Mount Aso Full Day Tour
Joined 2025
Join me for a full-day tour of Mount Aso, the most active volcano in Japan. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop and capture photos or videos of anything that catches your eye. With a 4x4 SUV, we will be able to access places that tour buses are not capable of.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
- Your hotel or Airbnb.
Honda Motorcycle Factory
Passing by the famous Honda Factory, known for producing motorbikes for the world.
Mori No Kyokai
Passing Mori No Kyokai (The Forest Church).
Daikambo
Depending on our departure time from the Observatory, we’ll visit Daikambo, which offers the best panoramic views of the Aso Caldera between 10:30am and 10:40am
Mount Aso
Arrive at Mount Aso Volcano. We’ll park the car and walk to the crater. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Lunch time: Traveling back to the city
After leaving Mount Aso, we can stop by a 7-Eleven for some food, the 7-elevens here are more like a restaurant on the go with great food choices.
Musashi Park.
Visit Musashi Park, the most probable burial site of the greatest samurai in history.
Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵, c. 1584 – June 13, 1645), also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was an expert Japanese swordsman and Rōnin.
Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent swordsmanship in numerous duels, even from a very young age. He was the founder of the Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū or Niten-ryū style of swordsmanship and the author of The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書 Go Rin No Sho), a book on strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today.
Back to your hotel.
Return to your hotel/Airbnb.
Ending Point
At your hotel or Airbnb
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
Private driving guide.
Nissan Extrail SUV.
Fuel fee.
Transportation fee.
Lunch $10 per person.
Parking fee $15.
Tour Important Information
This tour includes a private guide and driver, with plenty of walking involved, so comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended. Please note that all the photos featured in these tours were taken at specific times of the day, night, and during particular seasons. Depending on the time of year you visit, the locations may appear different. Above all, you can expect an unforgettable experience in Kumamoto.
Important message from the supplier
It’s very important that you inform me of any food allergies you may have. This way, I can make sure to notify the restaurant staff and ensure your safety and comfort.
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
Joined 2025
About Tour Guide Steve R.
Hello! I'm Steve and I’m originally from Sydney, Australia, but I’ve lived in Kumamoto City for the past 28 years. I hold a Gold license. I’d love to take you on a tour of some of the region’s most historic and stunning sites. I took my profile picture on the balcony of my home, which sits high on a hill, offering great views of the city both day and night, with majestic mountain ranges in the distance.
I was a school teacher here for 25 years, starting in Japanese public schools before transitioning to an American institution.
I understand that when traveling abroad, many people prefer a local tour guide. While I wasn’t born in Japan, after nearly three decades here, I consider myself as local as it gets! Not only can I share insights about the local culture, but I can also offer a unique perspective as a foreigner who has grown to love this country as my own.
With our comfortable 4x4 full leather interior SUV, we’ll explore hidden gems that typical tour buses can’t reach, making your experience even more special.
On our way to the sites, I’ll describe anything that catches your eye so you don’t miss a thing. I know that returning back from a great trip can feel like the end of something special, so if there’s anything I can do to make the ride more enjoyable, just let me know. On the way back, feel free to play any music you like on the BOSE sound system in the car.
Reviews
Richard H.
“The Best Day!”
What to say, it was an amazing day and experience. I don’t think we stopped talking the entire trip. We saw the active volcano and a dormant volcano, some waterfalls, and amazing history in between. The guide was also kind enough to stop at amazing restaurant so I could try some Kobe, chicken, and other steaks. It was the most amazing day of my trip by far! He was also kind enough to hold steady for me as our ship and everyone on it had to clear customs. We still got it done with time to spare for a fantastic afternoon nap. I would use him again ten times out of ten. Thank you!
Steve R.
Thank you, Richard! What a beautiful drive toward the volcano, at one point, we passed through a mist that looked like something straight out of a video game or a movie. We drove right through it and made it all the way to the crater. Thank you so much for lunch, the beef was incredibly tender and juicy! The restaurant is called Nabeshima, in case you’d like to visit it again while you're in Tokyo.
Lorraine T.
“Lovely Tour”
I booked this tour on behalf of my relatives and they absolutely enjoyed themselves! As we were unable to secure boat bookings for the Takachiho Gorge, Steve very kindly brought them to visit another sight with natural springs. Steve also demonstrated deep knowledge of the sights within Kumamoto. I will definitely recommend and engage Steve again should anyone else be visiting Kumamoto.
Steve R.
Thank you for your kind words, Lorraine! It was a pleasure taking your relatives on the tour. I’m sure by now they’ve shared the wonderful photos they took during their visit. Hopefully next time, you and your whole family can come together to experience this beautiful city in person. :)
Arnau G.
“Great Tour with Steve – Plan Ahead for Figure Shopping”
Steve was great. He picked us up perfectly on time. The car was very comfortable and clean. He accommodated an alternative route to go through all 10 statues. He explained a lot about the Kumamoto area and stopped at different viewpoints to admire and take some pictures too. We couldn’t buy all the figures since some places were closed: we arrived too early for Jinbe; Sanji, Chopper and Robin selling points were closed due to an unusual day off to make up for previous Golden Week festivity. I’d say that if you just want to visit the statues and take pictures, any day works. If you plan to buy all figures, make sure to tell Steve and (double and triple) check the days (and opening hours) of the selling points beforehand, and plan accordingly. Nevertheless, we could get two of the missing figures on our own, and Steve offered to drive us to the remaining ones another day, which made our day, and we left Kumamoto happy with all of them. I can only recommend Steve for a tour around Kumamoto.
Steve R.
Thank you both for the wonderful review! I’m sure you’ll find the perfect shelf at home for all the statues. Even though it wasn’t easy collecting them all, you both persevered and completed the mission! Enjoy the rest of your trip in Japan, you still have so much more to see! :). If I ever play COD online, I’ll be watching out for you!!!
$348/ per group
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