(Translated by Google) Ebino City, Miyazaki Prefecture is a station on the JR Kyushu Kichito Line, and as its name suggests, it is the entrance to the Kyomachi hot spring village by train. In fact, many people visit during the Kyomachi Futsukaichi market held in Kyomachi Onsenkyo in February. The station building has been rebuilt and is now beautiful, but like many local stations these days, it is now a bleak station with no atmosphere. The actual role of the station building appears to be played by the adjacent tourist exchange center. Bicycle parking is small. (Original) 宮崎県えびの市JR九州吉都線の駅で、その名の通り鉄道で京町温泉郷へ訪れるための入り口となる。実際に2月に京町温泉郷で開催される京町二日市の際には多くの人が訪れる。 駅舎が立て直され綺麗にはなったが、最近の地方の駅の例に漏れず、情緒のかけらもない殺風景な駅になった。実質的な駅舎としての役割は隣接する観光交流センターが担っている模様。 駐輪場は少な目。

(Translated by Google) When I stayed at a ryokan in Kyomachi Onsen, I went to see Kyomachi Onsen Station on an early morning walk around the hot spring town. It is a single-track, unmanned station with no station building or ticket gates. The tourist center was built in front of the station. I couldn't see the train due to time constraints. The scenery where the straight railway line is sucked into the mountains has a bit of charm. In my hometown, I don't take the train except for commuting, and I live in a car everywhere I go, so this itinerary was also by car. Perhaps that's why I have a bit of admiration for traveling by train on routes like this. (Original) 京町温泉の旅館に宿泊したときに早朝の温泉街の散策で京町温泉駅を見にきました。単線で無人駅で駅舎も改札もありません。駅前に建っているのは観光センターでした。時間が合わず電車を見ることはできませんでした。直線の線路が山に吸い込まれる景色にはちょっとした趣を感じます。 地元では通勤以外は電車に乗ることもなくどこに行くにもクルマ生活で今回の旅程もクルマ移動です。そのためかこのような路線の電車の旅には少し憧れがあります。

(Translated by Google) I visited here to practice my bike. The station building was new and very clean. There was a piano. (Original) バイクの練習で訪れました。駅舎が新しくとても綺麗でした。ピアノがありました。

(Translated by Google) I visited in April 2003. At that time, it was a normal station. I ate lunch and took a break in an empty station waiting room. (Original) 2003年4月に訪れました。その頃は普通の駅でした。誰もいない駅の待合室で昼飯を食べて休憩しました。

(Translated by Google) It's usually a quiet station, but today it's very busy because "Kyomachi Futsukaichi 2019.2.2-2.3" is being held. We are currently renovating our home. Number of passengers: 69 per day (not including passengers getting off) (Original) 普段は静かな駅ですが、今日は「京町二日市2019.2.2～2.3」が開催されていますので大変な賑わいです。現在ホームを改修中です。乗車人員は69人/日（降車客含まず）

(Translated by Google) It is an unmanned station with a retro feel. I visited on a weekday and it was quiet. The platforms and stations were kept well-cleaned. Next time I would like to visit a hot spring when touring. (Original) レトロな感じの無人駅です 平日訪問で閑散としていましたが ホームや駅は綺麗に掃除が行き届いてました 今度はツーリング時に温泉も来たいと思います

(Translated by Google) The empty, unmanned station remains the same. The location of the station has moved slightly and is now new. large parking lot beautiful facility clean toilet Space to shelter from the rain and wind some types of vending machines For some reason, piano lol Access to the Sanroku Line will be wider and cleaner, making it safer for pedestrians. Please note that the direction of the stop sign has changed from before! Rumor has it that people were getting arrested for not stopping at one point, probably because the stop sign was in a very high position. After that, the stop sign was lowered. lol lol Everyone, please stop for safety reasons. ₍₍( ´ ᵕ ` *)⁾⁾ (Original) 何もない無人駅っていうのは、あい変わらず 駅の位置が若干移動し、新しくなりました 広い駐車場 綺麗な施設 清潔なトイレ 雨風しのげるスペース いく種類かの自販機 なぜか、ピアノ 笑笑 山麓線へのアクセスが、広くなって綺麗になって、歩行者には安心できるかと 止まれの標識の向きが昔と変わったのが、注意点！ 止まれの標識が一時期、非常ーーーに高い位置にあったせいか、「一時不停止」で捕まってたという噂 その後、止まれの標識の位置が低くなってました 笑笑 みなさん、安全のためにもしっかりと止まりましょうね ₍₍( ´ ᵕ ` *)⁾⁾

Apparently quite a famous and old shrine. We waited about 15 minutes to pray on Jan 5. There's a modern little museum attached for an extra ¥500. There are toilets as well. The thatched roof is interesting.

Visited on a scorching summer weekend — the heat was intense. There were a few tourists around, most came to pray quickly and left right after. I didn’t stay long either, just enough time to take some photos. The shrine has a beautiful traditional structure, with a unique thatched roof (like woven hay — not something you see every day!) and a striking red torii gate at the entrance. It feels historic and sacred, even in the heat. Would love to come back when it’s cooler to take my time exploring.

Nice shrine. Great pond and lotus plants in front. Nice bridge photo moment.

A historical place over 1200 years, not big but it is worth a visit

Peaceful and sacred beauty.

