Taking a Self Guided Tour Around Kyushu with Drive Japan!

The 1st day we headed from Fukuoka to Yufuin/Beppu a nationally famous hot spring resort!
It's a long trip but we also had a lot to see in between! We set off quite early as most of the shops and sightseeing spots close about 17-18 o'clock in Yufuin and Beppu. So we also recommended to start 8:00～9:00 if you don't like rushing around. 

The first destination we saw was "Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine(太宰府天満宮)" the most famous of shrines in Kyushu. You can enjoy many shops that have local products and food. If you like sweets and fruit, it is good idea to go fruit picking after visiting the shrine. "Hita old town(日田の古い町並み)" is a great place to have lunch. The daily driving map that we had took us to a eel restaurant, but you can also have ”Hita Yakisoba” at a local grilled noodle restaurant.

Then we set off to Yuhuin. The main street "Yufuin Yunotsubo street(由布院湯の坪街道)" is filled with charming shops selling local products and food too and we enjoyed walking to a small beautiful "Lake Kinrinko(金鱗湖)". 

From Yufuin to Beppu it takes about 40 minutes. A Highlight in Beppu is "Beppu Jigoku Hells(別府地獄めぐり)" and it is highly recommended but is closed at 17:00 so you might need to rush. 

Onsen was wating for us to heal our fatigue of the busy day. 
One thing that Drive Japan told us was that they can recommend you different places during the cherry blossom period in spring and autumn coloured leaves period. It would be a great time for you to travel during this time. 

Day 2 will take you from Yufuin/Beppu to Aso.
Again, this trip has a lot packed in so we headed out at about 8am to try and get everything included! 
The first destination was "Kokonoe Suspension Bridge(九重夢大吊橋)". We were told that you can see wonderful coloured leaves in the Autumn. We then stopped at a farm which provided fresh yogurt drinks as well as beautiful wetlands which has 1 - 2.5km walking trails.

"Kurokawa Onsen town(黒川温泉)" is where we stopped off for lunch. Our daily driving map gave us a hint at what the nice recommended restaurants are there. 

The biggest highlight on this day though, was driving along the Aso Sky Line from "Skyline observatory" to "Daikanbo Observatory(大観峰)". Driving on outer rim of the Aso caldera was a once in a lifetime unforgettable experience. We finally headed to to "Kusasenri(草千里)". which had breathtaking panoramic grass plains. 

The Aso area is where we stayed, out in nature.  We reached the designated stopping point at around 6pm.

Our last day we would be going back to Fukuoka from Aso. With a whopping 200km drive and a few spots in between we headed out super early to fit them in. 
We headed out to Kumamoto City first! 

The symbol of the city ”Kumamoto castle(熊本城)” is under reconstruction from the damage of the earthquakes that hit a few years ago. We didn't you might fit in a visit to the wonderful Japanese garden "Suizenji Jojuen Garden(水前寺成趣園)". After this our next destination was Yanagawa town. "Ohana Shotoen(御花松涛園)" is an old house and amazing Japanese garden which was built about 300 years ago. 

We tried out the recommended lunch on this day which was Kumamoto Ramen, but you might have  traditional grilled eel or cheap but good local Udon noodles. 

"Yame Chuo Tea Gaden(八女中央大茶園)" was highly recommended to visit, so we headed there. It is a secret spot which is only reachable by car and we were amazed due to panoramic scenery covered with green tea trees. 

Traffic can get heavy in Fukuoka and it takes time to fill up on fuel and return your car too. If you're like us and aren't staying in Fukuoka, it might be best to head out earlier so that you can return the car and get your flight out.