Scenic Minamiaso Railway Trolley Train Ride and Kusasenri Plain

Take a journey on the Minamiaso Railway trolley train and enjoy stunning views of the volcanic landscape surrounding Mt. Aso. This tour includes a delicious lunch featuring Aso Red Beef at the scenic Kusasenri Plain. Spend time exploring the vast grasslands and enjoy the cool elevation before visiting the Kumamoto Earthquake Museum KIOKU to learn about the area's history and recovery efforts. With the conductor providing insightful commentary, experience the beauty and culture of Aso in a comfortable setting. - Enjoy a 55-minute scenic train ride to Takamori - Savor a lunch featuring Aso Red Beef at Kusasenri Plain - Explore the Kumamoto Earthquake Museum with optional exhibitions

1. 1

   Stop 1

   10 min

   After meeting your tour conductor, you will be traveling comfortably by bus toward Tateno. From here, you will board the Minami Aso Railway trolley train and ride the full line to Takamori, a journey of approximately 55 minutes. As the train moves slowly through the countryside, you will be surrounded by the vast landscape of the Aso caldera, with views of rolling terrain and the outer crater walls stretching into the distance. During the ride, the conductor provides live commentary in Japanese only, offering insight into the region’s scenery and history while adding to the local atmosphere of the experience. Please note that the boarding direction may be reversed (Takamori to Tateno), and the itinerary order may be adjusted accordingly.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   5 min

   After arriving at Takamori Station, you will continue your journey by bus. This quiet rural town serves as the southern gateway to the Minami Aso region, surrounded by open landscapes and mountains that define the character of the area.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   1.3 hours

   Travel approximately 30 minutes to reach Kusasenri, one of the most iconic scenic areas in Aso. Located at an elevation of around 1,100 to 1,145 meters, this wide grassland spreads out beneath the sky with Mount Aso nearby, creating a vast and open landscape that feels very different from Japan’s cities. Even in summer, the temperature here is noticeably cooler, often several degrees lower than the surrounding plains. You will have time to walk freely across Kusasenrigahama, taking in the expansive natural scenery. During your visit, you will enjoy a lunch featuring Aso Akaushi beef, a regional specialty known for its flavor and quality, adding a local culinary highlight to the experience.

4. 4

   Kumamoto Earthquake Museum Kioku

   30 min

   After approximately 20 minutes bus ride, continue to the Kumamoto Earthquake Museum KIOKU. This site preserves the memory of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, combining exhibition spaces with actual preserved structures affected by the disaster. Through these displays, you can gain a deeper understanding of the impact of the earthquake and the ongoing recovery of the region. Some exhibition areas require an additional admission fee of 500 yen. The tour concludes with arrival at Tenjin around 6:10 PM and Hakata around 6:30 PM.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• This tour is operated for both Japanese and foreign customers. A Japanese tour conductor will accompany the group and provide key information using a translation app. Please note that the tour conductor is not a tour guide and will focus on sharing essential information during the tour.
• Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be contacted 5 days prior to your travel date and offered an alternative date/tour or a full refund.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.