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.
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
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Private driving guide.
Nissan Extrail SUV.
Fuel fee.
Transportation fee.
Lunch $10 per person.
Parking fee $15.
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.
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.
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.
Sonam Z.
“Seamless, Fun, and Insightful Tour Experience!”
We booked Steve to guide us through the Mugiwara statues in Kumamoto, and it was the best decision we made for our trip. He made everything easy and seamless, timing the visits perfectly so we could see them all without rushing. Steve was incredibly patient, kind, and easy to talk to, with a great sense of humor that made the day even more fun. We especially loved the stories and local insights he shared from his own experience living in Kumamoto — things we never would have learned otherwise. If you’re visiting Kumamoto and want to enjoy the statues stress-free, Steve is absolutely the guide you want!
Steve R.
Thank you so much for your review, you were both such a pleasure to drive around Kumamoto. You were my first group from Bhutan, you have made your country PROUD
Kim R.
“One Piece Bronze Statue solo tour”
Steve was awesome! Very knowledgeable about Kumamoto, it's history and it's surroundings. Since we went on a Sunday, the government building was closed but Steve was thoughtful enough to purchase the Luffy bronze statue ahead of time so I wouldn't miss out. I really appreciated that! It did feel a little rushed at times, but I still had an amazing time! I would definitely book another tour with him.
Steve R.
Hi Kim! Thank you for choosing me for the tour. We had some pretty good laughs, choose a nice shelf at home for your new ONE PIECE STATUES!
Ben B.
“A fantastic trip across Kumamoto”
Steve is a fantastic guide and an interesting person. He is a good driver, and got us to see all the statues in a short time. Would 100% recommend Steve's tour to any One Piece fan.
Steve R.
Thank you Ben! We had an awesome day and pretty much for lucky with the rain. Saw all 10 statues, see I can count as I'm a CPA haha!
$406/ per group