Prettiest coastal stretches in Kyushu

Hi all!

Will be spending a couple of weeks driving round Kyushu and looking for suggestions from people who have travelled extensively around the island on what they reckon are the, say, half dozen prettiest stretches of coast to drive along. I can't do it all, so need to be a bit selective!

If its of help, I tend to prefer rugged, isolated views, preferably with little traffic. Stretches with pristine beaches also ok (I'll be going in late May, so stopping off for a swim if the weather is nice would be likely!), but really not into crowded beaches near big urban centres.

If you could give specific road numbers and point-to-point drives, that'd be cool!

Thanks!

For spectacular coastal scenery we love the drive along the Nichinan Coast on the SE side of Kyushu, not sure about the swimming part though.

http://www.kankou-nichinan.jp/

I cannot agree more.
Pristine. Rocky. Peaceful. Few people.

That is Miyazaki's coast. Drive from Miyazaki city down south all the way till the next city.
Popular with surfers in summer.


Kumamoto has nice beaches but not interesting coastal areas.
Kagoshima area has nothing much besides Sakuarjima island in the distance.
Fukukoka has nothing much either.
Beppu has beaches and some coastal areas but is mostly used just as a viewing spot while in the hot spring. Don't expect any spectacular views. All in all, miyazaki is best.

I also recommend the Nichinan coast (Miyazaki Prefecture)!
There's also a bus that drives along the coast and there are some interesting destinations, e.g.
Aoshima: http://zoomingjapan.com/travel/miyazaki-aoshima/
Udo Shrine: http://zoomingjapan.com/travel/udo-shrine-in-miyazaki/
Sunmesse Nichinan: http://zoomingjapan.com/travel/miyazaki-sunmesse-nichinan/

But Kagoshima / Sakurajima as well as Nagasaki (Nagasaki, Hirado) also have some beautiful coastal stretches. :D

Thank you so much, guys!
Seems like Nichinan is the one to do!
Good to know around Hirado is also nice, as I plan to stay a few days up there at the free campground...