Japan Drive Route Guide

This day will head from Fukuoka to Yufuin/Beppu a nationally famous hot spring resort. Mileage is about 160㎞. However, this day has many attractions, and in today's highlights Yufuin and Beppu, most of the shops and sightseeing spots close about 17-18 o'clock. It is recommended to start 8:00～9:00 if you don't lile huried travel. The first destination should be "Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine(太宰府天満宮)" the most famous shrines in Kyushu. You can enjoy walking along the approach of the shrine where has many shop of local products and food. If you like sweets and fruit, it is god idea to go to fruit picking after the shrine. "Hita old town(日田の古い町並み)" is located good place to have lunch. Our daily driving map will guide you to recommended eel restaurant, ”Hita Yakisoba” the local grilled noodle erstaurant and so on. Then let's facing to Yuhuin. The main street "Yufuin Yunotsubo street(由布院湯の坪街道)" is filled with charming shops selling localproducts and food too and you can enjoy walking to small beautiful "Lake Kinrinko(金鱗湖)". It is 25km away from Yufuin to Beppu and dakes about 40 minutes. Highlight "Beppu Jigoku Hells(別府地獄めぐり)" is highly recommended but is closed at 17:00. If you stay in Yufuin or Beppu continuously or will return back to Fukuoka tomorrow, it would be good visit Beppu on the next day. If you travel to Aso tomorrow, it might be better to skip the Hita old town to keep time to visit Beppu. Onsen is wating for you to heal your fatigue. In addition, we recommend you different place at cherry blossom period in spring and autumn coloured leaves period with our daily driving map.. It is really worth to see and please priority there.

This day is the day of between two consecutive stay in Yufuin/Beppu. You can relax this day because mileage is about 100km only and you need not to pack your luggage too. If you haven't visit "Beppu Jigoku Hells(べっぷ地獄めぐり)" and "Yufuin Yunotsubo street(由布院湯の坪街道)", its are first priority. Another recommendation is "Kitsuki Castle Town(杵築城下町)". It is unknown small castle town with old Samurai houses and less foreign tourist. If you have children in your group, "African Safari(アフリカンサファリ)" the zoo where you can drive by yourself inside of safari area, "Harmony Land(ハーモニーランド)" the theme park of Hello Kitty and "Takasaki Monkey Park(高崎山自然動物園)" park of wild monkies are recommended. If you travel in Spring o Autumn, you can enjoy amazing chery blossoms and autumn coloured leaves from "Beppu Ropeway(別府ロープウェイ)".

This day will head from Yufuin/Beppu to Aso. Mileage is 140㎞ only. However, this day has many attractions and it is recommended to start 8:00～9:00 if you don't lile huried travel. The first destination is "Kokonoe Suspension Bridge(九重夢大吊橋)". In particular, you can see wonderful colored leaves in the Autumn. Then you can stop by farm which provide fresh yogurt drinks and beautiful wetland which has 1 - 2.5km walking trails. "Kurokawa Onsen town(黒川温泉)" is good place to have lunch. Our daily driving map will let you know nice recommended restaurants there. The biggest highlight on this day is driving along the Aso Sky Line from "Skyline observatory" to "Daikanbo Observatory(大観峰)". Driving on outer rim of a Aso caldera will be your lifetime unforgettable memory. If you have time, let's go to "Kusasenri(草千里)". Breathtaking panoramic grass plains are waiting for you. Aso area where you stay this day is countryside and you had better to eat dinner at your inn. Then please control your schedule to reach your inn by 18 around o'clock.

This day is the day of between two consecutive stay in Aso. You can relax this day because mileage is about 150km only and you need not to pack your luggage too. If you haven't visit "Kusasenri(草千里)" in Mt.Aso, let's go there first. Breathtaking panoramic grass plains are waiting for you. The biggest highlight of this day is "Takachiho Gorge(高千穂峡)" one of the most beautiful gorge in Japan and it can be highlight of your Kyushu travel too. It is located inconvenient area but you can visit there by your car easily. They have rental boat and highly recommended to try boating in amazing view. "Kunimigaoka Observatory(国見ヶ丘展望台)" near the gorge is also worth to visit. You will be amazed due to 360 degree mountain view. "Amanoiwato Shrine(天岩戸神社)" 10 km away from the gorge is recommended too.You can walk 10 min along the walking trail to visit mysterious cave with Torii gate. There are not many restaurants there but our daily driving map will suggest you nice soba restaurant, Beef steak restaurants and so on. When you return back to Aso, let's stop by "Shirakawa Suigen(白川水源)" which is park with natural clear water source. It is better to bring an empty bottle. In addition, There are amazing cherry blossom places spring. If you will travel in spring, our daily driving map will guide you these spots. It is really worth to see and please priority there.

This day will go back to Fukuoka from Aso. Because of long mileage 200km and many sightseeing spots, it is recommended to start 8:00～9:00 if you don't lile huried travel. If you haven't visit "Kusasenri(草千里)" in Mt.Aso, let's go there first. Breathtaking panoramic grass plains are waiting for you. Then, let's move to Kumamoto city. The symbol of the city ”Kumamoto castle(熊本城)” is under reconstruction from the damage of the earthquake. It may be nicer to visit sonderful Japanese garden "Suizenji Jojuen Garden(水前寺成趣園)". Next destination is Yanagawa town. "Ohana Shotoen(御花松涛園)" is old house and amazing Japanese garden which was built about 300 years ago. Recommended lunch on this day are Kumamoto Ramen, traditional grilled eel and cheap and good local Udon noodle. We will let you know all the restaurants with daily driving map. "Yame Chuo Tea Gaden(八女中央大茶園)" is highly recommended to visit. It is the secret spot where can be reach by car only and you will be amazed due to panolamic scenery covered with green tea trees. If you would like to enjoy shopping before going back to your country, you can stop at "Tosu Premium Outlets(鳥栖プレミアムアウトレット)". There are some traffic jam adound Fukuoka and it takes time to filling up gas and return your car too. If you don't stay Fukuoka and take flight on this day, please reach rental car shop at least 3 hours before the flight.