Drive through active crater passes, steamy hot spring valleys, ancient cedar forests, and vibrant coastal cities from northern Fukuoka down to southern Kagoshima.
7 Days / 6 Nights
Fukuoka → Kagoshima
Approx. 580 km
Oct–Nov & Mar–May
Rental Car (or JR Pass)
Kyushu is Japan’s undisputed fiery island. Driven by subterranean volcanic energy, this southern region boasts a dramatic landscape where smoldering calderas rise above lush emerald plains and therapeutic geothermal waters bubble up everywhere you look. This ultimate 7-day self-drive route connects Kyushu’s most breathtaking highlights, taking you from urban gourmet capitals to ancient mythology ravines and active sea volcanoes.
Arrive at Fukuoka Airport or Hakata Station and pick up your rental car. Spend your afternoon exploring historic temples in old Hakata town and relaxing along Ohori Park lake. When dusk falls, head to Nakasu riverfront for its iconic open-air Yatai food stalls.
Drive east towards Oita Prefecture along scenic expressways. Stop in boutique Yufuin village beneath Mt. Yufu before heading into Beppu to witness the surreal steaming blue and red geothermal "Hells of Beppu" (Jigoku Meguri).
Take the famous Yamanami Highway scenic drive straight into Mt. Aso, one of the world's largest volcanic calderas. Drive through sweeping emerald grasslands at Kusasenri-ga-hama and gaze at the active steaming crater peak.
Journey south into Miyazaki’s mythical heart. Rent a rowboat to glide beneath Manai Falls inside Takachiho Gorge’s basalt cliffs, and visit Amano Yasukawara cave shrine where Shinto sun goddess folklore was born.
Head west into Kumamoto City. Spend the afternoon marveling at the formidable stone ramparts and newly restored main keep of Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan's top three historic fortresses. Feast on garlic Kumamoto ramen at night.
Drive south along the coast into Kagoshima. Take the 15-minute car ferry across Kagoshima Bay to Sakurajima, an active smoldering volcano. Drive along lava fields before relaxing at Sengan-en garden with volcano views.
On your final day, take a trip south to Ibusuki to experience natural steam sand baths buried on the beach. Return your rental car at Kagoshima Airport (KOJ) or board a high-speed hydrofoil ferry to Yakushima Island for an extended ancient rainforest trek.
Navigating Kyushu by car offers unmatched freedom to reach hidden hot springs and crater passes.
Foreign tourists can purchase a fixed-rate Expressway Pass (KEP) with an ETC electronic toll card for major savings on highways.
You MUST carry a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention along with your native driver's license.
Prefer train travel? Use the **JR All Kyushu Rail Pass** to ride high-speed Shinkansen and luxury scenic trains like the *36plus3* or *Aso Boy!*.
