Japan Drive Route Guide

Area

Kyushu

Travel Period

3D2N

Route

706

Overview

Start

Fukuoka

Goal

Fukuoka

Way

return_trip

Travel Pace

normal

Distance

440 km

Rank

Highway fee

¥ 3,500

About this route

It is a route around the northern Kyushu via Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki and Yufuin/Beppu. On day 1, you can visit unique shrines and temple like "Nanzoin Big Buddha" and "Miyajidake Shrine". Seafood at Shimonoseki is really fresh. Day2, after seeing ”Hiraodaira Karst Plateau" panolamic view, you can touch some traditional Japanese culture at "Usa Jingu Shrine" and "Kitsuki Castle Town". Must-try food on the day is local fried chickens in Nakatsu town. After staying at either Yufuin or Beppu where is one of the most famous Onsen town in Japan, let's go back to Fukuoka via "Yunotsubo Steet" in Yufuin town and "Beppu Jigoku Hells". In spring, you can enjoy the wonderful verry blossoms and rape blossoms at "Oita river" in Yufuin. In autumn, "Akizuki Castle Ruin" and "Yabakei Gorge" are the best place to see coloured leaves.

Bookmark Route

Day. 1Fukuoka to Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki

This day will head from Fukuoka to Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki aera. Mileage is about 120㎞ only and you can travel leisurely. The first destination can be either "Nanzoin Big Buddha(南蔵院)" or "Miyajidake Shrine(宮地嶽神社)" where is famous for panoramic scenery with straight road extending to the sea. The highlights of the day are the Shimonoseki and Mojiko Port is located across the Kanmon Strait. It is recommended to have "Grilled Curry" at Mojiko or "Puffer fish" at Shimonoseki. "Mojiko Port Retro Area(門司港レトロ)” is famous for it's beautiful old europiean-style buildings include "Old Moji Mitsui Club" where Einstein loved to stay. Shimonoseki is famous for "Karato Market(唐戸市場)" and "Kamon Wharf(カモンワーフ)". Both Mojiko side and Shimonoseki side have observatory deck and the panoramic Kanmon Strait view with Kanmon Bridge is must-see. If you have time in the night, to visit "Mt.Sarakurayama Observatory(皿倉山展望台)" is good idea. Amazing night view of Kitakyushu town is waiting for you.

Rent a car at Fukuoka

If you want to rent or return your car in Fukuoka, the below branches are recommended. Please choose the one which is suitable for your itinerary. [1]Fukuoka Airport International Terminal Branch-福岡空港国際線ターミナル営業所 At Fukuoka airport(FUK), it is impossible to walk in between the international terminal and the domestic terminal on foot. You need to take the free shuttle bus and it takes about 15 min. Therefore, if you take an international flight, please book a rental car with this branch. From/to the international terminal, you need to take the free shuttle bus. It takes about 3 min. [2]Fukuoka Airport No.1 Branch(Domestic Terminal)-福岡空港第１営業所 If you take a domestic flight at Fukuoka airport(FUK), please book rental car with this branch. From/to domestic terminal "Exit A", it is 150m and takes 3 min on foot. [3]Hakata Station Hakata Exit Branch-博多駅博多口営業所 If you want to rent or return the car near Hakata station, it is the most convenient branch. From/to Hakata station, it is 300m and takes about 5 min on foot only. It is also convenient for hotels and restaurants too.

High light

Miyajidake Shrine

Kanmon Strait(Mekari 2nd Observatory)

Karato Market & Kamon Wharf

Stay at Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki

You will stay either Kitakyushu(北九州) or Shimonoseki(下関) city on this day. The two cities are located across the Kanmon Strait and need to cross the Kanmon Bridge by car. Most ofthe accommodations in these cityes are not Ryokans but western style hotels. If you stay Kitakyushu city, around Kokura station(小倉駅) is recommended. There are many 3-4 star hotels and convenient to have dinner due to many restaurants. If you stay Shimonoseki city, there are some 5 star hotels with panoramic view and recommended if your budget allows. In that case, it is better to book with dinner and they may provice puffer fish dinner which is their speciality. About breakfast, Karato Market(唐戸市場) in Shimonoseki side opens from early morning and it is also good idea to book room only and have a breakfast at the markt.

Day. 2Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki to Yufuin/Beppu

This day will head from Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki to Yufuin/Beppu a nationally famous hot spring resort. Mileage is about 160㎞ and not tough. First destination should be "Hiraodai(平尾台)" very panoramic karst plateau. Then let's move to the "Usa Jingu Shrine(宇佐神宮)" which is founded AD725. We recommend you to take highway from Hiraodai to Usa Jingu Shrine due to no sightseeing spots. Usa area is known as the land of "Karaage(Japanese fried chicken)" originated in Japan and recommended to have it as lunch. Our daily driving map will guide you nice shop. 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. 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.