Can't go into the building as priests are only allowed in.

Beautiful temple in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Was expecting more ruins. Or at least more to see. Large stone stairs claiming to the top of where the castle was. Views were not so good.

Though the castle itself was destroyed in the early Meiji era, we were so impressed with its great stone wall, which was great enough for us to imagine the old age.

Remote place, but so calm and quiet, slow walk and feel the atmosphere of ancient time.

Good way to knowing Japan history

(Translated by Google) I came here in October 2025 as part of the 100 Famous Castles Stamp Rally. The stamps are available just inside the Hitoyoshi Castle History Museum. The castle is located at the confluence of the Kuma River and the Munekawa River, and uses these rivers as a moat. Highlights include the protruding stone walls and the Mizunotemon Gate, which was built to allow water transportation on the Kuma River, and is said to be rare even nationwide. A 5-10 minute climb up the stone steps will take you to the remains of the main castle. There aren't any particularly notable buildings left, but it was a very nice castle ruin. (Original) 2025年10月に100名城スタンプラリーで来ました。スタンプは人吉城歴史館の入ってすぐのところに置いてあります。 球磨川と胸川の合流点に位置していて、これらの川を堀として利用したお城です。見どころは石垣のはね出しや、球磨川を水運に利用するための水ノ手門が挙げられ、これらは全国的に見ても珍しいようです。 石段を5〜10分ほど登ると本丸跡まで行くことができます。特段建物が残っていたりする訳ではないのですが、とても良い城跡でした。

(Translated by Google) ☆Japan's 100 Greatest Castles☆ 10/20/2025 Located in the center of Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, this unusual castle was ruled by the Sagara clan for nearly 700 years. Built from the Muromachi period through the Edo period, it offers a glimpse of the castle's past through each era. As the site of the Seinan War, most of the buildings were burned down, leaving only Sagara Gokoku Shrine standing. The stone walls feature a "musha-gaeshi" (a type of samurai guardrail) built using Western castle-building techniques. This type of samurai guardrail can only be seen at Hakodate Goryokaku, Tatsuoka Castle Goryokaku, and Shinagawa Battery. Due to time constraints, I wasn't able to visit the remains of the main keep on the mountain, but even just walking around the stone walls and castle grounds at the base was enjoyable. It was a wonderful castle that I'd like to return to. (Original) ☆日本100名城☆ 25.10.20 熊本県人吉市の中心、700年近く相良氏によって治められたという珍しい城。室町時代から江戸時代にかけて造営されており、時代ごとの城の姿が見られる。 西南戦争の舞台だったため建物はほとんど焼失して残っておらず、相良護国神社が建っているくらい。石垣は西洋築城技術のはね出し工法による武者返しが見られる。はね出し工法の武者返しは函館五稜郭と龍岡城五稜郭、品川台場でしか見られない。 山城部分の本丸跡地には時間の関係で行けなかったが、麓の石垣や城域を歩くだけでも楽しい。また来たいと思える素晴らしい城だった。

(Translated by Google) 1. Visit Hitoyoshi Castle to get the 93rd stamp on Japan's 100 Famous Castles. 2. While only the castle ruins remain, there's plenty to see along the road. 3. Surprisingly, foreign tour buses are a frequent sight. 4. The stamp is located at the entrance to the Hitoyoshi Castle History Museum. (Original) 1. 일본 100명성 93번 히토요시성 스탬프를 찍기 위해 방문 2. 성터만 남아있는 상태이나 길을 따라 들어가면 꽤 구경할 것이 있음 3. 의외로 외국인 관광버스가 자주 보임 4. 스탬프는 히토요시성 역사 박물관 현관에 있음

In a middle of nowhere, here it is... a little onsen and its very smily owner. This onsen saved my day, I really thought I was going to sleep in my car all dirty, after a day of intense exploration. The water is surprisingly soft, and there are many tables and sofas if you need to rest a bit (or work, like me).

This is actually a 3 star onsen, just because the water quality is average, but I gave it 4 stars because it's the only onsen in the area.

(Translated by Google) A hot spring facility located in Nishimera Village. This hot spring ♨️ is gentle on the skin and has a thick consistency ♨️ The deer meat served at the restaurant has no odor at all and is delicious, and the Nishimera salmon bowl is exquisite! ️ It's so delicious that you can only eat it here! A place where you can relax if you can hold a family bath Recommended for those who want to take their time even if it's far away! It is said that it will be crowded on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. If you have a car 🚗, we recommend going on weekdays! This is a place that people from other prefectures should definitely visit. Recommended for those who have skin problems. My hands were getting rough and my atopic dermatitis was getting worse! Although it is far from the city of Miyazaki Prefecture, it is worth the trip. Houzuki is also famous. Many of the souvenirs are yuzu! It's a place you can go to if you have a car 🚗. (Original) 西米良村にある温泉施設。 こちらの温泉♨️がお肌に優しくとろみのある温泉♨️ お食事ところのシカのお肉も全く臭みがなく美味しくて、西米良サーモン丼が絶品‼️ ここでしか食べられないくらい美味しいです！ 家族風呂もおさえられればゆっくりできる場所 遠くてもゆっくり時間を設けたい方におすすめです！土日祝日は混雑するとのこと。 車🚗があれば平日行くのがオススメです！ 他県の方もぜひ行っていただきたい場所。 お肌に悩みのある方は是非オススメ。 手荒れ、アトピーひどくていきました！ 宮崎県市内からは距離はありますが行く価値あります。 ホウズキも有名。お土産はゆずのものが多いです！ 車🚗あれば行ける場所です。

