Northern Kyushu Self Drive 8D7N

Hi,

I will be going to kyushu on 1st April 2015. Would like to share my driving itinerary and see if it is feasible. Appreciate any comments.

Day 1-Fukuoka
Day 2-Fukuoka to Beppu/Yufuin(overnight)
Day 3-Yufuin to Kurokawa to Aso(overnight)
Day 4-Aso to Takachiho to Kumamoto(overnight)
Day 5-Kumamoto to Unzen(overnight)
Day 6- Unzen to Nagasaki(overnight)
Day 7-Nagasaki(overnight)
Day 8-Nagasaki to Fukuoka(overnight)

Am i spending too much time at some places or travelling too far on certain days?

Thank you.

It doesn't seem so rushed. In fact, you could arguably stay in one base around the Aso region and see Beppu, Kurokawa, Aso, Yufuin, etc.

I assume you're going to take the ferry to go from Kumamoto to Unzen.

You can get a decent idea about driving times from using google maps or any other map/driving program (viaMichelin, for example).

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, i will be taking the ferry from kumamoto to Unzen.

Among ur recommendations, where do u think will be the best base for my travels? Around Aso? Do you have any good lodgings location to recommend?

I have yet to book all my stays yet.

Thank you.

It very much depends on personal taste.

I love Kurokawa. I find Yufuin a bit too gentrified, and Beppu too tacky. But I'd recommend anyone to go to all three and see for themselves.

I like your plan a lot, especially about spending a night in Unzen which regrettably we didn't allocate enough time and just spent a couple of hrs there.

Note that access to Mt Aso is still restricted due to volcanic activity. Let's hope situation will improve by the time you travel. In the Aso region we enjoyed a stay in Aso Farmland. You can enjoy various onsens as well as a romantic stroll in the evening when the place is beautifully lighted up. Children can burn off some energy in Genki Forest and have a great time with cute animals in the petting zoo.

Not that it will affect your trip but worth mentioning is that we encountered a period of slight snow when we drove from Aso to Takachiho Gorge during mid March. The access road down to the gorge is narrow, steep and winding so even without snow do drive with extra care. And while in Takachiho don't miss out atmospheric Amano Yasukawara.

While staying in Kumamoto ask your hotel to make the Shimabara ferry reservation over the phone for you. We did it on a weekday and still the ferry was quite full.

Hi William,

Thanks for the kind reply. Yes, we are looking to stay in Aso Farmland, but the prices seem to be a bit steep.

Do you have any other recommended places to stay in kyushu? We are open to ryokan/onsen/hotels as long as it is a nice place with reasonable pricing.

In addition, what about food? We love sushi and sashimi? any recommendations for restaurants?

My sincere apologies for asking so many questions. It is my 1st time to kyushu and i am really excited. However, the online info is much lesser than areas like hokkaido/osaka/tokyo...hahaha!

Thank you very much!

Neither could we afford the regular rate in Aso Farmland, but we got a budget deal at 15,000 yen with 2 meals included. You have to monitor their website and hope for special deals from time to time.
http://www.asofarmland.co.jp/stay/index.html

Again in Yufuin we got a special deal at 16,000 yen in the following lovely ryokan with private onsen in the backyard, but no meal was included. It is not within town centre but on the other side of the rail tracks and is only about 5 min drive away.
http://www.yufunoirodori-oohashi.jp/

As for Fukuoka, Nagasaki and Kumamoto we opted for un-inspiring business hotels to save a bit. Look out for Toyoko Inn, Super Hotel, Dormy Inn or Comfort Hotel.

As for food you will find lots of good restaurants in Fukuoka. Most go for its ramen shops and yatai stalls but personally we don't like them much. For ramen in Kyushu we prefer those in Kagoshima. Yatai experience is unique but food seems average and over-priced to us. For fresh sashimi we went for Yanagibashi Coop Market in Fukuoka and enjoyed it very much, just don't expect a fancy restaurant setting!
http://www.yanagibashi-rengo.com/

Although I am not a fan of bakery and desserts I still enjoyed the B-Speak cake and the Kikuya-oita pudding in Yufuin.
http://www.sansou-murata.com/facilities/b-speak/
http://www.kikuya-oita.net/

Yufuin is also famous for its free-range chicken and there are many restaurants in town serving it. We ate in the following farmhouse style eating place along the riverbank.
http://www.kappou-sato.co.jp/

Not to mention additional links for different prefectures and individual cities, there are lots of online information on Kyushu, just need time to digest all. Below are just some of the many websites on general introduction to Kyushu.
http://www.visitkyushu.org/
http://www.hellojapan.asia/en/kyushu.html
http://www.visitkyushu.org/general-kyushu-area-brochures/ (click for brochures)
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1108.html
http://www.asia-planet.net/japan/kyushu.htm
http://www.yado.co.jp/index.htm
http://www.ajkj.jp/

Takachiho is known for many shrines, the gorge, and the night kagura dance.

