hitching a lift from osaka to fukuoka

hi am thinking of hitching a lift from osaka to fukuoka end of september, where would be best to get a lift, the starting area in osaka? or is anybody doing the trip off here?

I would recommend taking a long-distance bus (if budget travel is the reason you are trying to get a lift).

Drivers travelling such a long distance utilize the highway network, which are closed to pedestrians. In effect, this separates would be drivers and passengers from each other making it almost impossible for them to connect.

As suggested, a good alternative are highway buses and night buses. The fares are cheap and probably better than splitting gas, not to mention highway tolls.

Not so hard until getting first car via ExpWay for WEST.

Step 1
Find and go to nearest large 100Y(108Y w/tax) shop ("Daiso" better).
Buy a White board/ホワイトボート and a fat size marker(Black or Blue) for white board with eraser.
Most JP hitchiker using "スケッチブック/sketchbook" or getting free and easy "ダンボール/cardboard"
with "油性ペン(ゆせい-/油 is oil)/permanent marker " but no good when rain.
http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/tkhero11/imgs/8/0/80e1a294.jpg

Step 2
Write a Name of Big City as not too far section
for "神戸/Kobe" or "姫路/Himeji" by Kanji letter best.
Too far "福岡/Fukuoka" is no good
bc most drivers feel a big stress especially if who cann't speak EN well.
ExpWay name "中国自動車道/Chugoku ExpWay" also good.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%ABgoku_Expressway
With 方面(houmen) means just "direction of/for" as area about/roughly.
http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/tomochan0714/imgs/e/2/e2bd4d46.jpg

Step 3
Check the MAP(or asking to local) and the directions
for entering ExpWay(高速道路：kousoku-douro) best route.
In fact also you can reach to Fukuoka without Expway but need to take a long time.
Fukuoka is about 600km far west if no ExpWay ave. speed will be 35km/h usual.
(ExpWay ave. speed will be over 70km/h usual include some breaks at SA/PA.

Step 4
Stand safe place and start finding a good car.
Learn about vehicle registration plates Kanji(area name) meaning before recommend.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Japan
JP wiki best table listed fr North(East) to South(West).
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%81%AE%E3%83%8A%E3%...
Osaka is "大阪(府 -fu)" you already know.
You will be 大阪 - 兵庫 - 岡山 - 広島 - 山口 finally reached 福岡.
In Japan called vehicleregistration plate is "ナンバープレート/number plate" or more simple only "ナンバー".
If 神戸's called 神戸ナンバー usual.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Most Japanese know about "hitching a lift"
but use simple JP-EN "hitchike/ヒッチハイク" best as word.
Don't forget say "Thank you".
Catch a large truck best moving for long as one time.

Words of ExpWay :
IC is short of インターチェンジ/inter change means ExpWay enter/exit.
SA/PA is サービスエリア(service area)/パーキングエリア(parking area).
SA is larger and convenient restaurants and gas staion
with also getting free car road map except midnight.
(note)
At ExpWay bus stop(BS) which placed main road side
cannot catch and getting off both as Expway traffic law.
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/49002394.jpg
All ExpWay main car road sections cannot enter any walker and cyclist.
(include unter 125cc mortorcycle and mini-car)