Kumamoto Earthquake Legacy: Castle, Suizenji Garden & More Sites – 1 Day from Fukuoka
Extend your journey with my tours and enjoy multi-day discount. Please message me before booking
Discover Kumamoto’s heritage and resilience on this private day tour. Explore the iconic Kumamoto Castle, learning how the 2016 earthquake reshaped its walls. Stroll through the serene Suizenji Garden, then witness the dramatic Futa River Fault scarp at Tanigawa. Conclude at the Aso Bridge Observatory, overlooking the new bridge built after the disaster—a journey through history, nature, and recovery
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your Hotel in Fukuoka City
- I am located within a 20-minute drive from Fukuoka Airport, Hakata Station, and Hakata Port, so if you book a hotel near these facilities we can ensure a smooth meeting.
Estimated travel time is 2 hours plus 2 bathroom breaks
Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s most impressive fortresses, is renowned for its towering stone walls and elegant black-and-white keeps. Severely damaged in the 2016 earthquake, it has become a powerful symbol of resilience. Nearly ¥5.6 billion (approx. USD 37 million) has been spent over about 10 years on repairs, yet full restoration is expected to take another 30 years—offering insight into traditional construction, advanced restoration techniques, and the city’s enduring spirit.
Admission Fee
- Adult: ¥800
- Elementary & junior high school students : ¥300
- Preschool children: Free
Lunch Time
Kumamoto is a large city, so I can flexibly choose restaurants to accommodate dietary restrictions and specific requests.
Suizenji Jojuen Garden
Suizenji Jojuen Garden, a traditional Japanese landscape garden completed in the 17th century, was originally built by the Hosokawa clan. Designed as a strolling garden around a spring-fed pond, it features miniature representations of famous Japanese landscapes, including a small Mount Fuji. Seasonal flowers, pine trees, and elegant teahouses create a serene atmosphere. The garden has been fully restored after past earthquake damage, so this stop focuses purely on its scenic and cultural beauty.
Admission Fee
- Adult (16 and over): ¥400
- Child (ages 6–15): ¥200
The Futagawa–Hinagu Fault Zone
The Futagawa–Hinagu Fault Zone, over 100 km long, is Kyushu’s largest active fault system and the source of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. A ~40 km surface rupture created a striking example of strike-slip faulting. In the Tanigawa area, preserved former farmland shows original entrance tiles and a partially collapsed barn, vividly conveying the earthquake’s impact and offering rare, tangible insight into seismic geology.
The Shin Aso Ohashi Bridge
The Shin Aso Ohashi Bridge, opened in 2021, stands as a symbol of recovery after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes destroyed the original span. Located in Minamiaso, the new bridge stretches 525 meters across a dramatic gorge, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. From the observatory, visitors can see both the modern engineering achievement and the preserved remains of the old bridge piers, a striking contrast between loss and renewal.
Estimated travel time to next location: 2 hours included 1 bathroom break
Your Hotel in Fukuoka
Ending Point
Your Hotel in Fukuoka City
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
-I will be both the guide and the driver.
-Free mobile Wi-Fi
-Free Apple Music and Netflix
-My own private car (5-seater van "SUBARU JUSTY")
-Gasoline fee
-Parking fee
-Expressway tolls (Fukuoka Urban Expressway and Kyushu Expressway)
-Guide gratuity
-Cost of meals (guide and customers)
-Facility Admission fees (guide and customers)
**Kumamoto Castle**
- Adult: ¥800
- Elementary & junior high school students : ¥300
- Preschool children: Free
**Suizenji Jojuen Garden**
- Adult (16 and over): ¥400
- Child (ages 6–15): ¥200
Tour Important Information
1.If you want to do cashless payments on your entire itinerary, please let me know in advance. I will need to have a payment machine ready.
2. Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
3. Extra time is assumed, but it is an itinerary that will be difficult to proceed if the meeting time is delayed. I hope we can meet on time:)
4. My car can accommodate up to 4 guests. If you are a group of 5 or more, please contact me so that I can arrange a rental-car tour;
5-7 guests +33,000yen (8 person van)
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Katsu N.
Hi, I’m glad you found my page!
I’m a local guide based in Kyushu who loves sharing the region’s history, food, and landscapes in a relaxed and friendly way. Think of me as someone who can make your trip comfortable and memorable, while keeping things easygoing and fun.
I began guiding to share the history, scenery, and food of my home with visitors from around the world. Before this, I worked in luxury retail, where I learned how important details and genuine hospitality are. Now I bring that same spirit to my tours, making sure every guest feels comfortable, cared for, and free to enjoy their journey.
I specialize in private car tours around Kyushu, so you don’t have to worry about train schedules or carrying luggage. We can stop where you like, take things at your own pace, and enjoy the scenery along the way. Onboard you’ll have free Wi-Fi, music, and a comfortable ride—perfect for families, couples, or friends who want both convenience and a touch of luxury.
Some of my favorite places to share are:
Nagasaki: Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, and the city’s cultural blend
Fukuoka: Dazaifu Shrine, city highlights, and Yanagawa’s river cruise with eel dishes
Kumamoto: Mt. Aso’s volcanic views, Kumamoto Castle, and Kurokawa Onsen
Oita: Hita’s riverside town, plus Beppu and Yufuin hot springs
Saga: Arita’s ceramics and the Yoshinogari ancient site
Takachiho Gorge: A mystical canyon tied to Japanese legends
What I enjoy most is helping guests discover both famous sights and hidden corners of Kyushu, while keeping the experience comfortable and stress-free. Whether you’re drawn to culture, food, history, or beautiful scenery, I can adjust the plan to match your style.
