Explore Kumamoto

02/11/2026

The Kuju mountains are the first place to see autumn colours in Kyushu, so yesterday I headed to the Chojabaru plateau to climb Mt Taisen (1787m). Sadly my timing was a little off, the autumn foliage has already finished and in the lower areas like Chojabaru is just beginning. (I also set off too late and didn't make it quite to the top as I didn't want to be hiking down alone in the dark) However it was a great day for a hike, the susuki grass looked amazing and the views outstanding.

If you fancy hiking in Kuju it's definitely best to have a car, if it's a sunny weekend go early as the carparks fill up fast. Be prepared for weather changes and fill in a form at the trail head before you set off. A lot of people hike up to Bogatsuru Moor (around 2 hours from Chojabaru) where you can camp or spend a night at the highest hotspring lodging in Kyushu Hokkein Onsen Sanso (needs pre-booking by phone) and then tackle one or two of the surrounding peaks the following day. This is my plan for next year but I'll be on the trail at sunrise and going in early October rather than late 🤞🍁 😅💪🦵

02/08/2026

Cool(er) places to visit in the summer

Unzen has been a summer retreat since the Meiji era, when many international visitors to Nagasaki would head to these volcanic mountains to enjoy the cooler temperatures and hot springs. It can easily be visited on a day trip from Kumamoto or as a stop off on the way to Nagasaki or Saga.

Take a ferry ride over from Kumamoto or Nagasu from there it's a 30 minute drive up to Unzen jigoku and Oshidoko pond. Here you'll find many onsen hotels, the hells - steaming sulphurous vents and you can learn more about the impressive volcanic activity that created the Unzen peaks. Currently there's also a light up event going on at the onsen shrine until August 23rd.

This area was still in the low 30's today, so if you want to get cooler you need to go higher. A 15 minute drive up the mountain takes you to the Nita pass a one way mountain loop road that costs 100 Yen. This takes you up to the start of the Unzen ropeway and a variety of hiking routes. The ropeway costs 1500 Yen for a return trip and 850 Yen one way. (However if you go onto the Ropeway website there's currently a discount if you pre-book a round trip through them.)
The ropeway runs every 12 minutes and is just a 3 minute ride to the top of the mountain. (It's a 25 minute walk back down to the carpark on quite a steep rocky path, which your knees might not like)

At the top of the ropeway building is a viewing platform, a small exhibition with a rickshaw (guessing it must be the highest rickshaw in Kyushu ?!) And there's also a path that takes you to the top of Mt Myoken in just a few minutes and from there branches off so you can hike to some of the other peaks. There's also a thermometer at the ropeway station which today was a very pleasant 26C

02/08/2026

Mt Aso's Kusasenri parking fees are changing over the Obon period

【重要】令和8年度お盆期間中の乗用車分草千里駐車場料金変更について
期間：令和8年8月8日（土）から8月16日（日）
場所：草千里駐車場のみ
内容：乗用車駐車料金の時間制導入（30分刻み）
1）30分未満駐車料の無料化
2）1時間（60分）未満の駐車料・・・500円
3）1.5時間（90分未満）の駐車料…1,000円
4）2時間未満（120分未満）・・・1,500円
5）2時間を超える駐車料・・・2,000円（上限）
その他：阿蘇市所有「スキー場跡地」を無料駐車場として開放

注）この料金は8月8日から8月16日まで運用します。それ以降は元に戻します。
注）バス料金（1回2,000円）、バイク料金（1回200円）に変更はありません。
注）古坊中駐車場の駐車料金については、従来のままです。
注）料金変更分については駐車場内及び精算機に掲示します。
一般社団法人自然公園財団　HP：https://www.npfj.or.jp/branch-list/aso/　

＃阿蘇　＃熊本　＃阿蘇山　＃草千里　＃駐車場　＃草千里駐車場

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🚗 Important Notice: Temporary Changes to Kusasenri Parking Fees During the Obon Holiday
Period: August 8th (Sat) – August 16th (Sun), 2026
Location: Kusasenri Parking Lot only
To help reduce congestion during the Obon holiday, parking fees for passenger cars will be charged based on parking duration during the above period.

Parking Fees (Passenger Cars)
1)Up to 30 minutes: ・・・FREE
2)Less than 1 hour (60 min)・・・ ¥500
3)Less than 1.5 hours (90 min)・・・¥1,000
4)Less than 2 hours (120 min)・・・ ¥1,500
5)Over 2 hours・・・¥2,000 (maximum fee)

【Additional Information】
•The former ski parking area owned by Aso City will be opened as a free parking lot during this period.
•These temporary parking fees apply only from August 8th to August 16th. Regular parking fees will resume afterward.
•Bus parking (¥2,000 per entry) and motorcycle parking (¥200 per entry) remain unchanged.
•Parking fees at furubochu Parking Lot are unchanged.
•Updated fee information will be posted at the parking lot and payment machines.
For more information:　https://www.npfj.or.jp/branch-list/aso/



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🚗 【重要公告】盂蘭盆節期間 草千里停車場停車費調整通知
實施期間：2026年8月8日（六）～8月16日（日）
適用地點：僅限草千里停車場
為了紓解盂蘭盆節期間的交通壅塞，活動期間將針對自小客車採用依停車時間計費方式。

