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.
Patricia H.
“Highly Recommended for One Piece Fans!”
Steve was on time and helped us with all our requests. Visiting all 10 statues within 7.5 hours was not easy and he made it easy for us. We got to see all crew members, took pictures with them, and bought all miniature statues we wanted. On top of that we also learned a bunch of stories from the 2016 earthquake. Highly recommended.
Peter J.
“High quality tour”
Steve is an excellent friendly guide. The tour really showed the Japanese country side, not just the direct route to volcano, we went the scenic route, so I got to experience the Japanese country side. Steve went out of his way to make this a good day trip, I can really recommend him.
Steve R.
Hey Peter! Thank you for such a great day. We had great conversations throughout the trip. I'm glad you enjoyed the real Japanese countryside. Maybe some day I'll be able to visit your country!!
Pirmin T.
“Strawhat Chase”
Steve was an excellent guide! He was funny, friendly, and very thoughtful – even buying statues in advance from shops that were closed on our tour day so we wouldn’t miss out. Everything felt relaxed and enjoyable, and I’d highly recommend him to anyone visiting Kumamoto.
Steve R.
Hey! Thank you for your kind review. It was such a pleasure having you as guests on this trip. Other guides should also know how wonderful you were. Buying the statues for you in advance was no problem at all, I needed you to go home with a full collection!!!. I hope our paths cross again :-)
$395/ per group