Takachiho Gorge & Scenic Railway Experience – Comfortable Private Car Tour
Extend your journey with my tours, enjoy multi-day discount. Please message me before booking.
Enjoy a well-paced private day trip to Takachiho, blending dramatic natural scenery with relaxing, easy experiences. Ride the Takachiho Amaterasu Scenic Railway for panoramic views of gorges and mountains, then have lunch near Takachiho Gorge and walk along its iconic cliffs and waterfalls. Optional rental boats offer a close-up view of Manai Falls, all enjoyed by private car with your dedicated guide.
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 3 hours including 2 bathroom breaks
Takachiho Amaterasu Railway
Takachiho Amaterasu Railway is a scenic sightseeing railway built on a former local rail line in the Takachiho area. Open-air cars carry passengers across dramatic bridges and through tunnels, offering panoramic views of steep gorges and lush mountains. The highlight is crossing a high railway bridge, where the sense of height and openness creates a thrilling yet relaxing experience. With a short, easy ride and minimal walking, it’s an ideal, family-friendly way to enjoy Takachiho’s natural scenery in comfort.
- Estimated stay time: 1 hour
- Admission Fees: 2,300 JPY (Per Adult)
Estimated travel time: 10 minutes
Lunch Time at Takachiho Gorge
You can choose from noodle dishes such as soba and somen, as well as Japanese-style yakiniku (barbecue).
Takachiho Gorge
A beautiful and mysterious gorge where you can feel the history of the earth.
A gorge with towering cliffs formed by the cooling and erosion of pyroclastic flows that erupted during volcanic activity at Mount Aso long ago.
Takachiho Three Bridges
"Takachiho Three Bridges" is a popular photo spot on the Takachiho Gorge promenade. You can see a panoramic view of the different arch bridges, and it is said to be the only place in Japan where you can see three arch bridges in one place in one gorge.
Manai Falls (Optional Rental Boats: Advance booking recommended at least two weeks in advance)
This famous waterfall has been designated as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan, and the way it falls from a height of about 17 meters onto the water surface is a sight that symbolizes Takachiho Gorge.
-Facility Admission fees
If you request cruising boat at Takachiho goat] 4100 to 5100 JPY (Capacity: 3 people, no boatman, 30 minutes
Estimated travel time to next location: 2.5 hours plus 2 bathroom breaks
Farewell time: Your Hotel in Fukuoka City
I would appreciate your understanding that the arrival time may be delayed due to traffic congestion. Traffic congestion is expected around Fukuoka at this time due to the cars and public transport of local business people.
See you again:)
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
-My own private car (8-seater van “Nissan Serena”)
Non-smoking vehicle
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
Front passenger seat with a sliding function for wheelchair users
-Gasoline fee
-Parking fee
-Expressway tolls (Fukuoka Urban Expressway and Kyushu Expressway)
-Free Apple Music and Netflix
-Guide gratuity
-Cost of meals (guide and customers)
-Facility Admission fees (guide and customers);
**Takachiho Amaterasu Railway**
Admission Fees: 2,300 JPY (Per Adult)
**If you request cruising boat at Takachiho Gorge**
Admission Fees: 4100 to 5100 JPY (Capacity: 3 people, no boatman, 30 minutes)
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 7 guests comfortably.
If your group has 8 or 9 guests, please contact me in advance — I can arrange a rental van (Toyota Hiace Grand Cabin) upon request and provide a customized quote.
Unfortunately, I’m not licensed to operate tours for 10 guests or more, so larger groups cannot be accommodated.
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
Grace P.
“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.
Susie W.
“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.
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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
Scott L.
“Extremely Friendly and Thoughtful”
Katsuhisa kept in regular contact with us leading up to the tour and allowed us to customize the tour to include the Miyajidake Shrine. When the forecast called for rain in the morning, Katsu rearranged the order of the tour so that we weren't too affected, and we even made it back to catch the sunset on the Path of Light. Beppu was very interesting and we enjoyed our lunch cooked by the onsen stream. His car is new and comfortable. We would highly recommend Katsu as your tour guide.
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Katsu N.
Dear Scott and Fanta, /// Thank you very much for joining the tour and for your kind review. /// I was very happy that we were able to adjust the itinerary together in advance and include Miyajidake Shrine in your visit. I’m also glad that you were able to see the sunset on the “Path of Light.” By rearranging the order of the tour based on the weather forecast, we were fortunate to visit at a good time. /// I’m pleased to hear that you enjoyed Beppu’s Jigoku hot springs and the lunch cooked with the natural onsen steam. /// If you visit Japan again, I would be delighted to guide you to other parts of Kyushu as well. I hope to see you again in the future. /// Thank you again for traveling with me. /// Katsuhisa
$754/ per group
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