Central Kyushu road trip: Fukuoka to Beppu via Kokonoe and Kurokawa

Follow an officially suggested driving route through Itoshima, the Kuju mountains, Kurokawa Onsen, Kuju Flower Park, Yufuin and Beppu, with NEXCO warnings about fog and winter tyre restrictions.

Last checked:

  • Oita
  • Kumamoto
  • Self-drive

A journey from Fukuoka to Oita crosses the Kuju mountains (). The Kyushu Tourism Organization suggests a primarily self-drive itinerary featuring Kurokawa Onsen, Kuju Flower Park, Shindo Falls, Yufuin and finally Beppu. This article summarizes that official information and adds NEXCO West Japan’s advice on fog and winter tyres. The official information does not provide journey times, distances or tolls for individual sections, so they are not listed. For car rental, see the Car rental guide.

Key points

  • Official itinerary: Fukuoka → Itoshima → Kuju mountains → Kurokawa Onsen → Kuju Flower Park → Yufuin → Beppu.
  • The official advice calls renting a car the best way. Without a car, travellers can take a highway bus from Fukuoka to Yufuin or the Yufuin no Mori train.
  • Fog is possible year-round on the Oita Expressway, and winter tyre restrictions apply in winter; ordinary tyres cannot be used during restricted periods.
  • Access to the Aso crater is subject to real-time conditions; see the Aso volcano guide.

Possible stops

Stop Official information Detailed article
Itoshima Futamigaura Beach and the Married Couple Rocks are known for sunsets; about 45 minutes by car from central Fukuoka (official itinerary) Itoshima day trip guide
Kuju mountains The route from Fukuoka to Oita passes through the Kuju mountains —
Kurokawa Onsen A popular hot spring town along the Kuju route Kurokawa Onsen guide
Kuju Flower Park About 500 varieties of flowers, with cafes, restaurants and food stalls —
Harajiri Falls Included as a nearby attraction in the official itinerary and called the “Niagara of Japan” for its horseshoe shape —
Yufuin A hot spring town suitable for an overnight stay; the Yufuin no Mori train is covered by JR Kyushu Rail Pass Yufuin walking guide
Beppu The official itinerary refers to 8 hot spring hells (the Hells Association’s website lists 7); most can be reached on foot Beppu Hells guide
Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge A pedestrian suspension bridge 390 metres long Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge guide

The two official sources differ on the number of Beppu Hells: the Kyushu Tourism Organization itinerary says 8, while the Beppu Hells Association’s combined ticket covers 7. For purchasing the combined ticket, refer to the association’s website.

Aso-Kuju National Park

According to the Kyushu Tourism Organization, the park lies in central Kyushu and is named after the surrounding mountains and active volcanoes. Established in 1934, it is among Japan’s earliest national parks and is popular year-round. Chojabaru Visitor Center () is open 9:00 to 16:00, extended to 17:00 from May to October. The organization also recommends Kumamoto’s Aso Panorama Line as a driving route.

Driving advice: Fog and winter tyres

From NEXCO West Japan’s Oita Expressway page:

  • Fog can occur throughout the year. Drive more carefully than usual in dense fog.
  • Ordinary tyres are not allowed during winter tyre restrictions.
  • The official page does not give specific dates or times for those restrictions.
  • Detour routes are provided for sections closed by fog or snow, including Yufuin IC to Hiji JCT on the Oita Expressway; Oita Agricultural Culture Park IC to Beppu IC on the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway; and the Hiji Bypass.
  • The official website offers live cameras updated every 5 minutes.

Check restriction notices before heading into mountain areas in winter.

Checks before departure

  1. If visiting the Aso crater, check the current access restrictions first.
  2. In winter, check tyre restrictions and fog conditions.
  3. Without a car, use highway buses or Yufuin no Mori; see Transport from Fukuoka to Beppu and Yufuin.

For a regional overview, see the Kyushu travel guide.

Sources