Tengle Earth

Selected outdoor adventures in Kyushu, Japan

Tours

These are the tours we can arrange in English and Japanese. Prices are per person, tax included. You pay the tour fee plus the arrangement fee.

Fujikawachi Gorge Canyoning (one-day)

Oita

Total ¥20,000 (tour fee ¥10,000 + arrangement fee ¥10,000)

Play in a spectacular gorge that you can reach without mountaineering gear, which is rare even in Japan. Jump, slide and explore the single-slab rock and potholes in very clear water. It is far from the big cities, so few people visit, and it feels like a hidden place.

Tour time: 4 hours (5 hours from meeting to dismissal)
Meeting: 12:00 / about 4 hours by car from central Fukuoka
Season: mid-April to October
Operator: OTTER
Not suitable for young children. Please ask us about junior high school age and under. Transfers are not provided.

(Japanese) Is it worth the 4-hour drive? →

Nanatsugama Sea Cave SUP

Karatsu, Saga

Total ¥17,000 (tour fee ¥12,000 + arrangement fee ¥5,000)

A sea SUP tour led by Taiyo Outdoor, who run outdoor tours mainly in Saga. You paddle toward Nanatsugama, known for its beautiful columnar joints.

Tour time: 2 hours
Meeting: 10:00 or 14:00 / about 1.5 hours by car from central Fukuoka
Operator: Taiyo Outdoor
Junior high school age and up. Transfers are not provided.

Takachiho Packrafting (Oku-Takachiho Gorge)

Takachiho, Miyazaki

Total ¥21,500 (tour fee ¥16,500 + arrangement fee ¥5,000)

A packraft is an inflatable one-person boat. Guides from the Takachiho Adventure Tourism Council lead you through the beautiful valley upstream of the famous Takachiho Gorge, toward a natural arch bridge of columnar joints and an unnamed 5-metre waterfall.

Tour time: 3 hours
Meeting: 9:00 / about 2.5 hours by car from central Fukuoka
Season: March to early December
Operator: Takachiho Adventure Tourism Council
Junior high school age and up. Transfers are not provided.

Kuma River Rafting

Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto

Introduction onlyPlease ask the operator for prices

Paddle a rubber raft down fast water with your team. The Kuma River in southern Kumamoto is the only place in Kyushu where you can go rafting.

Operator: Land Earth

Climbing Lessons

Tosu, Saga

Price: please inquire

Climbing lessons for beginners through advanced climbers, at places such as Azumaya in Tosu, Saga, and Mehyuga Valley in Yame, Fukuoka. The instructor also sets up competition climbing events and is known for clear teaching. Shoes, helmets and harnesses are available to rent.

Instructor's page (Japanese)

Trail Running Guide

Kitakyushu, Fukuoka

Price: please inquire

Run across the grassy karst plateau, on a course with ups and downs and views of the sea. Your guide, who also races in trail running events overseas, will adjust to your level.

Operator: Earthwork OGUSU
Season: mid-October to mid-June
Handled individually. Please inquire.

Aso / Kuju e-BIKE

Aso, Kuju, Minamioguni

Introduction onlyPlease inquire directly

Ride through Aso grasslands that are normally closed to visitors. An e-bike makes the climbs easy, and the guides from Aso Kuju Cycle Tour keep the downhills safe and fun.

Aso Kuju Cycle Tour
English and Chinese available.

Aso Geo Guide Tour

Aso

Introduction onlyPlease inquire directly

Recommended if you want to hear the geography of Aso and Kuju explained on site. You learn about the Earth's history and Japanese culture. The guide explains in English.

Guide's page (Facebook)

Outdoor Trip Planning

All of Kyushu

Price: please inquire

TAKAKO has played at outdoor spots all over Kyushu and can help you plan your trip. Under Japan's travel law we cannot offer tours that include transportation, but we can recommend the best experiences for the season.

Research Institute of Oni, Tengu and Shugen

Northern Kyushu

Price: please inquire

Until modern times, Japanese people lived within Buddhism, Shinto and the belief that "the gods live in the mountains". This belief is called Shugendo. Mount Aso, Kuju, Unzen and Kirishima were all sacred mountains, and temples and shrines that served as Shugendo bases still stand. Mount Hiko in Fukuoka is one of Japan's leading Shugendo centers, where the culture of the yamabushi is still alive. On a mountain walk, we explain this ancient form of prayer to the mountains (Mt. Hiko, Mt. Homan and others).

How pricing works / FAQ