Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Route At a Glance: 5-Day Fukuoka & Central Kyushu Volcanic Loop
| Day | Route & Municipalities | Distance & Drive Time | Route Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fukuoka → Dazaifu → Yufuin → Beppu | ~145 km · 2h 10m | Dazaifu Tenmangu, Lake Kinrinko in Yufuin, Beppu Hells (Jigoku Meguri) & sand baths (Ōita Prefecture) |
| Day 2 | Beppu → Yamanami Highway (Route 11) → Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge → Kurokawa Onsen | ~75 km · 1h 45m | Tadewara Wetlands boardwalk, Makinoto Pass (1,330 m), Tegata wooden bath pass hopping in Kurokawa Onsen |
| Day 3 | Kurokawa Onsen → Daikanbo Lookout → Mt. Aso (Kusasenri) → Takachiho Gorge | ~95 km · 2h 15m | Aso caldera viewpoint, Kusasenri prairie, rowboats under Manai Waterfall in Takachiho (Miyazaki Prefecture) |
| Day 4–5 | Takachiho → Kumamoto → Yanagawa → Return to Fukuoka | ~195 km · 3h 15m | Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Jojuen Garden, Yanagawa canal punting & steamed unagi |
Kyushu Expressway Pass (KEP) vs. JR Kyushu Rail Pass + Highway Buses
| 5-Day Northern/Central Kyushu Option | 1 Solo Traveler | 2 Travelers (Couple) | 4 Travelers (Family / Group) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR Northern Kyushu Pass (5d) + SunQ Highway Buses (Kurokawa/Takachiho) | ¥15,000 + ¥9,000 = ¥24,000 | ¥48,000 total | ¥96,000 total |
| 5-Day Fukuoka Round-Trip Car Rental + 5-Day KEP Pass Compact car ¥32,500 + 5-day KEP ¥6,600 + Fuel ¥6,200 + ¥0 drop-off |
¥45,300 | ¥45,300 total (¥22,650/person — cheaper than rail + bus!) | ¥51,300 total (¥12,825/person!) |
Essential Kyushu Driving Tips
- Kyushu Expressway Pass (KEP): Covers NEXCO West expressways across Kyushu for flat rates: 2 days ¥3,600, 3 days ¥4,600, 4 days ¥5,600, 5 days ¥6,600, 7 days ¥8,600.
- Reserve Takachiho Gorge Rowboats 1–2 Weeks Ahead: Even when arriving early by rental car (park at Obashi or Oshioi parking lots, ¥500), Takachiho Gorge rental boats sell out online via the official Takachiho Tourism Association portal when reservations open two weeks prior.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Yamanami Highway from Yufuin to Mount Aso toll-free?
Yes! Prefectural Route 11 (the Yamanami Highway) connecting Yufuin/Beppu with the Kuju Mountains, Kurokawa Onsen, and the Mount Aso caldera is completely toll-free and well-paved.
Can you reach Kurokawa Onsen and Takachiho Gorge without a car?
Limited highway buses connect Fukuoka/Kumamoto/Beppu with Kurokawa Onsen and Takachiho, but they require advance seat reservations and offer only 1–3 departures per day. Driving a rental car lets you combine Yufuin, the Yamanami Highway, Kurokawa Onsen, Daikanbo, Mount Aso, and Takachiho Gorge seamlessly.
How much is the Kyushu Expressway Pass (KEP)?
The Kyushu Expressway Pass costs ¥3,600 for 2 days, ¥4,600 for 3 days, ¥5,600 for 4 days, ¥6,600 for 5 days, and ¥8,600 for 7 days for foreign visitors renting an ETC-equipped vehicle.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: