Kyushu 3 Days Itinerary-A

Summary

  • Start
    Fukuoka Airport or Hakata Station
  • Finish
    Fukuoka Airport or Hakata Station
  • Mileage
    Total 600km
    200km per day
  • Travel Pace
    Busy
  • Onsen Stay
    Max.2 nights
  • Recommended Seasons
    All year round

This itinerary takes 3 days to circle northeast Kyushu. Due to long mileage and no consecutive stay, travel pace is fast.

If you want to stay in Fukuoka after the road trip, it is also possible to return your car around near Hakata station.

 

Yufuin/Beppu – Aso

Start:Yufuin(湯布院) or Beppu(別府)
Finish:
Aso(阿蘇)
Mileage:
140km
Travel Pace:
Normal

On this day, you will head from Yufuin/Beppu to Aso.
The driving distance is about 140 km. This is a day where you can enjoy three of Kyushu’s most spectacular driving roads.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Yufuin or Beppu

Parking MAPCODE:

What is MAPCODE?

9:00
Because there are so many pots to see, we recommend leaving by 8-9 am if you want to travel without rushing.
If you are staying in Beppu, go to the “Yukemuri Observatory” first, and you will see the typical Beppu scene of steam rising.

Beppu’s little-known spot, Yukemuri Observation Deck, can be enjoyed only by car.




60min

2

Kokonoe Suspension Bridge-九重夢大吊橋

Parking MAPCODE:

440 882 875What is MAPCODE?

The Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge in the autumn leaves is breathtaking (autumn leaves: late October to mid-November).

10:20
The first destination is the Kokonoe Suspension Bridge. It is the highest suspension bridge for pedestrians in Japan and is a must-see, especially during the season of fresh green leaves and autumn foliage.




40min

Head south on the Yamanami Highway, the third most popular driving route in Japan. On the way, you can enjoy a fresh yogurt drink at a ranch and a 1km walk in the marshland at Chojabaru. Please refer to the driving map.
Note that Yamanami Highway is a nickname and is actually a public road, not an expressway.

Yamanami Highway is ranked No. 3 in Japan in Bike Magazine’s Touring Course Ranking

3

Kurokawa Onsen town-黒川温泉

Parking MAPCODE:

440 542 879*52What is MAPCODE?

Kurokawa Onsen I recommend the cream puffs at Patisserie Roku and curry at Warokuya.

12:00
Kurokawa Onsen is a great place for lunch. There are nice curry shops and excellent cream puffs. This spot is also very crowded on holidays. Beyond Kurokawa Onsen, there are a number of soba noodle shops called Oguni Soba Road, which is also recommended. Please refer to the driving map.




35min

4

Nishiyunouraenchi Observatory-西湯浦園地展望所

Parking MAPCODE:

256 871 176What is MAPCODE?

Nishiyunoura Observatory, the most beautiful spot in Aso, is along Milk Road.

14:15
Further south down the Yamanami Highway is the “Nishiyunouraenchi Observatory”. Although not very famous, this is Drive Japan’s best lookout point overlooking the Mt.Aso caldera.




10min

The “Milk Road” from Nishiyunouraenchi Observatory to Daikanbo is the most spectacular road of this road trip, passing by the edge of the caldera of Mt.Aso. The most pleasant drive will make you want to scream, and it will surely be a memory you will cherish forever.

The drive along Aso Milk Road will surely be memorable!

5

Daikanbo Observatory-大観峰

Parking MAPCODE:

256 878 383What is MAPCODE?

the outer rim of a crater Mt.Aso seen from Daikanbo. The best driving course in Japan.

14:45
This is the most famous observatory in the Mt.Aso caldera. Enjoy a 1 km round trip walk on the plateau from the parking lot to the observatory.




30min

6

Mt.Aso(Kusasenri)-草千里

Parking MAPCODE:

256 456 832What is MAPCODE?

Aso Panorama Line

16:15
If you still have time, head to Mt. Aso.
You can drive “Panorama Line” road, which was ranked No. 1 in Japan in a motorcycle magazine, will greet you with the sight of vast grasslands.

Kusasenri on Mt. Aso. The view from the observation deck behind the restrooms is recommended.

If there are no restrictions on volcanic gases, you can visit the crater. You can take the Aso Park toll road (800 yen) to the parking lot next to the crater.
Please check current restrictions before your visit.

Mt.Aso Nakadake Crater. If there are no restrictions on volcanic gases, you can visit the crater.

Information on restrictions for the Aso Volcano Center



30min

There are also flower gardens such as “Gandhi Farm” and “Kujyu Flower Park” on this day. If you are traveling during the best time for flowers, give priority to this area.