(Translated by Google) Staying time 10:00~11:45 Visited for the first time to enjoy the sauna and was excited about the hot spring facility in the mountains. Although the sauna is small, it has three tiers, so the upper tier has a good temperature. The water bath is full of about 2 people. There is a streamlined chaise lounge in the outdoor air bath, which is very comfortable! It was a nice facility where you can enjoy hot springs and saunas. (Original) 滞在時間10:00~11:45 サウナを楽しむため初訪問、山の中の温泉施設にワクワク。 サ室は狭いながら3段になっているので上段はよい温度。 水風呂は2人ほどでいっぱい。 外気浴には流線形の寝椅子があって とても気持ちがいい！ 温泉とサウナが楽しめるいい施設でした。

(Translated by Google) It was a simmering hot water. Adult 500 yen [River Hot Spring] Large indoor bath (some places have bubbles) Indoor bath (warmer than large) Sauna (with TV) Water bath (chimete) Washing area (rinse-in shampoo, body soap, soap included) Open-air bath (one of the larger ones, but with different depths) Changing room (locker for putting 100 yen in, toilet, tissue, hair dryer, drinking fountain available) Where to eat ・Salmon fried rice bowl (large serving) ・Deer minced meat cutlet (apparently it also contains wild boar) Get a little discount at Gibier Fair until 3/30/2025 (Delicious and filling♪) It's not open between lunch and evening, so it might be a good idea to check it out later. For payment, bring the slip to the front desk. (Original) とろとろの湯でした 大人500円 [川の湯] 内風呂大(泡出てる所あり) 内風呂中(大よりぬるめ) サウナ(テレビあり) 水風呂(ちめてー) 洗い場(リンスインシャンプー　ボディーソープ　石鹸あり) 露天風呂(大きいの一つ　でも深さが違う) 脱衣場(100円入れて帰ってくるロッカー　トイレ　ティッシュ　ドライヤー　水飲み場あり　) 御食事どころ ・サーモンのからあげ丼(大盛) ・鹿メンチカツ（猪も入ってるらしい） ジビエフェアで2025/3/30まで少しお得 (おいしくてお腹いっぱい♪) お昼と夕方の間やってないので確認してからがいいかもです お会計はフロントまで伝票を持ってくタイプ

(Translated by Google) Visited 2024/2. I stopped by on my way from Saitoshi to Kumamoto. I didn't go to the hot springs, but I liked the food so much that I ate there both at noon and at night on the same day (lol). The Nishimaira salmon bowl was delicious with the flavor of ginger, shiso leaves, and small onions added to the fatty salmon.I ordered a large portion for an additional 100 yen. Morinoko set meal includes bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, and chicken nanban. It was my first time to try Nanban with bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms, but it also came with homemade tartar sauce and was delicious! The cutlets in the cutlet curry and katsudon are also very filling! Not only was it delicious, but the large amount of rice made me feel very full. For an additional 100 yen, you can add miso soup to your rice bowl, etc., and the piping hot dagojiru (miso soup with dumplings) warmed me to the core. What really made me happy was that the cold food was delicious. Usually when I eat out, I'm worried about the smell of chlorine, but the water here was delicious♪ I thought that because the water was delicious, the food was also delicious! The staff were attentive, disinfecting the tables, pouring water, and making us feel at ease. The hot springs also have a good reputation, so I would like to take my time and enjoy them next time! (Original) 2024/2訪問。 西都市から熊本へ行く途中に寄りました。温泉には入らなかったのですが、食事が気に入り過ぎて、同じ日の昼と夜、こちらで食事しました(笑) 西米良サーモン丼は、脂さっぱりのサーモンに、ミョウガと大葉と小ネギの風味が加わって美味しかったです♪+100円で大盛りにしました。 森の子定食は、筍、しいたけ、鶏の南蛮。筍やしいたけの南蛮は初めてだったけど、手作りのタルタルソースも付いてこれも美味しかった！ カツカレー、カツ丼のカツもしっかり食べごたえあり！美味しいだけでなく、ごはんの量多めでお腹がとても満たされました♪ +100円で丼等にもお味噌汁がつけられるのですが、熱々のだご汁(団子入りのお味噌汁)で身体の芯から温まりました。 地味に嬉しかったのが、お冷が美味しかったこと。大抵、外食するとカルキの匂いが気になるけど、ここのお水は美味しかったです♪お水が美味しいから食事も美味しいのかなーと思いました！ スタッフの方達も、テーブルの消毒をしたり、水を注ぎに来てくれたり、気配りが行き届いていて気持ち良く過ごすことができました。 温泉も評判が良いので、今度はゆっくり満喫したいと思います！

(Translated by Google) The view was great, and the thick water was very pleasant. The view from the open-air bath was wide, and I took a deep breath while looking at the mountain ridges and the blue sky. It was a quiet and nice place. I also became friends with the kind lady and asked her for recommendations on places to visit in Nishimera Village. I was touched by the kindness and love of the local people. (Original) 見晴らしもよく、トロトロの湯質で大変気持ちよかったです。露天風呂の視界も広く山の稜線と青空をみながら深呼吸しました。静かでいいところ。また親切ならおばさまとお友達になり西米良村のおすすめスポットを伺いました。地元の方のやさしさ地元愛にほっこりでした。

Forbidden to tattoo foreigners. For local rules reasons …. Whatever that means Got EV charger! #timetowakeupjpn

I go to this onsen quite often. The water is great. Nice outdoor baths over looking the river. The sauna they have is good. And the cold water bath is super deep! One of the hot water baths is also really deep!

