The Aso Nakadake Caldera | Review by BobbyJenny

When visiting Kumamoto, of course you have to stop by Kumamoto Castle, which has deep ties to Kato Kiyomasa. From a distance, the imposing castle walls and towering main keep are an impressive sight, giving you a sense of this famous castle's rich history.

Strolling through the castle grounds, you can see sturdy stone walls and historic buildings. Walking slowly along the castle ruins, you can also imagine the ingenuity that went into its construction.

At Daikanbo, standing high on the observation deck, you can take in an unobstructed view of the mountains and landscape below. The expansive view makes you marvel at the magnificence of nature.

However, the wind is especially strong at this elevation, and in winter it's so cold that you can't stop shivering. It really makes you understand the saying, "It's unbearably cold at the top." But even with the cold wind constantly blowing, I still wanted to stay a little longer and enjoy the rare view before me.

At Fuji Safari Park, you can drive your own car through the park and see the animals up close. It’s very different from visiting a typical zoo and was quite a novel experience.

Along the way, we saw lions, zebras, giraffes, and other animals roaming freely. They seemed to be living pretty well, and since their movements weren’t restricted, there were lots of fun and unexpected moments. We arrived a little late this time and missed the Jungle Bus, which was a bit disappointing. If I have another chance to visit, I’d like to enter earlier and take the Jungle Bus to experience the fun of observing the animals from even closer.