful and relaxing tour! SELINA with JTR , was wonderful tour guide , there is also a shrine nearby with rabbits and chickens etc. The meals offered were good also!

When you visit places like this you almost feel like it's a dream as no way beautiful places like this actually exist. Being by water and nature makes it so calming even amongst a group.

Amanoiwato shrine is a cool shrine located in a cave. Easy & short walk towards the shrine.

10 minute walk from the parking to see this masterpeice the views surronding this Torei are epic.

Beautiful! This shrine is believed to be where Amaterasu (Japanese creation story goddess) hid herself in a cave. Be aware that to see one area, you must go in with the priest and whatever group is currently amassed there. There are NO pictures allowed once you pass through the small gate, as it is a sacred area. You can walk about 10 minutes past the shrine to see another area surrounded by rock piles, and photos are fine there. It’s a nice walk through a forest and along a small river. There is a small, free parking lot, but it seems to fill up quickly.

Easy 100m walk from parking area. Well kept shrine which smelled really lovely. There’s water to purify / good luck ; try to get free parking which is nearby rather than paying 500 yen to park at the entrance of the shrine

Nice and tranquil wooden shrine amongst tall lush trees. The shrine gate is in the middle of the path and you can continue through the path to exit on the other side where you can find the path to the famous shrine in the cave.

This was a wonderful and relaxing tour! SELINA with JTR , was wonderful tour guide , there is also a shrine nearby with rabbits and chickens etc. The meals offered were good also!

When you visit places like this you almost feel like it's a dream as no way beautiful places like this actually exist. Being by water and nature makes it so calming even amongst a group.

Amanoiwato shrine is a cool shrine located in a cave. Easy & short walk towards the shrine.

10 minute walk from the parking to see this masterpeice the views surronding this Torei are epic.

Beautiful! This shrine is believed to be where Amaterasu (Japanese creation story goddess) hid herself in a cave. Be aware that to see one area, you must go in with the priest and whatever group is currently amassed there. There are NO pictures allowed once you pass through the small gate, as it is a sacred area. You can walk about 10 minutes past the shrine to see another area surrounded by rock piles, and photos are fine there. It’s a nice walk through a forest and along a small river. There is a small, free parking lot, but it seems to fill up quickly.

A popular spot near Takachiho Gorge, featuring a modest shrine. Although it requires some uphill walking from the gorge, it's accessible. Parking is convenient, except on holidays.

While Takachiho Shrine may not be the most tourist-friendly spot in terms of signage or facilities, the atmosphere more than makes up for it. Nestled in a quiet forested area, the grounds are peaceful, shaded, and deeply spiritual. The towering ancient trees surrounding the shrine give it a mystical charm that’s hard to describe — you can truly feel the weight of history here. It’s the kind of place that invites stillness and reflection, far from the usual crowds. If you’re looking to experience the more serene and spiritual side of Japan, Takachiho Shrine is well worth a visit — just come prepared for a more self-guided and introspective experience.

Takachiho shrine is close to the gorge and is a very well kept, small shrine. You’re not likely to stay long; but it makes for a pleasant experience while on the way to the main attraction.

One of the many Shinto shrines in Takachiho. All are so plain yet so unique. Tucked away in the huge trees gives such a serene feeling.

A very beautiful shrine with a serene atmosphere. It’s much larger than other shrines and features an 800-year-old sacred tree. I’ll definitely visit again in the future.

Free parking and easy to access, I love the small lanterns <3 many people went to pray. Seems like a warm and prosperous place

I had the privilege of visiting Takachiho Shrine, a breathtaking experience. The lush greenery surrounding the shrine is nothing short of divine. I was awestruck by the towering cedars that stood sentinel around the shrine, their grandeur, and majesty a testament to the power of nature. The atmosphere is incredibly calm and peaceful, making it the perfect haven for those seeking solace and tranquility. The beauty of the shrine and its surroundings is simply stunning, and I felt a deep sense of connection to nature and the divine. If you're seeking a place to unwind, reflect, and rejuvenate your spirit, Takachiho Shrine is a must-visit destination. Its natural beauty and serene ambiance will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired.

A must-visit natural wonder in Kyushu — perfect for families and photo lovers! Takachiho Gorge is one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in Japan. The walking path along the gorge is well maintained, making it a great experience for both adults and kids. You can enjoy stunning views of the cliffs, waterfalls, and lush greenery from multiple angles — it’s very photogenic, even from the ground level! The boat ride is definitely a bonus highlight, offering a unique view of the famous Manai Falls from the water. However, it’s quite hard to make an advance reservation, and same-day tickets can have a waiting time of up to 4 hours. If you want to try the boats, arrive early in the morning (around opening time) to secure a slot. For parking, I highly recommend Takachiho-kyo Dai San Ohashi Parking Lot (高千穂峡第3大橋駐車場). It’s free and provides a scenic walk to the gorge area — a perfect warm-up before you start exploring. Overall, this place is absolutely worth the trip — peaceful, scenic, and family-friendly. Even if you skip the boats, walking through the gorge and taking in the views is an unforgettable experience.