Great outside and inside facility. I go regularly and feel great. It is not tattoo friendly, but covering small tattoos doesn’t seem to bother anyone.

Nice indoor, outdoor bath and sauna. Good quality water which leaves your skin soft and your body relaxed.

Water temperature is just perfect 👌. The rooms are a bit small though. Family bath is 2300 yen.

足湯は無料♪ Lucky( ^-^)ノ∠※。.:*:・'°☆

(Translated by Google) The scenery is very nice, and the forest scenery changes with the seasons, which is very relaxing. The menu at the restaurant is plentiful and delicious, and there is also a well-stocked store selling souvenirs and locally produced foods. I wondered why there was a roadside station in such a place, but Japan's tallest stone steps are relatively close by, and it seemed like there were many tourists, not just locals, who were driving or touring. The hot spring was also very pleasant, but I felt that it was a little small considering the large site. It was a bit disappointing that there were so many customers. (Original) 景観がとても良く、季節によって森の景色もかわりとても安らぎます。食堂のメニューも豊富で美味しく、土産物や地産地消の食料品などの売り場も充実してました。こんな所に道の駅が、、と思いますが、日本一の石段が比較的近くにあり、地元民だけでなく、ドライブやツーリングなど観光客も多そうな感じでした。温泉もとても気持ちよかったですが、広い敷地の割にやや温泉は狭かったかなという印象でした。お客さんも多いのでそこはちょっと残念でした。

I came here in the evening after visiting the castle. It is obviously built for tourists so prices can be a bit higher here. But also you will be able to find unique food like horse meat here, and also omiyage from the Kumamoto region. Was not crowded because I arrived quite late.

The food here is low quality and expensive. It is better to come here after having a meal at the nearby mall's food court. Definition of a tourist trap. But you can still enjoy the scenery and old aesthetic without buying any food. The Kumamoto Castle ticketing area is here too, you can buy tickets and ticket packages for the castle and museums. This area feels too commercialized, lacking many of the traditional feeling. You can also print a Kumamoto Castle coin with engraving for 630 yen

Not a big area. Mainly restaurants. One gift shop. Walking around here takes 10 mins unless you go for the VR or wearing costumes to walk around and take pictures. Enjoy the ancient feel with the architectural style.

Sakura-no-baba Josaien, a lively castle town square at the foot of Kumamoto Castle, where visitors can enjoy local cuisine, traditional crafts, and cultural performances.

One of nice spots to visit when you are visiting Kumamoto Castle, it is near the castle, and close to bus stop that will take you back to the town. Here, there are lots of local shops and restaurants.

Visited in July 2025 Back in the day, the site was a stable for the troops stationed in the castle. But now the days of horse transportation is long gone and it has been repurposed as a tourist center. The Wakuwakuza museum is inside the complex as well. Due to the absence of any real food courts or shopping centers nearby and around the castle area (the city's major shopping arcade is 500+ meters away), the price of the foods here are way more expensive, borderline tourist trap level even. That being said, there are some items I found interesting. For instance, there is one stall that sells anything horse meat, from croquette, sausage on skewer, and even sushi. Forgot to ask whether the latter is grilled or raw horse meat on sushi rice (seems to be on the former). Another sells some Kumamon-shaped cake with some filling. AFAIK there's one shuttle bus running between the place and Kumamoto Station.

This place could get busy at times, specially on weekend where there are many tourists but it is still tolerable. The place is nice and has different stores that offer food and drinks. I particularly love the matcha store there. Offers great variety of food and has available seats on the side. Local sellers are welcoming and very kind. At times, there are presentations in the morning and afternoon, I am not so sure about the schedule and if it is something seasonal. I believe local sellers are used to meeting foreigners and despite the fact that most of them dont speak English, they still try to be patient and warm. I have not tried the restaurants there but will try my best to visit it next time. Added some photos at night

The castle is quite beautiful, but so is many other castles around Japan. While the constructed elevated walkway does take away from the historic look and feel, it does however give a different vantage point to the ground path. There are still many spots where the earthquake damage is “preserved”. The tourist facilities are very well laid out and most staff can speak basic English, and restaurant and snacks stalls are a bit expensive but reasonable for a tourist spot. Worth a visit if you are already coming to Kumamoto, but I wouldn’t bother travelling long distance just to see the castle.

Kumamoto Castle looks beautiful from the outside and the reconstruction after the 2016 earthquake is impressive. Inside it feels modern, more like a museum about the castle than a place showing how it once looked. There are no traditional rooms or old interiors like in Himeji. There’s also a separate Castle Museum but it can be skipped since the main castle already explains most of the history and the rebuilding process. Great to see from the outside, but not the old Japan vibe I expected.