Tulips at Kujyuu Flower Park (late April)

7

Inn in Aso

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?




Driving Map For The Day

The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.

[Spot Map]Yufuin/Beppu-Aso – Google マイマップ
Japan Road Trip itinerary search "Drive Japan"

Where to stay in Aso

Aso town is a small town located inside the vast caldera of Mt.Aso. The inns are spread over a wide area around Mt. Aso.

  • Inn Type
    There are a variety of inns from 3-star western-style hotels to 5-star Japanese Ryokans. Please book at your preferred type of inn.
  • Parking
    Most inns will offer free parking.
  • Onsen
    Some luxury Ryokans have Onsen.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    Aso is a rural area and there are few restaurants. Be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.

 

Aso – Fukuoka

Start:Aso(阿蘇)
Finish:
Fukuoka(福岡)
Mileage:
200km
Travel Pace:
Fast

On this day, we will return to Fukuoka from Kumamoto.
The distance traveled is about 200 km. The second half of the trip will be on the expressway for about 50 km.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Aso

Parking MAPCODE:

What is MAPCODE?

9:00
If you are not staying in Fukuoka today and will be taking the Shinkansen or airplane, please arrange your schedule so that you can return the rental car to the rental store at least one and a half hours before your flight.

If you want to go to [Mt.Aso], you should allow 1.5 hours to move around and visit, so we recommend leaving before 8:00 am.

Kusasenri on Mt. Aso. You can enjoy horse riding and hiking(30min to 2.5 hours courses)

Mt.Aso Nakadake Crater. If there are no restrictions on volcanic gases, you can visit the crater.




2

Kumamoto Castle-熊本城

Parking MAPCODE:

29 489 225What is MAPCODE?

First, we will head to Kumamoto Castle, the symbol of Kumamoto, which was damaged by the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016, but restoration work on the castle tower was completed in March 2021.

Kumamoto Castle. After the Kumamoto earthquake, the Tenshukaku was restored in 2021.




80min

3

Ganso Motoyoshiya-元祖本吉屋

Parking MAPCODE:

69 874 678*52What is MAPCODE?

13:00
Yanagawa is famous for its eels. Among them, Motoyoshiya has been in business for 300 years and serves the best eels. There is also a cheap and tasty udon restaurant nearby, which is also recommended.

The original Motoyoshiya. If you come to Yanagawa, you should definitely try it.




5min

4

Ohana Shotoen-御花・松涛園

Parking MAPCODE:

69 843 570What is MAPCODE?

14:10
Ohana Shotoen is a former domain lord’s residence with a splendid garden that has been selected as a national place of scenic beauty.

Ohana Shotoen in Yanagawa




60min

5

Yame Chuo Tea garden-ハ女中央大茶園 展望所

Parking MAPCODE:

37 267 224*20What is MAPCODE?

16:10

The last highlight of the day was the Yame Chuo Tea garden. This area is the production area of “Yame-cha”, one of the finest teas in Japan. This is an observatory from which you can look out over the vast tea fields as far as the eye can see. This is a spot that cannot be reached by public transportation or even by bus tours, but only by a road trip.

From here, let’s take the expressway (E3) to Fukuoka. It is about 50 km, or 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Pairotto-Ohcha Garden. A secret and spectacular view that only road trip travelers can enjoy.




70min

6

Inn in Rental car branch at Fukuoka airport or Hakata station

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the rental car branchWhat is MAPCODE?

17:45
This concludes your Kyushu road trip.

When you return to Fukuoka, refuel and then return the car to the car rental branch. Use the MAPCODE on the driving map for the nearest gas stations at Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport.

Fukuoka offers a wide variety of culinary delights. For dinner, try Hakata ramen, Motsu nabe (Motsu hot pot), and other local Fukuoka foods, or even try one of the famous Yatai stalls.

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen
Motsu-nabe is synonymous with Hakata. Famous restaurants include Yamanaka and Rakutenchi.
Yatai, food stalls, a part of Fukuoka’s culture




Driving Map For The Day

The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.

[Spot Map]Aso-Fukuoka – Google マイマップ
Japan Road Trip itinerary search "Drive Japan"

Where to stay in Fukuoka

Fukuoka is the biggest city in Kyushu and the gateway of Kyushu Travel. It takes 15min to Fukuoka Airport by subway. There are hundreds of accommodations around “Hakata Station”, Nakasu downtown area, and Tenjin Station.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 2 to 5-star western-style hotels.
  • Parking
    Some inns have official parking but in addition to the accommodation fee, the parking lot fee will be charged separately.
  • Onsen
    There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    As many restaurants are open till midnight, it is recommended to book your inns with breakfast only or without meals.

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