If you aren't staying overnight, you would miss the dance (8 to 9 pm plus driving out of mountainous region)

The gorge is pretty cool. You got to row your own boat though. However, if you've been to the similar areas in China or elseparts of the world, you would realise the ride is pretty short. (Most people, including myself are not trained to row boats and the booking is for an hour; also the river is narrow which makes it good for photos and good for playing bumper boats if you get my drift)

The shrines are pretty dandy though.

Still to make a drive from Aso might not be the best use of time.

With regards to Yufuin, Beppu, or Kurokawa.
My limited information is this:
Beppu has great onsens. 7 types: the normal pool of water, cave bath, sand bath, steam bath... can't remember the rest
As it is by the pacific, expect great sunrise views especially if your hotel has elevation E.g. Suginoi

Yufuin, according to my housemate whose been to both is more of a traditional onsen resort. Those small shops and all. Compared to Beppu you wouldn't see much city stuff. (To date Beppu is the most open in terms of erotics in any Japanese city I've been)

Kurokawa, is similar to Yufuin, but according to a certain travel programme it said that Kurokawa is the cheaper alternative of Yufuin.

With regards to been based in one hotel:
The Kumamoto Prefecture has many choices. There are many onsen town or hotels that are hidden including rare types like mud onsen (ah, that's another one that Beppu has too).

With a car, getting around Kumamoto prefecture is no issue. I recommend booking a hotel at Kurokawa and Aso, one night each. Then using the tourist information counter at Kuamoto city to get any special tourist spots. There really are too many.

I think the pace looks pretty good, and driving has some distinct advantages (presuming you are acquainted with driving in Japan). Although you really don't need to start driving until your second day (...that said, Fukuoka has a few places too where driving really helps).
Nanzoin is a fantastic temple only 20 minutes from Hakata Station by train and there is nothing else in Japan like it (plus it's free!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT4VQFmHFyM
Ohori, Maizuru, and Nishi Koen are 3 parks near eachother and give a nice stroll through some natural beauty and history.
You can see a lot more on what to see and do, as well as cheaper places to stay on:
http://www.thejapanfaq.com/fukpic.html
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-j4RLa6iC7ayvBAbOn8-0...
http://yokanavi.com/access_tourist_eg
Beppu has its famous hot springs, Hell Tour, and view from atop Mt. Tsurumi:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-hOggZamc2lUNTr46ApKX...
Yufuin you might find either very tranquil, or dull. There is some hiking in the area though. As said, Mt. Aso may be closed near the crater. But there are nearby places to see, like a grand view from nearby Daikanbo, plus the Kuju Flower Garden and Nabegadaki Waterfall.
Takachiho is another famous place and scenic gorge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H49x41ViFJk
For the rest of your time, Kumamoto is the next obvious choice. It has its castle, as well as beautiful Suizenji Garden:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9xyXmU8U1g
Nagasaki is really the most interesting city on the island, and worth some good exploring:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-gbw2yXNLK92siHyNqSNx...
Lastly, it looks like you will be in the middle of cherry blossom season. There are many good spots, but two of the best are in Fukuoka, Maizuru Park and Nishi Park:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=968CH00PboY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-pJPZjNVx0
This website may also help:
http://www.visitkyushu.org

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all so much for providing all these information. Really appreciate it.

I am looking through some of the links you guys posted right now. information overload...haha!

Just to check, how do you guys book the ryokans when most of the websites are in japanese? Do you guys email them in English?

Thank you.

Yes we sometimes email ryokans or onsen hotels and simple English can get through. Most of the budget business hotels can also be reached through their English webpages. Listed below are a number of accommodation booking websites that can be used and we use Rakuten a lot. Note that although Rakuten has an English webpage their Japanese webpage has more listings and sometimes when we find a suitable hotel or ryokan in their Japanese webpage we email Rakuten in English to help with the booking.

http://travel.rakuten.com/
http://www.japanican.com/en/hotel/
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/
http://www.japan-ryokan.net/wp/
http://japantraveleronline.com/af/9031Q/Top.aspx

I think the best website is still JALAN
It is a local Japanese hotel agency. Kind of like Agoda/Bookings but only for Japan. They have the largest selection I know of.