Do you like rivers? Do you like valleys? Do you like getting away from the big city? Do you like feeling secluded? This place is beautiful. It's not just the boat ride, there is so much to see. There are shrines, waterfalls, restaurants, etc. all in the area. The walk to boat's is a bit far so anticipate a good 20 minute walk. You can't actually row too far in the boats so don't worry, it's very safe and suitable for little children. Also, remember, TAKE A DEEP BREATH. smell the air. It's what real air smells like. :)

Chan Brothers Tour – 23 November 2025 After a delightful lunch at Aoshima Garden Dining, we continued our journey to explore the serene beauty of this region. The atmosphere was calm and refreshing, with gentle breezes carrying the scent of nature. Our next stop was a picturesque gorge, where the scenery unfolded like a painting—lush greenery, rugged cliffs, and the soothing sound of cascading water. We spent time near the little waterfalls, enjoying the tranquil rhythm of nature and even tried a bit of baiting along the clear streams. It was a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, a reminder of how simple moments in nature can create lasting memories.

What an absolute wonder! One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen with my eyes. It's surreal to see it in real life and pictures just don't do this place justice. It is quite crowded with tourists but it's worth it. As usual if you get in early you'll beat most of the crowd. There's places to sit and enjoy food near the gorge which has a beautiful seating area with a pond and some huge fish. And I can't believe this was all free! Do yourself a favour if you're travelling through Japan you need to hire a car to really take in the beauty of this country. Half the fun is getting to the destination and being amazed by the scenery.

Beautiful. Feels like a step into a fantasy world. Lots of boats bumping into each other, so that doesn't look like much fun. And I'm inclined to believe that the view is better from up top too. And it's free, except for the parking. Also, the weather can be so unpredictable (in November). I wouldn't want to be booked/paid and be 'forced' to go when it's pouring with rain. Yesterday was miserable; today wonderful. Finding parking is a challenge. See my review where we parked.

Gorgeous place to visit. definitely will want a car to get there. if you don’t get a rental boat, don’t stress you can still admire the gorge without it. super pretty views. couple cute shops and places to eat. definitely recommend for a day trip if you can; i spent around 2-2.5 hours there and stayed in the area for the Kagura

Gorgeous! We missed out on the boats but honestly didn’t even feel like we needed it. Some of the most unique rock structures and a stunning gorge. We visited in autumn which seems to be the best time to see it with the maple leaves raining into the gorge with some great photo ops from the bridge overlooking the waterfall. The koi and chozame in the ponds are huge too!

A beautiful and well-maintained Japanese garden, offering a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. The landscape is carefully designed, featuring a large pond, traditional tea houses, and a miniature representation of the Tokaido road, including a small Mt. Fuji. The garden reflects the beauty of Japanese aesthetics, with seasonal flowers adding to its charm. The entrance fee is 400 yen as of March 2025. A great spot to take a relaxing stroll, enjoy and admire the harmony of nature. Enjoy 😎🙏🧘🧘‍♀️

Visited on a rainy morning so enjoyed a quieter atmosphere with fewer tourists. A lovely Japanese garden with two shrines and many stores inside, but not that different from otherJapanese gardens if you had visited them elsewhere.

A very nice and quite beautiful park overall. The scenery is lovely and it’s a pleasant place to walk around, but it does feel a bit small for the 400 yen entrance fee. It’s also a shame to see some buildings inside that are run-down or closed — they clearly have a lot of potential if restored. Still, it’s an enjoyable visit, just not as impressive as it could be.

I went here to relax after a long day. It’s a quiet park with lots of benches around the lake. There aren’t many people around. There’s a shrine inside and some small torii gates. The lake has a lot of fish as well. I saw many cherry trees, so this park must be even more beautiful during cherry blossom season. Entrance fee for adult is 400yen.

A very well-preserved garden. You can also enjoy the “water of longevity” inside the shrine in the garden.

It is a place you would like to enjoy, quiet. Not too many people, enjoy the peace and meditation. But for some people maybe boring, but it is only 10-15 minutes by tram, it worth to go in my opinion.

A beautiful garden with a shrine inside. It was very quiet with few visitors on a weekday, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy the views

A very exquisite and compact zoo and botanical garden, with some amusement facilities inside. Most rides cost around 200 yen per turn, making it quite worth a visit. However, the facilities inside could use an upgrade. If the goal is to reduce staff by using automated ticket machines, then the machines should be updated. Foreign visitors may not be able to distinguish between old and new banknotes, leading to long waits only to find out they cannot use them. This greatly affects the overall experience.

