10 days Self Drive Kyushu

[Pilatus73]

Hi,

Planning a 10 days self drive in Kyushu in December with family (2A2C). Following is my plan. Appreciate advice if the plan is doable. More into scenic in a relax pace (and have flexibility to stop along drive if something catch our attention). Need not have osen every day (can one or 2 just for experience would suffice) and some shopping. Theme park is not a must.

Is the plan doable?

Day 1: Reach Fukuoka in morning - 1 night in Fukuoka – reach (Fukuoka tower, robosquare, canal city shopping )

Day2: Pickup car – drive to Beppu (1 night) – Hells, sand bath,

Day3: Usuki, Yufuin, Kokonoe "Yume" stay at either Yufuin or Kurokawa (1 night)

Day4:Mt Aso, Takachiho stay at either Aso farmland or Takachiho(1 night)

Day5:Kumamoto - castle, Suizenji Garden (1 night at kumamoto)

Day6:Kumamoto to Shimabara, Unzen – return car at Nagasaki (4 nights a Nagasaki)

Day 7-10: Atomic bomb museum, peace park, mt Insa, Hasima island, Dejima, Penguin aquarium, Glover garden, Confucian shrine Koshibyo ) – fly out from Nagasaki

the drop off charge is quite expensive about 12000 yen (is this the norm?) Was considering if I should have the car when I'm in Nagasaki - cut to 3 nights and drive back to Fukuoka and 1 night at Fukuoka before flying out from Fukuoka. Fly out is to Tokyo (another 5 nights). I have yet to book internal flight yet.

Any recommendations on accommodation in
- Kurokawa/Yufuin (read mix reviews and unsure where I should stay)
- Kumamoto
- Takachiho? Is Aso farmland worth it?

Accommodation which I had booked Dormy Inn (Fukuoka and Nagasaki) and happy Neko in Beppu.

Thanks in advance.

 

[kifo]

On your 2nd day, do you mean you are only going to Beppu on a day trip? You are going to drove all the way back to Fukuoka and on the 3rd day drive all the way back to Yufuin and Usuki? Isn't this rather a waste of time and fuel? Why not stay at Beppu?

Maybe you can already return the car on day 5 done you are just staying at Kumamoto. I think there should be convenient bus transport to Unzen from there.

You should try to spend a night at Kurokawa. It is wonderful. What is your budget for Ourokawa, Yufuin and Takachiho? Many of the Ryokans are quite expensive.

 

[Pilatus73]

Hi Kifo - corrected a typo. Intend to stay 1 night i Fukuoka in day 1. For day 2 - the plan is to stay at Beppu (1 night) and day 3 off from Beppu to Usuki/Yufuin and bed at either Yufuin or Kurokawa.

I'm also quite keen to stay in Kurokawa. Day 3 probably will take in Usuki, Yufuin, Yume (not sure whether too stretch) and bed at Kurokawa. Budget of about $600+ for a family of 4 for a night in Kurokawa - is it too low?

For Takachiho - - not sure if all accommodation are those ryokan style. was looking for normal hotel with cheaper rate.

 

[evilerniex]

how about returning the car to fukuoka after Unzen and the taking the train to Nagasaki? so u pay 4700yen for the ltd. exp. from hakata to nagasaki, instead of the 12000yen drop-off charge

 

[kifo]

Hi Kifo - corrected a typo. Intend to stay 1 night i Fukuoka in day 1. For day 2 - the plan is to stay at Beppu (1 night) and day 3 off from Beppu to Usuki/Yufuin and bed at either Yufuin or Kurokawa.

I'm also quite keen to stay in Kurokawa. Day 3 probably will take in Usuki, Yufuin, Yume (not sure whether too stretch) and bed at Kurokawa. Budget of about $600+ for a family of 4 for a night in Kurokawa - is it too low?

For Takachiho - - not sure if all accommodation are those ryokan style. was looking for normal hotel with cheaper rate.

Japan Guide has some recommendation for Kurokawa. Or else you can see what is ranked highest on Rakuten.

I think there are a few small hotels in Takachiho. But it is really a small place so ryokans are more plentiful.

 

[akc850]

Hi,

Day4:Mt Aso, Takachiho stay at either Aso farmland or Takachiho(1 night)

How long do you intend to stay at Mt Aso? Half a day?

Travelling by car from Mt Aso to Takachiho takes around 1hr 10 minutes (according to Google Maps)

Going December period typically means that sunset will come early so make sure you adjust your body clock and schedule accordingly.

Do make sure to keep track of all attractions' opening hours in order not to be caught by surprise.

 

[Pilatus73]

Thanks for all the advice.