I’d love to share my part of Japan with you and create memories that last long after your trip. If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to send me a message. I look forward to welcoming you to Kyushu and showing you what makes this region so special!
Reviews
Jacob M.
“Exploring Kyushu off the beaten track”
We were interested in the period between 1850 to 1900 during Japan modernization as well as exploring the beautiful Kyushu geography. Katsu did a lot of research to make sure we went to Hagi castle as well as some of the houses of the Samurai who helped in the revolution. He also made sure we had a great lunch within our dietary guidelines. We used translations on occasion to augment his English
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Katsu N.
Hi Jack and Jennifer,/// Thank you very much for posting the review. And regarding the language, my apologies for the light mistakes. /// Hagi and Taketa are not areas I usually cover, and since my major was geography, I did my best with the research. However, some of the historical terms did not fully stick in my head, so I may have caused some inconvenience. However, I believe there were no language issues in places like Mt. Aso and Takachiho, so I would appreciate your understanding. /// I will continue in my reply to the Nagasaki tour review.
Jacob M.
“Amazing ceramics and pottery trip plus Glover Garden”
This is our second trip with Katsu and he adapted the itinerary based on our interest. We are more interested in Japanese culture and the Glover history
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Katsu N.
Hi Jack and Jennifer,/// While talking at the coffee shop in the morning, we were able to sketch out a draft of the itinerary, and then we fine-tuned the details improvisationally as we moved along. I was relieved that, in the end, you were able to enjoy the sunset view at Glover Garden./// Actually, there was one more place I wanted to take you. It is a reservation-only ceramic painting gallery where a professional gives a one-on-one explanation of the pieces on display. So when we meet again, I would love to guide you there./// I look forward to seeing you both again.
Silke und oliver K.
“Katsu ist der beste Tourführer”
Katsu ist die beste Wahl für eine privat geführte Tour, da wir keine Lust darauf hatten mit vielen anderen Personen (meist Chinesen) eine Tour zu unternehmen. Eine andere Tour hat dies bestätigt, denn sobald die meisten der Personen nicht englisch spricht, macht es keinen Spaß mehr. Ab der Buchung der Tour mit Katsu, waren wir regelmäßig in Kontakt mit ihm und konnten sagen was wir gerne sehen wollen um die Tour so individuell wie möglich für uns zu machen. Katsu war schon vor uns da und erwartete uns. Er führte uns zu seinem Fahrzeug, das sehr geräumig war. Das Fahrzeug war bequem ausgestattet, mit Sitzkissen, Decken, einer kleinen Kühlbox mit Getränken und seiner bebilderten mit Text versehenen Begrüßung zum Nachlesen, sowie perfekter Musik. Die Fahrt führte uns aus der Stadt hinaus, über den Highway in Richtung Kumamoto zum Mt. Aso. Katsu führte uns zu den grünen Wiesen (Kusasenri-Grasland), und erkundigte sich bei der Parkverwaltung ob der Krater auch geöffnet ist. Nachdem die Parkverwaltung grünes Licht gab, denn das Wetter war sehr windig und mit etwas Regen versehen, ging es nach oben auf den Berg. Der Berg war sehr beeindruckend. Für das geplante Mittagsessen hatten wir uns für Rahmen entschieden. Leider war ausgerechnet an diesem Tag das Lokal geschlossen. Die Alternative war ein kleines Privathaus in dem der Besitzer in seinem Wohnzimmer gutes Essen serviert. Die Kommunikation mit Katsu in Englisch war gut, er weiß selber das er etwas mehr englisch üben muss, damit man sich besser versteht. Manchmal ist es etwas schwierig ihn zu verstehen, vor allem wenn er die Wörter im englischen nicht genau kennt, aber mit helfen und langsam sprechen hat das alles perfekt geklappt. Alles in Allem war dies eine perfekt von Katsu organisierte Reise, die wir gerne wiederholen würden. Sollten wir wieder dort sein ist Katsu für uns die erste Wahl für eine private Tour. Katsu, viele Grüße aus Deutschland, wir sehen uns in der Zukunft wieder. Silke und Oliver
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Katsu N.
Dear Silke and Oliver, /// Your feedback truly means a lot to me. /// Thank you very much for your kind and generous words. It took me a little time to reply, as I was reading your message while recalling the bits of German I learned back in university. /// As for English conversation, I sometimes tend to speak too quickly when discussing something technical for the first time. I actually remember getting a bit confused when I tried to explain why Japan’s and Germany’s climates are similar — using Köppen’s climate classification, which I learned long ago in my earth science class. /// That aside, I always take great pride in my hospitality and guest care, so please rest assured that you’ll be in good hands when we meet again. /// Warm regards from Japan, Katsuhisa /// P.S. For the benefit of future guests, I’ve included an English summary of your message below. /// Katsu is the best tour guide and the perfect choice for a private tour. We preferred not to join large groups, and after another experience, we realized how much better it is when everyone speaks English. From the moment we booked, Katsu stayed in touch and tailored the itinerary to our wishes. He was already waiting for us before the tour and guided us to his spacious, comfortable car, prepared with cushions, blankets, drinks, and great music. /// Our drive from Fukuoka to Mt. Aso through Kumamoto was scenic and smooth. Katsu checked with park staff to ensure the crater was open despite wind and rain. The green Kusasenri Grassland and volcanic scenery were breathtaking. When the ramen restaurant we planned to visit was closed, Katsu quickly found a cozy local home where we enjoyed delicious homemade food. /// His English communication was good — sometimes a bit challenging, but always clear with patience and teamwork. Overall, this was a perfectly organized and memorable tour. If we return to Japan, Katsu will be our first choice again.
$703/ per group
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