Admire the beauty of Takachiho while rowing a small boat through the lush gorge of the Gokase River. You can also walk along the trails and enjoy the fresh forest air. Riding the little open-air train lets you take in the mountains, forests, and countryside amid the bubble-filled gorge. There are beautiful surprises everywhere, making this place feel like a fairyland. The remarkable contours here showcase nature's craftsmanship.
Takachiho Gorge | Review by 謝美芳
Other Reviews by 謝美芳
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Yachiyoza
Yamaga is a town that flourished due to its distribution via water canals along the Kikuchi River, and as a hot springs resort during the Edo Period. A successful businessman at the time used these same resources to build Yachiyoza, a large style playhouse in 1910.
First stop on our Kyushu trip: Yachiyoza in Yamaga (やちよざ)
We visited this famous century-old kabuki theater, whose architecture combines Edo-period wooden construction with a Western-style structure using German rails. The biggest highlight on the ceiling is undoubtedly the nostalgic advertisements left by sponsors from the Meiji period. Together with the traditional tatami seating and traditional stage lift, they create a wonderfully nostalgic atmosphere.
We were very lucky that there was no performance on the day of our visit, so we were able to personally explore the mechanisms beneath the stage. Guided by an experienced docent, we listened as he calmly recounted the theater's ups and downs and stories over the past century. It made the visit feel like more than just a quick look around—it was more like a journey across time and space, engaging in a heartfelt conversation with history.
〜“Participate in Mingsheng, enjoy life”〜
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Aso Shrine (Kumamoto)
The master god who has created Aso, Takei Watatsu no Mikoto, and 12 of his family gods are enshrined here. As the head of Higo Province, this is ranked top over nearly 500 branch Aso Shrines nationwide. Its history goes back more than 2000 years. Its faith is fused with volcano worship that believes Mt. Aso to be a god.
Aso Shrine (阿蘓神社, Aso Jinja)
A solemn and majestic shrine. The approach runs sideways through a retro-style shopping street. Passing through the Romon Gate and bowing with your hands together before the worship hall, you can truly experience the resilient and tranquil power of this 2,500-year-old shrine amid today's technology and prosperity.
Strolling along the main approach and visiting with a sense of nostalgia, a goshuin gives worshippers a devout memento while they pray for peace, success, happiness, and good health ^_^
“Take part in a meaningful life and enjoy life”
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Dolphin Watching Reservation Center (Amakusa City, Kumamoto)
A dolphin-watching tour set in the waters of Amakusa Itsuwa, home to around 150 wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.
Amakusa Dolphin Center (天草イルカセンター)
Under a blue sky and over a clear blue sea, we set sail with a mix of excitement and nervousness, riding the wind and waves in search of adorable dolphins swimming freely.
Full of anticipation, we eagerly looked around. Before long, enthusiastic cheers rang out—pods of dolphins had already appeared before our eyes! Their streamlined bodies surfaced, revealing lively, graceful dorsal fins amid splashing water.
The healthy marine environment and thriving ecosystem have created this breathtaking scenery, allowing wild dolphins to live freely here. This dolphin-watching trip in Amakusa not only let us enjoy the beauty of nature but also left us with countless surprises and deeply moving moments. It was undoubtedly one of the most treasured pages of our trip to Amakusa!
〜“Join Meisheng, Enjoy Life”〜
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