And we have finally come to the last part of the Solo Traveler's Journal #10 about Japan. It has been a long ride since the first part where I climbed Mt. Fuji!
In this part, I decided to change the pace a little and meet up with a friend whom I hadn't seen for 10 years since school. We decided to meet at the Kumamoto arcade area after I arrived in the city. It was definitely a good change of pace after traveling alone in this country for so long. Since my friend has been an English teacher in the JET program for a year now, a little "local" touch to the trip was more than welcome.
Now the time has come to go on a good old road trip with me and my friends around the Kumamoto prefecture. Enjoy.
- Getting from Kyoto to Kumamoto
- Day 1: Explore Kumamoto and Visiting Kumamoto Castle
- Day 2: Visiting Mt Aso and Kikuchi Gorge
- Day 3: Row a Boat in the Takachiho Gorge
- Getting back to Tokyo from Kumamoto
- More Kumamoto Activities
- Where to Stay in Kumamoto and Aso?
- Japan Travel Video
- What to Pack for Kumamoto, Japan?
- Further Reading for Japan
Getting from Kyoto to Kumamoto
From Kyoto, I took a Shinkansen ride to Shin-Osaka and transferred to the one going towards Nagasaki. In only 3 hours, I arrived in the Kumamoto city area by 4 PM. I walked around the city for a couple of hours and tried to visit the famous Kumamoto castle, but by the time I reached there (5:30 PM), it was already closed.
I highly recommend that you get the JR Pass as you will get the best bang for your buck if you want to travel around Japan on a bullet train. The JR Pass is perfect for those who are planning to travel in Japan for longer than 7 days.
You can get the 7, 14, or 21-day pass, and you will have access to the Shinkansen bullet train nationwide for the duration of your stay at no extra cost. Be sure to order it prior to arriving in Japan as you won't be able to get it while you are in the country. Hit the link below to order one for your trip.
- Kumamoto Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide (6 hours)
- Kumamoto Castle Walking Tour with Local Guide (3 hours)
- Kumamoto Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide (4 hours)
Day 1: Explore Kumamoto and Visiting Kumamoto Castle
My first impression of Kumamoto is that it is a quiet city, especially when compared to Tokyo or Kyoto. It doesn't seem like there is much to do in Kumamoto except visit the castle and a few zen gardens. Most people would just go straight to Mt Aso and the different gorges that surround the area. It would be difficult to travel outside the city without a rented car, but I was lucky since my friend, whom I would be meeting the next day, had already rented a car for the trip.
To make amends, I decided to give the Kumamoto Castle another chance in the morning. I was not disappointed.
Even though everything is rebuilt to match what it looked like in its glorious days, it is still one impressive castle. Definitely one of the best in Japan, in my opinion.
Even the nearby barracks have been beautifully rebuilt. Although, I wish they had kept a few original parts and renovated instead of rebuilding all of it.
There were actors hired to dress as samurais and ninjas for you to take selfies with. Everything seems fake and inauthentic at this point.
That said, I still really enjoyed it. The inside of the castle is a 4-5-story-high museum that shows the history of the place and displays the original parts of the castle.
The view of the barracks from the top of the castle. There were photos of different castles around Japan, and after looking at all of them, I think Kumamoto Castle is the most impressive one.
Nearby, there was another museum that shows the interior of the castle. The details of these rooms are mind-blowing.
After traveling around Japan for more than 10 days, I have come to the conclusion that the Japanese never do half-assed jobs. If they decide to do something, they dedicate their lives to making it perfect.
The room with nothing in it, and yet, I'm still fascinated by it. Weird, huh?
And we finally met each other after 10 years! Say hello to Andrea, Rhi, and Taylor. We drove from Kumamoto city to the Aso town near the foot of the volcano, checked into our hostel, and started preparing for dinner. It was a home away from home. :)
Day 2: Visiting Mt Aso and Kikuchi Gorge
It was getting cloudy outside, and I feared that it might repeat my experience on Mt. Fuji. So, we decided to set off for Mt. Aso in the early morning.
