Kyushu 8 Days Itinerary-H

９：００
There are many highlight sites along today’s route. And most of the shops at Yufuin are the biggest highlight of the day close around 17:00. Therefore, we strongly recommend leaving from 8:00 to 9:00.
If your departure time is late, such as leaving in the afternoon, adjust your schedule by taking the expressway or skipping some spots.

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The first destination is “Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine”, nationally famous throughout Japan as the god of learning.

The approach from the parking lot to Tenmangu Shrine is called “Tenjin-sama-dori” avenue, which is crowded with many souvenir stores and restaurants.

If you like sweets and fruits, you can also enjoy fruit picking after visiting Tenmangu Shrine. Please refer to the driving map.

１２：００
Recommended lunch is “Hita Yakisoba”, a local grilled noodle. If you have time, stop by the nearby “Hita Old Town” as it has a charming atmosphere.

After that, let’s head to Yufuin.
There are no spots between Hita and Yufuin. It is recommended to drive on the highway (E34).

１３：４５
Once you arrive in Yufuin, we recommend strolling along the Yufuin Yunotsubo Kaido (Yufuin Yunotsubo Street), lined with souvenir stores and cute little sweet stores. Enjoy eating and walking to Kinrin-ko Lake at the road’s eastern end.

Another highlight of the day, the “Beppu Jigoku Hells”, will close at 17:00. If you wish to visit it, leave Yufuin by 3:30 p.m. at the latest.

Onsen town Beppu symbolizes the “Beppu Jigoku Hells”, where hot water of various colors boils over! Five of the seven hells are within walking distance.
Be aware that the tour closes at 17:00 p.m.

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On this day, though you will leisurely explore the city of Beppu and Yufuin, we recommend that you leave around 9:00.

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We recommend the Beppu Jigoku Meguri (Beppu Hell Tour) at the beginning of the day. It is a tour where you can feel the hot spring power of Beppu Onsen. By using a car, you can efficiently visit the following seven sites.

●Umi Jigoku (Time required: 40 minutes) MAPCODE: 46 521 411
●Oniishibozu Jigoku (Time required:15 minutes) You can walk since it’sLocated between Umi Jigoku and the parking lot.
Kamado Jigoku (Time required: 15 minutes) MAPCODE: 46 522 481
●Oniyama Jigoku (Time required: 20 minutes) You can walk from Kamado Jigoku since it’s located about 100m there.
●Shiraike Jigoku (Time required: 20 minutes) MAPCODE: 46 522 396
●Chinoike Jigoku (Time required: 10 minutes) MAPCODE: 46 552 802
●Tatsumaki Jigoku (Time required: 10 minutes) You can walk from Chinoike Jigoku since it’s located about 100m there.

１２：３０

We recommend ‘Seki-saba’ for lunch on this day. There are many restaurants on the east side of Beppu Station. Mackerel and horse mackerel caught in the Bungo Channel, where the tide flows quickly, are called ‘Seki-saba’ and ‘Seki-aji’. Because of its deliciousness and crunchiness, it is valued as a luxury fish.

１３：５０

Next, you will head to Beppu Ropeway. It takes about 10 minutes from the foot of the mountain to the summit of Mt. Tsurumi, where you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama at an altitude of 1,375m. From there, you can see Beppu City, Beppu Bay, Lake Shidaka, Kijima Plateau, and the mountains of Shikoku. Cherry blossom season (Bgn Apr-End Apr) and autumn foliage season (End Oct-Mid Nov) are especially recommended.

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Next, you will head to Yunotsubo Kaido in Yufuin. Yunotsubo Kaido is a very popular spot with many shops where you can enjoy eating while walking and sightseeing. We also recommend walking around Lake Kinrin.

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Please spend a relaxing second night in Yufuin/Beppu with gorgeous onsen.

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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If you still have time, head to “Kusasenri” on Mt. Aso.
Panorama Line Road, which was ranked No. 1 in Japan in a motorcycle magazine, will greet you with the sight of vast grasslands.

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.

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This is a long drive on this day, so if you want to travel without rushing, we recommend leaving by 8-9 am.

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First, let’s move on at once to visit “Takachiho Gorge”. It is one of the most beautiful gorges all over Japan and one of the most recommended spots on this entire road trip.
Boat rentals are very popular and sometimes crowded, but highly recommended!

１２：４５
10km away from Takachiho Gorge, the “Amanoiwato Shrine” is also recommended. A 10-minute walk along a riverside path called “Amanoyasukawara” will lead you to a fantastic torii gate in a cave.
After that, drive east toward the ocean. The long drive after lunch will make you sleepy, so take a break at one of the roadside stations along the way.

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“Umagasa” is a long, narrow cape jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, offering a panoramic view.
“The Sea of Cross”, a lookout point where the sea looks like a cross, is also close by and should be visited together.

