Scenic Minamiaso Railway Trolley Train Ride and Kusasenri Plain

Duration6h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesJapanese, English

Group sizeUp to 42 travelers

Overview

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

Options

Depart from Tenjin

Starting point:
Yatai Bar Ebi-chan, 4-chōme-2-1 Tenjin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0001, Japan

Depart from Fukuoka

Starting point:
LAWSON Oriental Hotel Fukuoka Store, 4-23 Hakataekichūōgai, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0012, Japan

What's included

Lunch featuring Akaushi beef
Minami Aso Railway trolley train fee
Japanese-speaking tour conductor using a translation app for assistance
Round-trip transportation by bus

Food and drinks (unless specified)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter
Personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, shopping)
Some exhibition areas at Kumamoto Earthquake Museum KIOKU (entry is optional)

What to expect

10m

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.
5m

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.
1h 20m

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.
Kumamoto Earthquake Museum Kioku
30m · Admission ticket included

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.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

5 minutes walk from Tenjin Station, at the square next to the Bank of Japan Fukuoka Branch, closer to the Bank of Japan Intersection. You won’t need to cross the road, but you’ll see Family Mart across the street. Please arrive at least 10 min before the scheduled departure time and wait for the bus

Meeting point

Meet in front of LAWSON Oriental Hotel Fukuoka Store at JR Hakata Station Chikushi Exit. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled meeting time. The tour conductor will be holding a flag and a placard with the local tour operator's logo.

End point

The bus will drop off participants at Hakata Station at a location where the bus is able to stop. Please follow the instructions from the tour conductor for the exact drop-off point. Arrival is scheduled at approximately 6:30 PM.

End point

Drop-off is possible at either nearby the Bank of Japan Fukuoka Branch or Hakata Station (last stop). The bus will stop at a nearby location where it is safe and convenient for passengers to disembark. Arrival is scheduled at approximately 6:10 PM.

Additional information

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.
Delays, shortenings of the tour or omissions made to the itinerary due to traffic, weather or other circumstances that are beyond the control of the tour operator are not subject to a refund.
Infants (0-2 years old) are free of charge but no arrangements are made for them.
According to traffic conditions etc, the order of the itinerary may be changed
Delays due to transportation issues or non-participation will be subject to cancellation fees. The tour will depart at the time indicated.
Please note that we are unable to accommodate special dietary requests, including food allergies. If you have specific dietary needs, we recommend making your own meal arrangements. No refunds will be provided for meals.
Please wear comfortable walking shoes such as sneakers and suitable clothing. In case of rain, please bring rain gear.
For guests traveling in odd-numbered groups, seating may be shared with other tour participants.
The trolley train route on the Minamiaso Railway may operate in reverse between Takamori and Tateno. In such cases, the order of the itinerary may be adjusted accordingly.
Please note that we are currently unable to accept reservations from residents of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) due to reservation system restrictions related to data protection regulations (GDPR). Country of residence will be confirmed after booking. If we are unable to process your reservation, it will be rejected and a full refund will be provided.
Operated by Club Tourism, a leading Japanese travel company with over 70 years of experience, this high-quality tour offers a safe and reliable travel experience in Japan. Accompanied by a tour leader known for excellent hospitality, it has received high praise from travelers of many nationalities.

Cancellation policy

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