Great place to see animals and they are well taken care of. Animals looked relaxed and not stressed out. Great place to take kids! Signs are in Japanese. 200¥ a car for parking. Oddly no stamp rally at the zoo.

i visited several zoos in the past and i know that there are many zoos that display more animal variations but i like this zoo. for me it is enough for whole family entertainment. we can walk around and watch animals in their cage. they even put some animals like monkey in open area, but surround it with mini river so they can't jump across. there are also a big garden where we can walk around in quiet and peaceful moment. in the center part, there are some rides for the kids like train and ferris wheel, also several others. we have a good time here 😊

I genuinely love the place, so please don’t get me wrong. But I do feel that the living conditions for some of the animals really need improvement. When I visited this zoo, I was heartbroken by how small and poorly maintained the enclosures were — the lions were roaring nonstop, and their space was extremely limited. All the animals look sad, the bears, the polar bears, the lions and tigers, the monkeys.. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind paying a higher entrance fee if it meant giving these animals a more comfortable, enriching environment to live in.

Kumamoto City Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a pleasant destination for families, couples, and nature lovers. It combines a mid-sized zoo with a botanical garden, making it an enjoyable half-day outing. 🐅 Zoo Highlights The zoo houses a variety of animals—lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, and native Japanese species. Enclosures are smaller compared to larger, modern zoos, but the staff clearly care for the animals. Kids especially love the petting area and small rides inside the park. 🌿 Botanical Gardens The botanical garden section features seasonal flowers, a greenhouse, and landscaped walking paths. In spring, cherry blossoms make it a perfect picnic spot. There are also shaded areas for resting. 🏔 Scenic Bonus From some parts of the park, you can enjoy a view of Mt. Aso on clear days, adding a unique Kumamoto touch to your visit. 🚍 Access & Tips > About 30 minutes by tram from central Kumamoto City. > Entry fee is affordable. > Food stalls and vending machines are available, but you can also bring your own picnic.

BUY CHOPPER STATUE FIGURE HERE. (cash only) You do not need to pay for zoo entry to view the statue or purchase the figures. Like many zoo/animal experiences in Japan, we decided not to visit. Animal welfare is sadly not always top priority at these places (enclosures are bare, made of plain concrete, no enrichment is provided and the animals are usually very stressed or depressed) so it's important to check the reviews and photos before you visit anywhere with animals in Japan.

It is a nice little zoo and a botanical garden combined. There are optional payee attractiona inside as well. For a price of 500 yen, it is a bargain.

It is a beautifull garden with a big pond, with huge koi fish. Good place to have a stroll and relaxe a little. If you want to know more than read the panthlet they handout. It helps to understand the different sights. But it is nothing that you would not see little downstream at the lake for free.

Nice park for the locals, not much for the tourists unless you're looking for a place to take a nap!

It's a serene spot perfect for dating or relaxing stroll. Some boat activities nearby which unfortunately were not working during our visits. A zoo nearby but as 2 adults we didn't really enjoy watching caged animals, although those with children seemed to enjoy.

Relaxed park for a stroll, suitable for families, couples, group of friends or solo walkers. At the Boat House, established in 1881, you can rent rowing boats or pedal boats and have a bite such as hamburgers and fries. It's a Charming place with an unconscious Miyazaki cartoon atmosphere in my opinion. I highly recommend renting a boat and enjoying a quick relaxing moment on the lake. The nearby beautiful Suizenji park is a more formal experience, worth it if you are interested by history and culture.

It is an interesting and wide place for families. It has many of parking lot around.

The best recreational park in town. Perfect for picnics and outdoor sports. It also has a lakeside jogging path and a path straight to the East entrance of Kumamoto Zoo.

Very serene location. Normally have to pay to enter but they were having a event and entry was free. Colorful koi fish in the ponds which depict the islands of Japan and the surrounding oceans. The largest Hill is said to depict Mt Fuji. We we're lucky as it was cherry blossom season and the trees were epic. I think that's what the festival was. Food, games stuff for sale. All this was at the suizenji park. The ezuko park is always wide open, picnickers, kids playing beautiful natural scenery, streams, lake

About 20 million years ago, the area around Omi Shrine was a shallow coastal plain with a large river flowing through it. A large amount of gravel (pebbles) accumulated near the estuary, mixed with clay and sand, and solidified over a long period of time to become "Sazare"stone.

Very picturesque temple right on the water. It’s got to be the most magical site for a shrine I’ve ever seen so far. There’s a beach nearby but it’s not that great. There’s a lookout point but you need to drive up to get there. Lots of spiders on those trees so be careful going through the trees.

The cave shrine is absolutely awesome! The stairs are very steep though, so it might not be accessible to everyone. We were lucky that there were no other people there, so it was a nice quiet spot to sit on the rocks and take everything in.

The most amazing shrine in Japan hands down. The mystery and stories surrounding this place is awesome. I could spend hours here.

Gorgeous wooden shrine near the Isagahama beach.

I could spend hours here

Quiet place. Nice breeze. Dragons palace in the nearby cave. The Ascending dragon.