Admission fee 800yen for castle only. There is an app called the KumaCastle which they encouraged you to download. Very easy to use. U can use the app to scan the QR code in each station for a more thorough briefing. Learnt that this castle got affected by the earthquake on 2016 and restoration is still in progress. Looking at how they went on to preserve something so worthy of the effort is heartwarming. Not boring. It’s educational and it’s informative for both adults and kids.

Visiting Kumamoto Castle was one of the most peaceful and moving experiences of my trip to Japan. As I walked toward the castle, the grand black-and-white towers rose above the trees, standing proudly against the sky. Even from a distance, I could feel the strength and spirit of the place. Inside the castle grounds, time seemed to slow down. The stone walls, carefully rebuilt after the earthquake, carry stories of courage and endurance. I found myself pausing often—just to breathe in the quiet air and imagine what life was like centuries ago. It’s amazing how a place that has faced so much destruction can still stand with such dignity and grace. Walking along the pathways lined with old trees, I felt surrounded by both history and hope. The sunlight filtering through the leaves gave the whole place a warm glow, and for a moment, I felt completely at peace. There was no rush, no noise—only the soft sounds of the wind and my own footsteps. Kumamoto Castle reminded me that beauty often comes from strength, and peace can exist even after hardship. I left the castle feeling calm, inspired, and deeply grateful. It is more than just a historic site—it is a symbol of resilience and quiet power. If you ever visit Kumamoto, take time to stand still within those walls and let the spirit of the castle speak to you.

A very well preserved historical monument, and very cleverly and sensitively remodelled to include visual and static exhibits, including modern amenities like walking paths and ramps, and elevators and toilets. Becoming a user friendly and accessible place for everyone. The visual displays and video documentary present very detailed historical and rehabilitation backgrounds, making the visit very interesting and educational.

As the billboards make me believe, construction will carry on until the 2030s. Or even 2050s as another sign seems to say. While renovations are not a bad thing, I feel they could have been made less impactful for visitors. Even just walking around the castle is annoying. I am so glad that Kumamoto is only a stopover and we didn't come here for the castle. The late afternoon light, just before sunset, was quite lovely though. And the lights at night (from our hotel room) are nice too. (Last admission is 4pm, if you want to get inside.)

Very well-organised and easy to navigate. The staff, ticketing, and crowd flow were all managed smoothly, making the visit comfortable even with many visitors. The castle grounds are impressive and the restoration work is beautifully done. Worth a visit!

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

Located near the castle, this shrine is a peaceful and historically significant site, dedicated to Katō Kiyomasa, the samurai lord who built Kumamoto Castle in the early 17th century. It’s a quiet place to take a break from the crowds and enjoy a bit of history and culture. The atmosphere is serene, and the shrine grounds are well maintained. A good place to visit if you're already exploring the castle area.

a very wonderful shrine. vibrant color, beautiful trees, also offer a very special view of kumamoto castle. if you are luckier, you could observe the weeding ceremony being hold upstairs for the japanese. the tori gate and the tree is gorgeous

Kumamoto Castle was not open, but you can have a close look at this shrine nearby. It also has several Kumamoto bears.

Visited in 2.4.2025. Amazing view of Kumamoto castle from here. It sells cute Omamori and some beautiful golden plate of Kumamoto Castle. Super cute Kumamon in Samurai outfit. Toilet is clean.

A beautiful, quiet shrine with a view of Kumamoto Castle. It takes a bit of time to reach because of the ongoing renovations around the castle.

Nice and quiet place but maybe less attraction places have better photo spots for Kumamoto castle

Has a beautiful view of the castle, cherry blossoms leading up to it, and is available to visit during the evening as well for a good view of the illuminated castle. The shrine itself is also beautiful and they have nice goshuin.

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!

Wonderful water fall

(Translated by Google) We took a boat ride and looked at Manai Falls from below. It was very impressive. You can make advance reservations from one week in advance. Boat reservations are mandatory during busy seasons. (Original) ボートに乗って真名井の滝を下から眺めました。大迫力でした。 1週間前から事前予約できます。繁忙期にはボート予約は必須です。

