Hello Everyone,

I am planning a slow-paced trip to Kyushu and Western Honshu filled with culture, history, and hiking. Can you please help with a portion of my itinerary?


September 15: Pick up rental car at Kumamoto station at 10 or 11 AM, drive to hotel in Takamori (for three nights), included dinner is 5:30 - 8 PM.
Question: Should I "detour" through the Kikuchi Valley on the way? Or perhaps stop somewhere else along the way? Alternatively, should I check into the hotel, and take an afternoon "jaunt" from there?

September 16: Day trip to Aso area:
Naka-dake
Kusasenri
Mount Komezuka
Question: How do I plan the day? Since I will be alone, I want to limit my hiking to two hours in the morning, and two hours in the afternoon, but short walks in between in fine (I am worried about getting lost, etc).

September 17: Day trip to Takachiho
Ama-no-Iwato Shrine
Ama-no-Yasugawara Cave
Takachiho Gorge
Question: How do I map out the day?

September 18: Drive back to Kumamoto, return rental car, board train for Kagoshima


Thank you in advance for your help!