自小客車停車費
1）30分鐘內・・・免費
2）未滿1小時（60分鐘）・・・500日圓
3）未滿1.5小時（90分鐘）・・・1,000日圓
4）未滿2小時（120分鐘）・・・1,500日圓
5）超過2小時・・・2,000日圓（最高收費）

【其他資訊】
•阿蘇市所有的滑雪場舊址將開放作為免費停車場。
•本收費方式僅適用於8月8日至8月16日，之後將恢復原本的收費標準。
•巴士（每次2,000日圓）及機車（每次200日圓）收費維持不變。
•古坊中停車場的收費方式維持原狀。
•停車場及繳費機將張貼最新收費資訊。
更多資訊：https://www.npfj.or.jp/branch-list/aso/

#阿蘇 #熊本 #阿蘇山 #草千里 #停車場 #草千里停車場

01/08/2026

Kankyo Geijutsu no Mori Park in Saga is known for its stunning autumn colours but is beautiful all year round and is such a magical spot

01/08/2026

Today I escaped Kumamoto and headed to Saga to explore.
This drop dead gorgeous spot is Kankyo Geijutsu no Mori Park, it's famous for its autumn colours but I think it would be beautiful whatever the season. Outside the peak autumn season parking is free but there is a year round 700 Yen entrance fee to the park. There are 2 walking routes, a short 15 minute stroll around the pond or a 30 minute walk up into the maple forest. But what most people want to do is head straight up the stairs to the 2nd floor of the beautiful traditional building that looks over the pond and forest. You line up your camera with the reflection on the lacquered tables and a little magic happens https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kn3u81cwZjmmYJn48
The park is open daily from 9:00 to 16:00

31/07/2026

Over the last few days I've received many heartwarming messages from guests who I have guided in the past all praying that the people of Kumamoto stay strong and hoping for a speedy recovery. 🩵🩵🩵

Many people have also asked if there's anywhere they could donate to as well.Here are a couple of links

💸If you are overseas
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/emergency-response-to-the-kumamoto-earthquake/

💸If you're based in Japan you can donate through Furusato nozei - Hometown tax see links here
https://www.city.kumamoto.jp.e.fm.hp.transer.com/kiji00372174/index.html

Life is getting back to normal in northern Kumamoto but in the south many people still don't have power and water, even worse the temperature is going to rise to 39 and 40C over the next few days making life extremely hard for relief work and for those affected.

29/07/2026

I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has reached out after the earthquake yesterday to express their sympathy and ask how we are doing 🥹💕🙏

Luckily I wasn't on a tour yesterday and was in my car driving to the shops when it happened, in the area I live it was a 6 so though it was scary and the shaking intense there was little damage. Amazingly my house seems fine and we have power and water. So I'm feeling very very fortunate.

You may know 10 years ago we experienced severe earthquakes in Kumamoto, the damage then covered a huge area and it really felt like we were living in a disaster movie. This time the damage is mainly confined to the southern part of Kumamoto. Our hearts go out to everyone in that area and we are all very much hoping that the worst is over and recovery will be quicker this time 🙏. The people of Kumamoto are very resilient and calm in a disaster, maybe because we have had so much practice 😅

Currently where I live everything feels calm but in the south there are power cuts and some areas have lost access to water. Major damage has happened to a huge Aeon shopping mall and a paper factory in Yatsushiro city. The highway in the Yatsushiro area has also broken. It's very hot but luckily there are many air conditioned evacuation centers.

Today all shinkansen trains have stopped and most tourist places in the city will close while safety checks are being conducted.

We have been told to be on alert for other equally strong earthquakes over the next week. At present we are not getting many aftershocks so things feel calm. (10 years ago the aftershocks were incredibly intense with 20,000 happening in the couple of weeks after the main quake.)

If you are coming to Kumamoto in the next few days, please be aware that some places may be temporarily closed and just be on alert for aftershocks. Japan is built to withstand earthquakes and the main danger is to watch out for falling objects. If you don't know what to do, just try to stay calm and follow what the locals do. If you are driving and experience strong shaking, put your hazard lights on, slow down, pull in and stop the car if possible. Stay in the car and try and stop where there are no lampposts or signs that could fall near you. If you have to leave the car, leave the keys in the car so it can be moved if necessary.

Kumamoto has 2 faults that seem to break every couple of thousand years. 10 years ago the Futagawa fault that runs from Aso through Kumamoto city broke, connected to that in the south is the shorter Hinagu fault line, also 10 years ago the northern part of that fault broke. This time the center of the Hinagu fault has broken which is why the damage is located in the south.

18/07/2026

Summer holiday season starts this weekend, that means more people will be travelling around Kyushu and many people will be heading to Aso to enjoy the cooler temperatures.
Especially during the Obon period (around August 8th to 16th) the roads up to Kusasenri can be expected to get very congested. Aso city has a forecast advising people to head up the mountains before 10am to avoid being stuck in traffic. You can also check car parks around the Aso area with this live feed https://parking.aso-navi.com/index.html