Road conditions for Takachiho?

Hi!

Wefre currently renting a car, driving from Kirishima up north to Fukuoka. The car is not equipped with winter gear (studless tires or snow chains).

We would like visit Takachiho on our way up, but have a few questions about the current road conditions:

1. If wefre driving to Takachiho from Miyazaki, as far as I can see there are major roads with many tunnels. But when reading online, people say the roads to Takachiho are very narrow and steep. Which part of the road are they talking about?

2. Does anyone know about the current road conditions, and if itfs okay to drive without winter gear in this area right now?

3. Is it also safe to go from Takachiho to Yufuin, or are those roads more difficult?

Many thanks!

If wefre driving to Takachiho from Miyazaki, as far as I can see there are major roads with many tunnels. But when reading online, people say the roads to Takachiho are very narrow and steep. Which part of the road are they talking about?

From Miyazaki city, you will drive on an Express Way to Nobeoka (E10) and then another Express way (E77, toll free) to Takachiho. Perhaps they are talking about mountainous road from Kirishima to Takachiho. I have not driven there nor do not want to.

Does anyone know about the current road conditions, and if itfs okay to drive without winter gear in this area right now?

Right now no snow. Usually it will be OK.

Is it also safe to go from Takachiho to Yufuin, or are those roads more difficult?

Right now, itfs OK. However, Takachiho to Yufuin is not Express way. You will drive winding road and the highest point is about 1300 m. But it is scenic route, so if itfs sunny, it will be a fun drive. Keep the speed limit or follow other drivers.

While it can sbow heavy in that region. It is normally light. And melts away with the morning sun.

Lots of photos online if you use google.

Thank you for the detailed response. Then it feels safe to travel to Takachiho even without winter equipment.

Does anyone know which way is best between Takachiho and Yufuin? Is it better to go via Taketa?

Does anyone know which way is best between Takachiho and Yufuin? Is it better to go via Taketa?

I have never gone directly from Takachiho town (note that there is another Takachiho-Takachiho no mine mountain - in Kyushu) to Yufuin. Both are small town surrounded by mountains and valleys. Therefore you need to take rather narrow and winding road, especially for Takachiho town side. I usually use Googlemaps to find rough idea. Then see "street view". I checked the route and most of it is what I did drive, and others will be fine. I think you will use car navigation which might show somewhat different route from what googlemaps tells, so before start you may better check beforehand.

The important point of your route is the intersection of some local road (I can't identify the number of the road) and Yamanami highway. The map code is 440 333 047*61. You can identify the posistion with Mapion or your car's Navigation system. 440 333 047*61 is totally midle of nowhere place.

And, no the route does not go through Taketa. Of course you can go to Taketa and then Yufuin, but it will be some detour. Rather you may better consider Aso or Kurokawa onsen.

Up through Takamori and Aso, gives you a few touristy stops along the way.