Kyushu 5 Days Itinerary-F

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There are many highlight sites along today’s route. And most of the shops at Yufuin are the biggest highlight of the day close around 17:00. Therefore, we strongly recommend leaving from 8:00 to 9:00.
If your departure time is late, such as leaving in the afternoon, adjust your schedule by taking the expressway or skipping some spots.

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The first destination is “Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine”, nationally famous throughout Japan as the god of learning.

The approach from the parking lot to Tenmangu Shrine is called “Tenjin-sama-dori” avenue, which is crowded with many souvenir stores and restaurants.

If you like sweets and fruits, you can also enjoy fruit picking after visiting Tenmangu Shrine. Please refer to the driving map.

１２：００
Recommended lunch is “Hita Yakisoba”, a local grilled noodle. If you have time, stop by the nearby “Hita Old Town” as it has a charming atmosphere.

After that, let’s head to Yufuin.
There are no spots between Hita and Yufuin. It is recommended to drive on the highway (E34).

１３：４５
Once you arrive in Yufuin, we recommend strolling along the Yufuin Yunotsubo Kaido (Yufuin Yunotsubo Street), lined with souvenir stores and cute little sweet stores. Enjoy eating and walking to Kinrin-ko Lake at the road’s eastern end.

Another highlight of the day, the “Beppu Jigoku Hells”, will close at 17:00. If you wish to visit it, leave Yufuin by 3:30 p.m. at the latest.

Onsen town Beppu symbolizes the “Beppu Jigoku Hells”, where hot water of various colors boils over! Five of the seven hells are within walking distance.
Be aware that the tour closes at 17:00 p.m.

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Because there are so many pots to see, we recommend leaving by 8-9 am if you want to travel without rushing.
If you are staying in Beppu, go to the “Yukemuri Observatory” first, and you will see the typical Beppu scene of steam rising.

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The first destination is the Kokonoe Suspension Bridge. It is the highest suspension bridge for pedestrians in Japan and is a must-see, especially during the season of fresh green leaves and autumn foliage.

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Kurokawa Onsen is a great place for lunch. There are nice curry shops and excellent cream puffs. This spot is also very crowded on holidays. Beyond Kurokawa Onsen, there are a number of soba noodle shops called Oguni Soba Road, which is also recommended. Please refer to the driving map.

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Further south down the Yamanami Highway is the “Nishiyunouraenchi Observatory”. Although not very famous, this is Drive Japan’s best lookout point overlooking the Mt.Aso caldera.

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This is the most famous observatory in the Mt.Aso caldera. Enjoy a 1 km round trip walk on the plateau from the parking lot to the observatory.

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If you still have time, head to “Kusasenri” on Mt. Aso.
Panorama Line Road, which was ranked No. 1 in Japan in a motorcycle magazine, will greet you with the sight of vast grasslands.

If there are no restrictions on volcanic gases, you can visit the crater. You can take the Aso Park toll road (800 yen) to the parking lot next to the crater.
Please check current restrictions before your visit.

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This is a long drive on this day, so if you want to travel without rushing, we recommend leaving by 8-9 am.

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First, let’s move on at once to visit “Takachiho Gorge”. It is one of the most beautiful gorges all over Japan and one of the most recommended spots on this entire road trip.
Boat rentals are very popular and sometimes crowded, but highly recommended!

１２：４５
10km away from Takachiho Gorge, the “Amanoiwato Shrine” is also recommended. A 10-minute walk along a riverside path called “Amanoyasukawara” will lead you to a fantastic torii gate in a cave.
After that, drive east toward the ocean. The long drive after lunch will make you sleepy, so take a break at one of the roadside stations along the way.

１５：００
“Umagasa” is a long, narrow cape jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, offering a panoramic view.
“The Sea of Cross”, a lookout point where the sea looks like a cross, is also close by and should be visited together.

It is 80 km from Miyazaki. There are not many spots in between, so you can take the expressway (E10) all the way.

Rest early because the next day will be another long drive.

９：００
Because of the long driving and many attractive spots along the route, we recommend that you leave by 8-9 am.

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The first destination is Aoshima Island, one of Miyazaki’s most popular tourist destinations. You can walk around the island with its unique scenery, called “Oni no Sentakuita” (washing board of demons).

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Heading south along the Nichinan coastline, you will arrive at [Udo Jingu Shrine].
The shrine is located in an incredible place in a cave between steep cliffs, and the contrast between the blue of the sea and the red of the shrine is magnificent. The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Jinmu, the first emperor in Japanese mythology, and is especially blessed with children.

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After lunch, you will visit “Sekinoo Falls”.
You can take a 30-minute walk along the river with its mysterious scenery of waterfalls and potholes.

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The final destination is Kirishima Jingu Shrine, which was built over 1,000 years ago. The shrine is especially beautiful during the season of fresh green leaves and autumn foliage.

Since there are few tourist attractions from Kirishima to Kagoshima, it is recommended to drive on the expressway (E3).

１０：００
You can leave slowly today.

１０：２０
First, let’s head to the Shiroyama Park Observatory.
This is the most Kagoshima-like place with a panoramic view of the city of Kagoshima and Sakurajima.

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Afterward, visit Senganen Garden, another one of Kagoshima’s most popular tourist attractions. It is the residence of the Shimazu family, which contributed greatly to the modernization of Japan, and from the garden, you can enjoy a majestic view of Sakurajima, an active volcano.

１２：４０
After that, you will take another highlight of Kagoshima, the “Sakurajima Ferry”, to Sakurajima.
From “Kagoshima Ferry Terminal” to “Sakurajima Ferry Terminal”, you can enjoy a 15-minute cruise while viewing Sakurajima. During the daytime, the ferry runs almost every 15 minutes, and reservations are not required. The standing udon noodles on board are also famous.

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When you arrive at Sakurajima, head for the restaurant of the day.
The restaurant “Okan” is owned by a fisherman and serves only the freshest Kanpachi(greater amberjack). The sashimi, boiled fish, and grilled fish are truly exquisite, and some customers even eat two meals by themselves.

１５：００
After lunch, you will drive north along Kagoshima Bay.
Tsubobatake produces black vinegar using a traditional method that has been in use for over 200 years. Tsubobatake means “field of pots,” and hundreds of pots of black vinegar are lined up like a farm.

１６：００
Driving further north, you will find Kokubu Shiroyama Park. It is an excellent photo spot with a view of Kirishima City, Kagoshima Bay, and Sakurajima, which rises in the background, as well as beautiful sunsets.
There are no attractions from here to the city of Kagoshima, so we recommend taking the expressway.

Let’s go back to the same inn as yesterday.