High light

Hon Yabakei Gorge & Aono domon

Usa Jingu Shrine

Kumano Magaibutsu Buddha

Stay at Yufuin/Beppu

You will stay either Yufuin(=Yufu City(由布院)) or Beppu(別府) on this day. Two cities are about 20 km away and about 30min by car. Both cities are very famous for Onsen and most of accommodations are Japanese Ryokan with Onsen. Some western style hotels there also have Onsen facilities too. Most of accommodations in Yufuin are 4-5 star Ryokans. They will provide Onsen and nice Japanese Kaiseki style dinners. Restaurants and shops in the city close evening and you must book plan with dinner and breakfast. Beppu has many accommodations from 3-5 star. If you book nice accommodation, it is also better to book plan with dinner and breakfast. There are many reasonable hotels around Beppu station and you can book without meals because of many local restaurants. But some hotels don't have own parking and they may charge additional parking fee.

Day. 3Yufuin/Beppu to Fukuoka

This day will go back to Fukuoka from Yufuin/Beppu. Mileage is about 160㎞ and not tough. First, the biggest highlights here is both "Yufuin Yunotsubo street(由布院湯の坪街道)" and "Beppu Jigoku Hells(別府地獄めぐり)". If you haven't been there, it is highly recommended. Both places takes time to see and it is okay to spend time there because it takes 2 hours only if you take highway to Fukuoka. If you haven't been "Hita old town(日田の古い町並み)", it is also worth to visit. Additionally, " Akizuki Castle Ruin(秋月城址)" is also nice to visit especially in Autumn. 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.

Return a car at Fukuoka

High light

Beppu Jigoku Hells

Yamandon Fruit Village

Tosu Premium Outlets

Check Other 3D2N Kyushu Route

Route number	Start city	Goal city	Way	Travel Pace	Distance	Highway fee	Detail
705	Fukuoka	Fukuoka	return_trip	relaxing	420 km	¥ 0	check
707	Fukuoka	Fukuoka	return_trip	normal	480 km	¥ 0	check
708	Fukuoka	Fukuoka	return_trip	busy	500 km	¥ 1,500	check

Check Other Travel Period

Sorry, we provide our service for Kyushu and Okinawa only. Other areas are under development.

Northern Honshu(Tohoku)

Around Tokyo & Mt.Fuji(Kanto)

Chugoku&Shikoku

Kyushu

Okinawa

Japan Drive Route Guide

Fukuoka

Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki

Miyajidake Shrine

Kanmon Strait(Mekari 2nd Observatory)

Karato Market & Kamon Wharf

Karato Market & Kamon Wharf

Kanmonkyo Bridge

Shunpanro

Kanmon Strait(Mekari 2nd Observatory)

Mojiko Port Retro Area & Observatory

Kaikyo Plaza

Kanmonkaikyo Museum

SankiroSaryo

Kokura Castle

Miyajidake Shrine

MARINE WORLD uminonakamichi

Nanzoin Big Buddha

Sasagurikyudainomori

Fukuoka Airport

Nippon Rent a Car(Fukuoka Airport International Terminal)

Nippon Rent a Car(Fukuoka Airport 1 (Domestic Terminal))

Hakata Station

Nippon Rent a Car(Hakata Station Hakata Exit)

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine(Fukuoka)

Rakusuien

Yanagibashi Market

Canal City Hakata

Daimaru Hakata

Fukuoka Mitsukoshi

Iwataya

Ohori Park

Yamanaka

Ginza Tenichi(Hakata)

Hanamidori Hakata station branch

Motsunabe Echigoya

Udon Taira

Motsunabe Oyama

Hakata Miyachiku

Ichiran

Hanamidori Nakasu Main Branch

Hakata Kira

Karen

Yoshizuka Unagi

Sushi sen

Tetsunabe Gyoza

Tetsunabe Gyoza

Kawataro Nakasu

Old Moji Mitsui Club

Tanka Ichiba Market

Ashiyagama no Sato

Roadside Station Munakata

Mt.Sarakurayama Observatory

Munakata Taisha Shrine

Land Ship Cafe

Hiraodai

Senbutsu Limestone Cave

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

Kawachi Whisteria Garden

Kawachi Whisteria Garden

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki

Yufuin/Beppu

Hon Yabakei Gorge & Aono domon

Usa Jingu Shrine

Kumano Magaibutsu Buddha

Karato Market & Kamon Wharf

Kanmonkyo Bridge

Shunpanro

Kanmon Strait(Mekari 2nd Observatory)

Mojiko Port Retro Area & Observatory

Kaikyo Plaza

Kanmonkaikyo Museum

SankiroSaryo

Kokura Castle

Oita Airport(OIT)

Kitsuki Castle Town

Futagoji Temple

Fukiji Temple

Tashibunosho View Spot