The scenery around Mt Aso does not resemble the landscape I saw from other parts of Japan. It felt more like we were driving in Switzerland or New Zealand.
We were in luck. The sky was open as we approached Mt Aso. Here was the volcano spewing sulfur gas into the atmosphere.
And we arrived at the base in no time. You can either choose to take a cable car for a fee or simply walk up to the crater for free. We walked, and it only took us a couple of minutes. I don't know who would go for the cable car, cramped into a box with several people, instead of walking up, breathing fresh air, and enjoying the scenery. Well, maybe the elderly, but I would recommend you to walk.
Spotted a beautiful Tuscan-style house on our way up.
It was refreshing to have companions traveling together in this strange land. I am grateful!
And here it was, the mighty crater of Mt. Aso.
Here is a landscape that (I assume) was shaped by volcanic activity ages ago.
Our little expedition!
There weren't many things to do up there except stare in wonder at Earth doing its work or maybe buy a huge-ass block of sulfur for your loved ones (who on Earth would do that?).
And so we walked down, tried the best black sesame ice cream ever, and drove back down.
We stopped at this weird-looking mountain before we headed to our next destination, the Kikuchi Gorge.
Kikuchi Gorge is not far from Mt. Aso. We drove for a few hours to Kikuchi town, got lost a couple of times, and luckily found a parking spot in a very limited parking lot.
The gorge consists of 2 walking trails, the short and the long ones, both going in the same direction. You will stumble upon several beautiful waterfalls and rock formations along the way.
Beautiful emerald-colored lake.
One of the most impressive waterfalls in this gorge, hands down.
Not a bad place to picnic, eh?
Selfie time! I had no idea I would enjoy myself so much while traveling with like-minded companions.
As with all nature in Japan, it is very well preserved.
Let's follow Rhi. She was the spearhead of this trip, finding great restaurants and locations, and I couldn't be more grateful for her help.
Kawaii pose is the traditional Japanese pose for when you are being photographed. :)
Little pixies in the woods
Normally, you would see a lot of people in an open area like this, but luck was on our side. It rained heavily, which dwindled the number of tourists down to nonexistent.
Gorgeous Andrea and a dreamy backdrop of the gorge. Definitely one of the best photos I took at the Kikuchi gorge.
Rhi went in barefoot, climbing trees and all. A true explorer. :)
The fact that it was after the rain made this place one of my favorites.
Nothing was between us and nature.
Happy times.
We left the gorge right when the sun was about to set and went off to this very nice café in the middle of the rice field. We ended the day with a little celebration and a tummy full of organic food.
Day 3: Row a Boat in the Takachiho Gorge
At the hostel on the previous day, we were talking about the Takachiho Gorge and how the queue for the boat is ridiculously long (4 hours), so we decided to leave for the gorge in the early morning. We arrived right around 9 AM and the queue was already an hour long.
But it was worth the wait. The cliff lining of the gorge is breathtaking! The emerald-colored lake made the place even more stunning.
Since the river is very narrow, only a limited number of boats are allowed at a time. That is why if you arrive late in the afternoon, you might have to wait for 4 hours for a 6-minute boat ride.
The rock formations around this area look somewhat like a miniature version of formations you see in Iceland.
People were struggling to paddle the boat in a straight line, but in their defense, it wasn't easy. I know this because I myself also struggled. :)
You can walk around the gorge while you wait in the queue. The river is beautiful from all angles.
And now it was time for me to paddle the boat! Since I had to paddle backward, it was impossible to know when you would hit the cliff or other boats. I constantly had to look back and watch out for the waterfall.
The sun was raging that day, so it was nice to stay under the shadow for a change. The collision between the waterfalls and the lake cooled down the place significantly.
Still trying to go straight, but I just couldn't!
A raft of ducks is paddling with us.
Say hi to Simone. She is another JET member living in Miyazaki prefecture. We met up before we got on the boat. She is also a travel blogger, so check out her stuff at SimoneArmer.com.
The view from the river up the cliff is pure magic!
Takachiho Gorge is definitely a good place for a date to test out your relationship. The struggle for paddlers was real.
