Hi all!
I am looking to go on a road trip in the Kyushu region, in this order:
Nagasaki > Yufu > Beppu > Miyazaki > Kagoshima > Kumamoto > Hakata.
Question,
1) Is this plan to self-drive — realistic? (planning to stay at each place for a day or two.)
2) Is buying the KEP (Kyushu Expressway Pass) alone sufficient? Do I need to top up the ETC card as well?
3) Is there a scenic route?
Thank you all.
2 comments
Some of it is scenic. I just did the Miyazaki to Fukuoka route last weekend. It’s not a hard drive but I hope you like tunnels, there’s some good length ones. But nice views of Mount Kirashima. Up through Kumamoto not neraly as scenic. I also definitely recommend either the Miyahara or the Kita Kumamoto service areas for lunch. I drive the Hakata to Beppu route up through Kokura often and not as scenic and after Kokura the expressway is only 1 lane for much of it but not that bad of a drive. Once you pass Usa and get into the hills, the views are better.
Not sure about the KEP. We just have ETC in our car. it’s about 5000 yen from Kagoshima to Fukuoka(depends slightly on which exit). Fukuoka to Beppu is around 4000 yen.
I would highly recommend going to Aso area if you have time and if the weather is good. I love driving up Mt Aso and also the Milk Road around the Aso Caldera, the view is absolutely amazing when the weather is good.
If you’re doing road trip and wanted a scenic route, I would recommend you to leave the expressway alone and go for Kokudos or even Kendos. You may not be able to cover as much milage but you’ll get a much better experience. My best driving memories in Japan were all in the mountains and by the sea, driving on the smaller roads.