Kumamoto has returned, and I really don't recommend going in February to March because it's just too amazing.

Who still just chases Kumamon! Early spring in the heart of Kyushu is simply divine✨ Avoid the cherry blossom season crowds, enjoy manageable crowds per person, and exclusively experience active volcanoes, thousand-year-old secret hot springs, and unbeatable sea views. We've uncovered all the off-the-beaten-path routes, personally tested with no pitfalls! 🚗 Transportation Guide Fly into Fukuoka Airport, then take the Shinkansen for 30 minutes directly to Kumamoto Station. Trams are convenient within the city, but for places like Aso and Amakusa, it’s recommended to purchase the JR Kyushu bus/train pass or rent a car for self-driving. Early spring self-driving offers stunning scenery along the way and great freedom. 🌋 Volcano Hot Spring Pilgrimage ✅ Mount Aso Nakadake🌋 Take the cable car up the mountain (open depending on volcanic activity) to get close to the world’s largest volcanic crater and feel the earth’s rumbling and sulfur scent. Personal feeling: standing on the crater’s edge, you feel awe for nature’s power, an incredibly breathtaking sight😌 ✅ Kurokawa Onsen🎐 A hot spring village hidden deep in the Aso mountains, with fresh green forests in early spring and a tranquil atmosphere. Purchase the “Bathing Pass” to experience three open-air baths, each with a unique style. Strolling in a yukata along the hot spring street looks like a scene straight out of a Japanese drama, fully healing🌅 ✅ Amakusa Matsushima💚 Known as the “Pearl under Amakusa.” Take a boat out to sea with a very high chance of spotting wild dolphins! Early spring has calm waves, blue sea and sky dotted with small islands, making the boat tour excellent. Enjoy exclusive front-of-boat dolphin photo ops, happiness maxed out~ 📸 Must-Shoot Spots Guide Mount Aso: Cable car station observation deck, with the volcanic crater and curling white smoke as the backdrop. Kusasenri: The vast wetlands on the slopes of Mount Aso, classic shots of horses, ponds, and the volcano together. Kumanoza Shrine in Uwasaki: Filming location of “Forest of Fireflies,” walk through the moss-covered approach to capture mysterious light and shadow. Amakusa Coast: At sunset, shoot the sea’s evening glow and fishing harbor along the coastal road. 💡 Pitfall Avoidance Tips Early spring in Kyushu has large temperature differences between morning and night, colder in the mountains, so bring windproof jackets and warm clothes🧣 Accommodation can be chosen in Kumamoto city (convenient transportation) or Kurokawa Onsen (top-notch experience). Check the official website for Mount Aso’s open status in real time. Dolphin watching in Amakusa depends on weather, so allow flexible timing. Don’t just limit yourself to city check-ins. Come to Kumamoto in early spring to feel the earth’s breath and the ocean’s gifts, and your healing vibes will be fully charged💖