We were actually planning to go to Misato, a 3333 Stone Steps after the gorge but since my JR Pass ended on that day, I had to make a run for the last train that leaves Kumamoto for Tokyo. Deep down, I knew I wouldn't make it, so instead, I decided to continue whatever plan my friends had for me, and I would figure out my way back to Tokyo later.
We went to an outdoor Onsen near Mt Aso for an hour, drove back to the city, said goodbye to each other, and I ran to the train station hoping to catch a Sunrise Seto overnight train to Tokyo. Unfortunately, that was full, so I decided to go as far as I could with my JR Pass to minimize the cost of going to Tokyo tomorrow. I ended up in Osaka, stayed in one of the hotels near the train station, and crashed for the day.
Getting back to Tokyo from Kumamoto
At first, I was planning to see a little bit of Osaka, but since my JR Pass had already expired, I would need to shell out 13,620+ Yens for the Shinkansen ride back to Tokyo, which took almost all the cash I had in hand. I decided to leave Osaka right away and headed straight to Haneda International Airport and went into hibernation until my flight time at 11 PM.
And that was the end of my trip in Japan. From almost getting killed on Mt. Fuji to running out of cash TWICE in Japan, it was a wild ride that I would never trade for anything else. It was all part of the experience of traveling alone, which continues to shape who I am. I really do believe that the more trouble you run into while traveling, the more humble you will become.
Now, for my next adventure, we will head back to Indonesia once again and attempt to conquer the second highest active volcano in Indonesia, Mt. Rinjani.
Stay tuned for some crazy travel stories from me, and I can guarantee you that there will be some crazy stories!
More Kumamoto Activities
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
Where to Stay in Kumamoto and Aso?
What to Pack for Kumamoto, Japan?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Kumamoto, Japan:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Kumamoto, Japan in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Japan
Looking for more information for your trip to Japan? Here are a collection of articles about Japan that you might find useful:
- For a complete Japan itinerary, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Japan Itinerary.
- Visiting Japan for the first time? Here are a few things I wish I knew before visiting Japan: 13 Important Things To Know Before Visiting Japan.
- Looking for a complete list of things you shouldn't miss when you are traveling in Japan? Check out: 16 Best Things to Do in Japan.
- Want to climb Mount Fuji? Here is a complete guide on how to and not to climb Mount Fuji for a real-life experience.
- What is it like to climb Mount Fuji during a super typhoon? Here's A Backpacking Travel Guide to Mt Fuji and Kawaguchiko.
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Tokyo? Check out: 14 Best Things To Do In Tokyo.
- For a complete itinerary of Tokyo, check out: 3 Days Backpacking Tokyo Itinerary.
- Planning to visit Nikko soon? From hiking to best temples to visit, here are the 10 Best Things To Do In Nikko.
- Another awesome place to visit in Japan for a great view of Mt. Fuji is Hakone. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Hakone.
- A day trip to Hakone from Tokyo is possible, but you need to be smart with your time. Here is a complete One Day Hakone Itinerary From Tokyo.
- Kyoto, the old capital city of Japan, is a one-of-a-kind city that you should not miss. Here are the 16 Best Things To Do In Kyoto.
- For a complete itinerary of Kyoto and Osaka, check out: 3 Days Backpacking Kyoto-Osaka Itinerary.
- There are more to Hiroshima than the war memorial. Here are the 13 Best Things to Do in Hiroshima.
- Not convinced by my words about Japan? Watch this: Just Japan Travel Video.
- Wondering where to go after Japan? How about hopping over to China or visiting the islands of Taiwan or Hong Kong?
- For all articles about Japan, visit the Japan Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to East Asia? Check out all of my articles about East Asia here: East Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
5 Comments
Great photos! And thanks for the link :)
Great photos. I realised I can't find Kikuchi Gorge and Takachiho gorge on google map. Would you be able to give me some advice on how to get to these places? Tks lots!
Which settings did you use on your SLR camera? Great Job :)!
Hey Sorry for the late reply. I don't use SLR. I use point and shoot camera, but the best one available :) RX100. Program auto and post-process in Lightroom
Great writing for travel journey. I felt I was there.