It is 80 km from Miyazaki. There are not many spots in between, so you can take the expressway (E10) all the way.

Rest early because the next day will be another long drive.

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Because of the long driving and many attractive spots along the route, we recommend that you leave by 8-9 am.

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The first destination is Aoshima Island, one of Miyazaki’s most popular tourist destinations. You can walk around the island with its unique scenery, called “Oni no Sentakuita” (washing board of demons).

１１：００
Heading south along the Nichinan coastline, you will arrive at [Udo Jingu Shrine].
The shrine is located in an incredible place in a cave between steep cliffs, and the contrast between the blue of the sea and the red of the shrine is magnificent. The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Jinmu, the first emperor in Japanese mythology, and is especially blessed with children.

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After lunch, you will visit “Sekinoo Falls”.
You can take a 30-minute walk along the river with its mysterious scenery of waterfalls and potholes.

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The final destination is Kirishima Jingu Shrine, which was built over 1,000 years ago. The shrine is especially beautiful during the season of fresh green leaves and autumn foliage.

Since there are few tourist attractions from Kirishima to Kagoshima, it is recommended to drive on the expressway (E3).

１０：００
You can leave slowly today.

１０：２０
First, let’s head to the Shiroyama Park Observatory.
This is the most Kagoshima-like place with a panoramic view of the city of Kagoshima and Sakurajima.

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Afterward, visit Senganen Garden, another one of Kagoshima’s most popular tourist attractions. It is the residence of the Shimazu family, which contributed greatly to the modernization of Japan, and from the garden, you can enjoy a majestic view of Sakurajima, an active volcano.

１２：４０
After that, you will take another highlight of Kagoshima, the “Sakurajima Ferry”, to Sakurajima.
From “Kagoshima Ferry Terminal” to “Sakurajima Ferry Terminal”, you can enjoy a 15-minute cruise while viewing Sakurajima. During the daytime, the ferry runs almost every 15 minutes, and reservations are not required. The standing udon noodles on board are also famous.

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When you arrive at Sakurajima, head for the restaurant of the day.
The restaurant “Okan” is owned by a fisherman and serves only the freshest Kanpachi(greater amberjack). The sashimi, boiled fish, and grilled fish are truly exquisite, and some customers even eat two meals by themselves.

１５：００
After lunch, you will drive north along Kagoshima Bay.
Tsubobatake produces black vinegar using a traditional method that has been in use for over 200 years. Tsubobatake means “field of pots,” and hundreds of pots of black vinegar are lined up like a farm.

１６：００
Driving further north, you will find Kokubu Shiroyama Park. It is an excellent photo spot with a view of Kirishima City, Kagoshima Bay, and Sakurajima, which rises in the background, as well as beautiful sunsets.
There are no attractions from here to the city of Kagoshima, so we recommend taking the expressway.

Let’s go back to the same inn as yesterday.

９：００
Because of the long driving, we recommend you to leave by 8-9 am if you want to travel without rushing.
If you have not already been, you should first visit Senganen Garden, one of Kagoshima’s most famous tourist attractions. It is the residence of the Shimazu family, who contributed greatly to the modernization of Japan, and from the garden, you can enjoy a majestic view of Sakurajima.

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First, let’s head to Maruike Spring, a beautiful pond made of clean spring water. There are not many tourist attractions from Kagoshima to here, so let’s take the expressway (E3).

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After driving 20 km or 30 minutes from Maruike Spring, you will arrive at the biggest highlight of the day, Sogi Falls. This 210m wide waterfall is called the Niagara of the Orient and is overwhelmingly powerful. Although it is not well known due to poor accessibility, it is a place that can be enjoyed only on a road trip.

１２：５０
After that, you will arrive in Hitoyoshi City.
Aoi Aso Shrine has five buildings, including the main shrine, designated as national treasures, and the magnificent thatched tower gate is especially not to be missed.
500m east of Aoi Aso Shrine is the center of Hitoyoshi City. Uemura Eel and Black Ramen are famous and recommended for lunch.
There are not too many tourist attractions between Hitoyoshi and Kumamoto, so take the expressway(E3) again to the north.

１６：３０
The last highlight of the day is Okoshikai Beach. The tidal flat becomes a wave pattern, and you can look over the Ariake Sea to Unzen Fugendake. Please check the time of low tide before visiting. Also, please note that depending on the time of year, the area may be jammed with many photographers.

It is a long drive and you will arrive in Kumamoto at night. You can visit Kumamoto Castle tomorrow.

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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.

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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.

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Suizenji Jojuen Garden is a Japanese garden with a pond garden style. It is only 4 km away from Kumamoto Castle, so it is recommended to visit there as well.

１３：２０
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.

１４：３０
Ohana Shotoen is a former domain lord’s residence and a splendid garden that has been selected as a national place of scenic beauty.

１６：３０
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.

１８：００
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.