(Translated by Google) The first group from 7:30 in the busy season. I checked with the hotel the day before and heard that it would be full by around 7:40, so I went around 7:05, but it was full. I was underestimating Golden Week 5/5... orz😭 When the parking lot is full, the next parking lot you are directed to is the last place from the Manai Falls side of Takachiho Gorge (the second Araragi parking lot?), so you will have a hard time parking there. So even if you go early in the busy season, if it is crowded, it is better to give up and walk. It was difficult because it was the first time in decades to row a boat. 😅 I rowed and my family told me to go right or left, but I realized that I should row the way my family told me to just before returning to the pier. It's good to have an image of rowing a boat beforehand. 😆 However, there were other guests, so some boats ran aground and some went in the wrong direction, so it didn't go as I expected. 😆 However, you can see the waterfall up close, which is a different experience from seeing it from afar, so I recommend it. It was Golden Week, so the whole family managed to make a reservation as soon as reservations opened, but if you want to ride it for sure, I think it's better to go outside of peak season. 😅 It's 5,000 yen for 30 minutes during peak season, so it's a bit shabby. 😂 However, I think it's the cost of maintaining this environment, so yes! I'd be happy to go‼️🥰 (Original) 繁忙期の730からの第1陣。 前日までにホテルで確認し、740くらいには満車らしい、と聞いていて705くらいには行ったのですが満車でした。GW5/5を舐めてました…。orz😭 満車時に次に誘導される次の駐車場は高千穂峡の散策で言うと真名井の滝側からの最後の場所（第2あららぎ駐車場？）なので停めると大変な目に遭います。 なので繁忙期は早めに行っても混んでたら、潔く諦めて徒歩で向かう方が良いです。 ボートは何十年ぶり？で大変でした。😅 自分が漕いで、家人が右だ左だ言いますが、ほぼ船着場に戻る直前に家人の言う方のパドルを漕げば良いと気付きました。 ボート漕ぎの事前イメージはあると良いです。😆 ただ他の客も居ますので、座礁するボート、あらぬ方向に行くボートもあり、思った様には進みません。😆 ただ、滝を間近に見れるので、それはそれで遠くから見るのとは違う体験は出来るのでオススメです。 GWだったので、家族総出で予約開始とともにどうにか予約出来ましたが、確実に乗りたい場合は、繁忙期以外が良いと思います。😅 繁忙期は30分5000円なのでボロいですよね〜。😂 とは言え、この環境を維持するためのコストと思いますので、ハイ！喜んで‼️🥰

Must see place.

(Translated by Google) It's beautiful and worth a visit. You should also take a boat ride. The atmosphere on the boat is wonderful. The only downside is that parking at P3 and P4 is incredibly far. It's a tiring walk. Allow 30-40 minutes for the walk. (Original) สวยนะ คุ้มที่จะมา ควรพายเรือด้วย บรรยากาศในเรือคือดีมาก เสียอย่างเดียว ที่จอดรถ P3 P4 คือโครตไกลลลล เดินโครตเหนื่อย เผื่อเวลาไว้เลย 30-40 นาที สำหรับเดินไป

(Translated by Google) From the bus parking lot next to Zipang Charcoal Grilled Meat Jelly, it's about a 30-minute walk one way to the canyon entrance. The scenery along the way is very beautiful. If elderly people have difficulty going up and down the slopes, they can take a taxi (700 yen one way). However, if possible, it's recommended to walk. The autumn leaves are already in bloom, and you can enjoy the canyon views along the way. (Original) 從Zipang 炭火焼肉ジパング旁巴士停車場往(峽谷入口)走，單趟約半小時，一路風景非常漂亮，如果有長者膝蓋沒辦法上下坡，也可以搭計程車(單趟700円) 但可以的話，還是建議盡量自己走，目前已有紅葉，一路也可以看峽谷

(Translated by Google) There are a lot of Chinese people. It's hard to find a parking space. (Original) 中国人多し。 駐車場もなかなか空きません。

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.

Nice fruits and vegetables with fair price. There are different kinds of みかん🍊for guests to have a try

Good place to stop and walk around

(Translated by Google) Other roadside stations are often open before closing time, but this one is closed if you arrive before opening time, so make sure to go after it opens. There are many small snack shops lined up, making it a fun place to visit during long holidays. There's also an area selling Kumamoto souvenirs, and Oguri Chaya, which serves meals and snacks. I had a chestnut and vanilla mixed soft serve there. It was refreshingly sweet and delicious. (Original) 他の道の駅は開店時間前でも割と開いていたりしますが、こちらは時間前に行ったら 開店していないので開店後に行って下さい。 小さな軽食店が軒を連ねていて連休中などは楽しいんじゃないでしょうか。 熊本のお土産品を集めた売り場や、お食事所と軽食を扱っている小栗茶屋もあります。 そちらで栗とバニラのミックスソフトをいただきました。 爽やかな甘さで美味しかったです。

