On our 2 night/ 3 day tours of Kyushu, on the 2nd night we have the option of staying in Minamiaso (3 or 4 star) or Kurokawa Onsen (5 star). Most of my clients chosen Kurokawa Onsen because staying in a Ryokan enjoying Japanese Omotenashi (hospitality) and having an exquisite 8 course Kaiseki washoku (traditional Japanese food) dinner ticks all their boxes.
On this particular tour the Kurokawaso Onsen was chosen as their accommodation of course. This was a lucky omen for me as I stayed here before many years ago with my family when the kids were a lot smaller. It also gave me satisfaction as a guide knowing that the next day when I picked up the team there would be many smiling faces the next morning.
This is exactly what I got!! The atmosphere and the general outlook was so positive. The dinner course and the hot spring experiences (both public and private hot spring experiences are available) were still on everyones lips with many different stories from nights past being relived for everyones pleasure.
This is what a guide attains to achieve on every tour especially ones that are multiple days in succession. The joy, the stories and the experiences will forever be etched in the memory banks with months and years of enjoyment.
Please check out Kurokawa Onsen here on a map below:
Please click on these photos to enlarge:
Surrounded by nature
Private rooms
Dinner menu
Of course there is Wagyu
Party atmosphere
Sake please
Fabulous all year round
Highly recommended
Memories galore
Please click on these video below to see more about the Kurokawaso Ryokan in the Kurokawa region of Kumamoto Prefecture.
Mount Aso is an active volcanoin the center of Kyushu island which most recently erupted in 2021 and 2016. Aso's ancient caldera ranks among the world's largest, with a diameter of up to 25 kilometers and a circumference of over 100 kilometers. In the center of the caldera stand the mountain's active volcanic peaks, including Nakadake, whose spectacular crater is accessible to tourists.
However, that the crater area is often partially and sometimes fully closed to visitors due to poisonous volcanic gases, bad weather or the risk of volcanic activity. Even when the area around the summit is open, gases can be intense, and people with respiratory problems should refrain from approaching the crater.
Japan is basically a risk adverse country and many warnings and alerts are put in place as a result of its constant struggle to control to uncontrollable, AKA Mother Nature. As a single young male when I first came to Japan, this level of control frustrated me to the core, but now as a father and a business owner I fully understand and participate with all the rules and precautions that I face on a regular basis.
On this day, our party of 8 unfortunately missed out on the spectacular views from the Mount Aso lookout as a result of too many poisonous gases being emitted. Of course there was disappointment but the drive up to the peak and resulting drive on to the Hot Spring resort town of Kurokawa helped soften this blow.
Please check out the location of Mount Aso here on a map below:
Please click on these photos below to enlarge:
Wide open spaces
Warnings
Closed on this day
Countryside
Lots to see
Was a little smokey in places
Please click on these videos below to see more about the drive up to and from Mount Aso:
There is a very impressive place located in the rural confines of Saga Prefecture that has significant historical and cultural connotations. It is called the giant tree of Ureshino and for a green tea buff it is the origins of the green tea industry in this region of Kyushu.
Not only is the location completely in the countryside (it's about as rural as you are ever going to get) but no matter what the season the Green Tea fields are still an amazing shade of vibrant green. It's hard to explain that in the middle of winter that colors like this even exist. The contrast is so mazing that it actually blows your mind. The manicured hedges of the Green Tea fields are absolutely mesmerizing. It could be just me but every time I see another interesting hedge shape along the river bank or on the hill I just have to step out of my car and take another picture. It's like a drug, you just can't get enough!
I have been told that in summer the density of the tree when its leaves are at its peak are quite a lit more than in its current state. However a 340 year old specimen that is 4 meters high and has an 8 meter circumference, i think that it has nothing to apologize for. This is a true indication that nature is incredible and that we need to preserve and protect everything we can for the next generation to enjoy.
Even if there is no English signs to enjoy, this is one of those locations that no explanation is necessary. Nature trumps linguistics every time!
Please check out the Giant Green Tea Tree on the map below:
Please click the photos below to enlarge:
Great all year round
Rows and rows of green tea
Manicured perfection
Beautiful scenery
Big Green Tea Tree
It's massive
Close up of tea
The origins of Tea
Gotta love nature
Please click on the videos below to see more about the Green Tea fields in Ureshino, Saga Prefecture.
