Our visit to the Amano-iwato Shrine and Amano-yasukawara

6 November 2024 After a day out exploring Mount Aso, we drove down south to Iwato to visit the famous Amano-iwato Shrine and Amano-yasukawara, a cave with a shrine inside. Amano-yasukawara, a cave with a shrine inside. We would also stay overnight at the Hana Iwato Ryokan, a small traditional Japanese inn located near to the shrine. Iwato is a good place to stay as we planned to drive to the...

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Our stay at Hana Iwato Ryokan and viewing the Tochimata Rice Terraces

6 and 7 November 2024 After visiting the Amano-iwato Shrine and Amano-yasukawara, we checked into Hana Iwato Ryokan, a small traditional Japanese inn located near to the shrines.  I chose to stay overnight at Iwato mainly because we had planned to visit the famous Takachiho Gorge, located about 11 km away. Accommodations near the gorge are scarce and extremely overpriced. A fancy modern...

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Morning at Takachiho Gorge

7 November 2024 Once I saw photos of Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡), I knew that I must include this place into my Kyushu road trip itinerary. The gorge has one of the most spectacular waterfalls I have seen and the photographer in me dream of shooting similar photos to those I had seen. Manai Falls cascading into Takachiho Gorge. Takachiho Gorge was formed over 100,000 years ago after eruptions...

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