(Translated by Google) We've changed our Satoyama cuisine "Dago Soup" to the up-and-coming "Akagyu" beef! Oguri's chestnut soft serve is also delicious here! ♡ '25/4/5 (Sat) ♏ Here! A suggestion. Menu improvement!! Change "Dago Soup" to "Jumbo Dago Soup" This will make the extra portion and serving size worth the 750 yen, making it a truly "Masimasi" (extra extra) menu! ♏ Mixing is a gamble!? It's effective for softening the strong flavor of the original ingredients (e.g., wasabi soft serve). However, if the ingredients are lightly seasoned, the vanilla (milk) ingredients can dilute the umami of both the ingredients and the soft serve, resulting in a mutually unsatisfactory outcome. In this case, the vanilla and chestnut flavors complement each other without compromising each other's individuality, creating a beautiful melody that I think is worthy of applause. *Since roadside station Kahoku Ogurigo is open 24 hours a day, please understand that meals, photography, etc. will be available during the trial run (preview) period on Wednesday, April 2nd. Today, you will only be able to stop by to get your stamp book filled. 🗾Kyushu & Okinawa Stamp Rally📙008 🚗Saturday, April 5, 2025 🕙9:52 PM ◀️Wednesday, April 2, 2025 🕞3:07 PM (📷️①) 🍦Vanilla & Chestnut Mix Soft Serve 450 yen [Petit Cafe Oguri no Ki] (📷️②) 🥩Mini Akagyudon Set Meal 1,600 yen 🥢Dago Soup Substitute 750 yen [Akagyu Shokudo Yokayoka] (📷️③) (^o^)／Stamp Book Stamping •••4/5 (📷️④) 🧑‍✈️Thank you very much to all our customers who used the service from "Roadside Station Asahishi, Asahishi Village Community Center, Ltd." Thank you for riding the Roadside Station Kyushu Fukukuma Line today. This service is a spring special train, visiting roadside stations in Kumamoto and Fukuoka prefectures for two days only. We will now move from Kumamoto to Fukuoka. We hope you will continue your ride and enjoy the ride. Our next stop is Tachibana Roadside Station. ♏« Roadside Station Tour: My Rules #8 »♏ ★★★Analog Collection Edition★★★ 🚗　ーPART 1 Clear Fileー 🚗 In a world where we can collect, manage, and view all kinds of data on our smartphones, I'm a staunch analog lover. Roadside station merchandise? The nine areas are color-coded (Kyushu and Okinawa are red), and the clear folders are organized by prefecture. Brochures, stamps, receipts, meal tickets, chopstick wrappers, shopping bags, wrapping paper, and more from the roadside stations I visited are carefully arranged and pasted into them. My goal is to create a bookshelf reminiscent of a library. (Original) 里山料理“だご汁”から、新進気鋭“あか牛” に衣替え！ここで味わってこその、小栗の マロンソフトもよかよか♡ ’25/４/５(土) ♏ハイ！提案です。メニューの改善です!! ”だご汁変更“→”ジャンボだご汁に変更“ これなら、増量も器も750円も納得の、 マシマシ(増し増し)メニューに変身だぁ!? ♏ミックスは博打!?元の素材の強味を 緩和させる為には有効(わさびソフト等) だが、素材の味付けが薄味の場合には、 バニラ(牛乳)成分が素材と自身の旨味も 薄めてしまい、共倒れ状態になる事も。 今回の場合は、バニラとマロンが互いの 個性を損なう事無く、旨味を尊重しあい 美しい旋律を完成させた、拍手喝采の 至極のミックスソフトだと想います。 ※『道の駅鹿北 小栗郷』は、24時間 スタンプ押印が可能なので、食事•撮影 等は試運転(下見)期間の４月２日(水)に 行い、本日はスタンプブック押印のみ の立ち寄りになっている事に、御理解 及び御了承をお願い致します。 🗾九州•沖縄 スタンプラリー📙008 🚗2025年４月５日(土) 🕙21時52分 ◀️2025年４月２日(水) 🕞15時07分 (📷️①) 🍦バニラ＆マロンミックスソフト 450円 【ぷちかふぇ おぐりの樹】(📷️②) 🥩ミニあか牛丼定食 1,600円 🥢だご汁変更 750円 【あか牛食堂 よかよか】(📷️③) (^o^)／スタンプブック押印•••4/5(📷️④) 🧑‍✈️『道の駅旭志 有限会社旭志村ふれあい センター』から御利用のお客様、大変 お疲れ様でございました。 本日は、「道の駅•九州 福熊線」御乗車 頂きまして、誠に有難うございます。 なお今回の運行は、春の臨時列車として 「熊本県」及び「福岡県」の道の駅を、 ２日間限定で訪問しております。道の駅 巡りは、これより熊本県から福岡県へと 移動して参ります。この後も引き続き 御乗車されてお楽しみ頂ければ幸いです。 次の停車駅は、『道の駅•たちばな』です。 ♏« 道の駅 巡り My ルール その８ »♏ ★★★アナログ•コレクション編★★★ 🚗　ーPART 1　クリアファイルー　🚗 スマホであらゆるデータを収集•管理• 閲覧が出来る現し世に、私は逆らう位の アナログ派である。道の駅グッズ？を ９つのエリア毎に色分け(九州•沖縄は赤) した県別のクリアファイルに、訪れた 道の駅のパンフレット,スタンプ,レシート ,食券,箸袋,レジ袋,包装紙等をバランス 良く配置して貼り付けています。図書館 の様な本棚の完成を目指しています。

(Translated by Google) 11/10/25 069 This was a long roadside station along Route 325. The parking lot was zoned. The restroom building was clean and had washlet toilets. There didn't seem to be any trash cans. The store was closed, so it's unclear what the store was like. (Original) 25/11/10 069 325号線沿いに有る横に長い道の駅でした。駐車場はゾーン分けされていました。トイレ棟はウオシュレットトイレで綺麗でした。ゴミ箱は無いようでした。店舗は時間外の為不明です。

(Translated by Google) The Akagyu beef bowl 🐃 looks delicious 🥸 This time of year, they also have chestnut parfaits and soft serve ice cream 🍦 😊 (Original) あか牛牛丼🐃美味しそうです🥸 この時期は栗を使ったパフェやソフトクリーム🍦もありました😊

(Translated by Google) October and November are chestnut season, so this roadside station is filled with chestnuts. There is also an abundance of other fruits, such as persimmons and mandarin oranges. (Original) 10～11月は栗のシーズンなので、この道の駅は栗づくしとなります。他にも渋柿やみかんなど果物が豊富になります。

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

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.

