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3 days around Kumamoto

SiuYel
SiuYel
about 11 years ago
8 responses

Hi there

I am trying to figure out a rough itinerary for our time in/around Kumamoto and would greatly appreciate any advice!

We will arrive in Kumamoto on Thursday July 11 and have 3 nights in the area before departing for Osaka on Sunday 14th July. I am unsure as to where we should stay - Kumamoto, around Mt Aso or Kurakawa?

We want to do the hot springs area so 1 night will be in Kurakawa, but would you recommend staying at Kumamoto rather than Mt Aso for 2 nights? We would like to hike Mt Aso but it seems this can be done in half a day depending on if it is open.

Also, is there much difference in where we stay the night before we head to Osaka? So would it be easier to stay at Kurakwa for the first night we arrive and then stay in Kumamoto for the remaining 2 nights? We will have a JR Pass with that will be valid for use on these 3 days.

I hope you can offer some advice :S
Thank you!!

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
about 11 years ago
Expert

Hi again!

Hope your plans are coming together well for Japan!
I think staying one night at Kurakawa and two in Kumamoto is a great plan!
This because it will limit the amount of time that you have to carry your luggage around and Mount Aso makes for a great day trip from Kumamoto so you won't have to stay there.

You can reach Osaka directly by Shinkansen from Kumamoto, so if you stay there the last couple of nights you will have an easy trip back to Osaka.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

SiuYel
SiuYel
8 posts
almost 11 years ago

Hi Daniel-san

The plans are coming along great, but I have one more question regarding our stay in Kurokawa - what would be the best way to travel from Nagasaki to Kurokawa?

Some people have suggested I take the ferry to Kumamoto then use trains and a bus, but I want to get there as soon as I possibly can and use the JR Pass. Can you suggest the best way/route to get there which will take the least amount of time? As we have only one night in Kurokawa we want to get the most out of our short time there.

Thanks again!

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
almost 11 years ago
Expert

Hi Again,

Glad to hear things are coming together!
It is a bit hard to compare travel times, because I don`t have the time tables for the ferries and all buses. I know that the bus from Kumamoto alone is 3 hours so all in all there may not be that much of a difference.

The best way to travel there by JR-Pass is to travel to Mount Aso and take a bus from there (it takes about 1h/1000Yen from there). Buses from there leave at 10:28 11:28 12:28 14:40 and 17:12.

阿蘇駅前 is Aso Station 黒川温泉 is Kurokawa Onsen

I would recommend the following route 2 or 3. Than take the bus from 12:28 from Aso. All together it will be a bit of a trip but I think it will be well worth it and you can enjoy the Onsen after! Also the limited express trains are very pleasant to travel on.

Hope this helps,
Daniel


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