Kyushu suggestions?

I am visiting friends in Kyushu, and I have two days in between to do something.

I leave on friend in Miyazaki and meet up a few days later with another friend in Oita. I was thinking of going to Aso for those few days in between, but thought I would ask if anyone had any other suggestions? I don't really know Kyushu at all... I won't have a car, so public transport is a must.

thanks!
sweeny

A highly worthwhile side trip south of Miyazaki is the Nichinan Coast.
http://www.kankou-nichinan.jp/

Besides Aso, between Miyazaki and Oita a popular destination is the Takachiho Gorge.
http://takachiho-kanko.info/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e8052.html

The Usuki Sekibutsu Stone Buddhas is a well-known sight while in Oita.
http://sekibutsu.com/
http://www.visit-oita.jp/spot/spot0293.e.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4742.html

Not far from Oita is touristy Beppu.
http://www.city.beppu.oita.jp/02kankou/english/index.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4700.html

More interesting than Beppu is nearby Yufuin.
http://yufuin.or.jp/global/index.php?easiestml_lang=en
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4750.html

I agree that Beppu is not that interesting.

Kyushu is great and has A LOT to offer.
Maybe you can find inspiration here:
http://zoomingjapan.com/tag/kyushu/

Not included in the list (have yet to update) is Kagoshima / Sakurajima, Mt. Aso, Kumamoto, Beppu ... all of these I'd recommend as well.

ah thankyou everyone!

with some luck and timing I should be able to hit up almost everything on this list :-)

I have a trip to Yakushima planned for next year - it was just too hard this trip, but everything else seems doable. And gorgeous too.

I'm not sure I understand the comments about Beppu at all - it is not Tokyo or Kyoto, but it is one of the more interesting places in Kyushu. And Yufuin more interesting? Yufuin has some nice hot springs and some good hiking, yet is very quiet - even dull. But some people need some of that after a lot of city stress, I suppose.
But in Beppu the hot springs, the Hells Tour, the Monkey Park/aquarium, and the Mt Tsurumi view are also very much worth seeing. If you want a preview, try:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2NNi8MLcXM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zepPfkuqhok
But if you want the most interesting city in Kyushu, it is really Nagasaki. There is such a blend of China and the West that makes the city truly unique in Japan. And on a really clear night the view from Mt. Inasa alone makes the trip worth it. See:
http://www.ngs-kenkanren.com/eng/
http://www.at-nagasaki.jp/yakei/en/index.php
http://www.at-nagasaki.jp/foreign/english/
Ultimately it's up to you though; just to give other places a fair shot you might look through:
http://www.welcomekyushu.com
http://visitkyushu.org

I really, really want to go to Nakasaki, but it just isn't a goer this trip - I am meeting friends in Nobeoka, Oita, and Hakata, and given time contraints etc... but I will definitely make it there, and it is nice to hear someone reccomend it!

As an onsen fan, I prefer Beppu over Yufuin. It has a much wider variety of great baths and waters than Yufuin.