I visited Koura Taisha Shrine on a Friday in August 2025, right in the summer heat. It was super peaceful—just a few foreigners and some locals resting after hiking up the mountain. The road is winding and small, adding a sense of adventure on the way up. The stairs to the shrine are steep and a bit of a workout, but you can take a lift if you’d rather skip the climb. Along the way, you pass traditional wooden buildings and smaller shrines that give the whole area a really authentic, serene vibe. At the top, the main shrine is beautiful, and you can offer a prayer if you’re interested in Shinto traditions. The viewing deck nearby offers a sweeping panorama of Kurume City and the surrounding hills. I bet it’s especially stunning in spring with cherry blossoms or in fall when the leaves turn golden.

I planned to come see the temple and see the city's night lights and the decorative lamps along the way up, but the decorative lamps along the way up were not turned on. I'm not sure if the decorative lamps along the way up are turned on every day.

Such a beautiful shrine, easy to access, wonderful scenery. Must visit place if u re in Kurume City

Highly recommend for travellers who will rent a car in fukuoka. Very nice shrine in the area, and it is close to Tosu outlet, and in between Kumamoto and Fukuoka, good spot in between.

A very beautiful and peaceful shrine. We visited it in the early hours of the morning and the air was fresh and invigorating. The atmosphere was silent but full of promises. I recommend taking the family here for a visit.

The buildings are built as if they were assembled from blocks of wood and do not use nails. This is a way of avoiding collapse in earthquake-prone Japan. It is wonderful to see this technique, called KIGUMI, up close. At Kora Taisha, lanterns are lit only in August; August 29, 2025

Posting my experience so you can learn from my mistakes lol my friend and I visited this shrine around 4pm, it took us an hour to get to the top. You go through some streets in a small college town (lots of students) then pretty much it’s residential and super quiet. Google Maps will have you go through the forest with lots of rock steps and it’s shady. Kinda scary if you’re just alone lol. This path will take you straight to the shrine but if you take the road way instead on the left, it’ll take you to the bottom of the stairs of the shrine instead. It’s a bit longer but easier. There are no lights until August! And no taxis but there was a taxi driver waiting for a passenger because they called ahead. I recommend doing that. Overall the shrine is beautiful and the views is amazing. You get a sense of victory getting there.

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!

Nice farmer’s market here. Lots of fresh ingredients.

Love the local dessert from the farm station, then a walk at the mustard farm. Awesome hour spent :)

This place was packed with locals shopping for fresh produce at 9am on Sunday. Persimmon and Nashi were in season so there were many fruits from different producers.

cool

Fresh fruits and vegetables😊👍

Local fresh food (mainly fruit and vegetable) market, plenty parking spaces.

Great place for a stop. Has toilets and a small restaurant if u want to eat. Fresh fruits and veg too

Worth coming for the little stores that carries crafted goods. There are also stores that sold sake bottles.

This is like Kyoto that hasn’t been discovered yet. A quaint little heritage town that hasn’t gotten its fame, but the simplicity of its style has huge potentials in future growths.

Good for visit 1-2 hours.

It's a small market but has enough shops to look around and shop. It was interesting to watch traditional drum performance which was unexpected. It's quite a long performance but end of that, you can join the session that allows you to participate to play the drum under the performance team's instruction which I missed out.

We went here for the festival with lanterns on November 11, 2023. The evening is not typical on most days and I believe shops are closed at 5-6 pm. However, the street is a heritage area though the town is not well known.

It's not so crowded during weekdays. Most of the shops are selling souvenirs.

Nice old shopping street. Lots of shops selling wooden clog shoes. The Sui cheesecake roll is really good too!

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.

It’s a unique experience, a small village in the middle of the mountains, all houses basically dedicated to the craft, you see then drying the products outside and the shops are inside their homes. Such a local feel, the price range is reasonable with some going cheaper and some more pricey. They got a small free local museum, all the stuff inside is in Japanese though but nice enough to look at. The parking lot by the museum isn’t the biggest, it was quite empty when I got there around 9:30 am but completely full when I left around 11 am. Guess it depends on season and weather but it doesn’t seem like there are any other parking spots around so I suggest arriving earlier if you’re driving :))

We went on a rainy day so we only went to two shops, but the potteries are so nice, we bought some beautiful tea cups. The shops are unattended and you need to ring the bell if you want to buy. They are professional craftsmen busy working in the workshops, not professional customer service employees, so don't be a jerk going in.

Am a potter hence wanted to visit this place to possibly make some ceramics or buy some unique pieces. However, there were probably only 4-5 shops that were opened, with many store owners being quite nonchalant and products were limited. Not as wide of a range as one would’ve expected. Interesting to still see how they pound the yellow clay using the force of the water. Love the cute (and only food store) soba and udon shop!

When art, tradition, and nature seamlessly fuse, the resulting uniqueness establishes an identity of its own. Originality can't be replicated nor transferred; it exclusively resides within the soul of the creator. This is what it is.

A village dedicated to pottery. Serene and tranquil, located in the middle of mountain and forest. Really nice walking in the village and admiring all the pottery items.

Caught bus from bus station worth doing for scenery and the really interesting story of the pottery village and how it’s made. Needless to say we purchased some pottery which is very reasonably priced.

Beautiful, quiet and a great range of high quality traditional pottery. Items are mostly 1000yen and up (each). If you know what you are interested in and need a beautiful addition to your tableware, you will find it here. Spend just under 10000yen on 5 items.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).