Day Trip to Aso
During my 2-week trip to Korea and Japan, Fukuoka was one of the cities I decided to visit. On the first day there, I wanted to drive out to see one of Japan's active volcanoes. It was a 2-hour drive from Hakata station, but with a great passenger princess, you'll be well entertained.
You can rent a car on Trip.com
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
1. The toll uses cash - please avoid the express lanes (usually on the left side of the road) or you'll be a public nuisance like us.
2. Petrol is really cheap - $30 for a full tank.
Our Itinerary for the 12-hour Road Trip:
1. Sakurai Futamigaura's Couple Stones, Shimasakurai, Itoshima, Fukuoka 819-1304, Japan - Symbolises Happy Marriage. A lot of couples would propose here. So if you're looking for something unoriginal, you can do it here too.
2. Takachiho Gorge Footpath, Mukoyama, Takachiho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki 882-1103, Japan - Ride a boat through this river canyon with waterfalls over sheer basalt cliffs. I think this place is a little cuter for a proposal, but it can be a little crowded with tourist. Avoid 12-2pm.
3. Lunch: 3 places you can try (rank from best to decent) Yamayasu, 3191 Takamori, Aso District, Kumamoto 869-1602, Japan - Hot plate beef with rice and soft boiled eggs, the place looks a lot cleaner than the other one; Takamori Dengaku no Sato - Rustic space with floor seating, this place offers traditional charcoal-grilled set meals but it's not the cleanest.; 鶏炭火焼 らくだ山 - for none beef eater, you can enjoy the same grilled but only chicken meat.
4. Kusasenrigahama, Japan, 〒869-1505 Kumamoto, Aso District, 阿蘇市 草千里ヶ浜 - Enjoy some horse riding, a nice hike up the mountain to watch an active volcano go poof, or maybe eat some horse meat skewers. I really fell in love with how peaceful this place is and I won't lie that this would be the perfect proposal spot for the adventurous couples.
5. Kurokawa Onsen, Manganji, Minamioguni, Aso District, Kumamoto 869-2402, Japan - This little onsen town looks like the Spirited Away village. Take a nice stroll along the Tanoharu river before enjoying some outdoor onsen at やまびこ旅館.
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