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Fukuoka Private Tour - Collapsed castle wall
Collapsed castle wall
Fukuoka Private Tour - Free mobile Wi-Fi
Free mobile Wi-Fi
Fukuoka Private Tour - My Business Partner "SUBARU JUSTY"
My Business Partner "SUBARU JUSTY"
Fukuoka Private Tour - Fault zone and preserved collapsed barn
Fault zone and preserved collapsed barn
Fukuoka Private Tour - Suizenji Garden
Suizenji Garden
Fukuoka Private Tour - Landslide caused by the earthquake
Landslide caused by the earthquake
Fukuoka Private Tour - Collapsed castle wall
Collapsed castle wall
Fukuoka Private Tour - Suizenji Garden
Suizenji Garden
Fukuoka Private Tour - Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle
Fukuoka Private Tour - Suizenji Garden
Suizenji Garden
Fukuoka Private Tour - Fault zone and preserved collapsed barn
Fault zone and preserved collapsed barn
Fukuoka Private Tour - Newly built torii gate after complete destruction
Newly built torii gate after complete destruction
Fukuoka Private Tour - Collapsed castle wall
Collapsed castle wall
Fukuoka Private Tour - Compact yet spacious interior
Compact yet spacious interior
Fukuoka Private Tour - Compact yet spacious interior
Compact yet spacious interior
Fukuoka Private Tour - Thumbnail photo
Thumbnail photo

Kumamoto Earthquake Legacy: Castle, Suizenji Garden & More Sites – 1 Day from Fukuoka

Car Tour (driving guide)
Fukuoka Tour Guide - Katsu N.

Joined 2024

Katsu N.
4.93 / 5
(27 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Fukuoka
English, Japanese (Native)
10 hours
Private tour (only you and Katsu N.)
Up to 4 people

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!

08:00 AM

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

10:30 AM

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

12:00 PM

Lunch Time

Kumamoto is a large city, so I can flexibly choose restaurants to accommodate dietary restrictions and specific requests.

01:00 PM

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

02:30 PM

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.

03:40 PM

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.

04:00 PM

Estimated travel time to next location: 2 hours included 1 bathroom break

06:00 PM

Your Hotel in Fukuoka

Ending Point

Your Hotel in Fukuoka City

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

-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

What‘s not included

-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
Fukuoka Tour Guide - Katsu N.

Joined 2024

Katsu N.
4.93 / 5
(27 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

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

Amazing Cruise Excursion in Nagasaki

It was our first time visiting Nagasaki and we hired Mr Katsu as our local guide. I can say that he was very knowledgable, experienced and respectful. He prepared a good itinerary for us that perfectly aligned with our schedule. We were on a cruise and he made sure that we got back to our ship with ample time. Aside from taking us to important places, he also gave a brief history of the place that make the visit more meaningful. He speaks english though not fluently, but you can see his effort to convey his message across. His transport vehicle was clean, he driving was ok. He was fhoughtful because at the time of our visit, the cherries were not yet full bloom so he arranged a fresh flower arrangement inside his car. He was also our tour guide in Fukuoka. He took us to a restaurant where locals eat and we had a great lunch The cost of his service was reasonable. Highly recommended.

Grace P.

Katsu N.

Thank you very much for joining my tours in Nagasaki and Fukuoka. /// I am very glad to hear that you were satisfied with the experience. /// Especially in Nagasaki, as the history and religious background can be quite complex, I try to guide with easy-to-understand materials from multiple perspectives. /// In particular, for the Atomic Bomb Museum, I continuously update my explanations through daily study, so there may be times when my English expressions are not always fluent. /// Regarding the meals, I have built up strong local knowledge over the years, so I’m very happy that you enjoyed the dining experience as well. /// I would be delighted to guide you in many other regions, and I look forward to seeing you again in the future. /// Katsuhisa

Powerful Whirlpools & Cherry Blossoms.

We spent a very interesting day with Katsu as our driver and tour guide, driving for approximately 1.5 hours out of Nagasaki. We especially enjoyed the drive to the Saikaibashi Park Walk Deck followed by the Cherry Blossoms. Katsu provided a number of photo stops in Nagasaki at Megan’s Bridge, Peace Park and others on the way to the Whirlpools. We had a traditional Japanese lunch at Nagasaki Fisheries Restaurant with the help of Katsu. Thank you Katsu for a very interesting and happy day from Nagasaki and for answering our many questions. Susie, Rob, Jilly and Hugh. Australia.

Susie W.

Katsu N.

Hello everyone, /// Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I truly appreciate it. /// Today’s route was a newly designed tour, and you were the very first guests, so I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed it. /// In addition to Nagasaki, I can also guide you to many other wonderful places in Japan, so please feel free to contact me when you visit again. /// I look forward to seeing you again someday. /// Katsuhisa

Want to Personalize?

$690/ per group

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