Southern Kyushu road trip: Nichinan Coast, Kirishima and Kagoshima

Follow an official five-day coastal driving route from Miyazaki through Takachiho, Aoshima, Udo Shrine, Obi, Toi Cape, Kirishima, Kagoshima and Ibusuki, with stated journey times and linked guides.

Last checked:

  • Miyazaki
  • Kagoshima
  • Self-drive

Southern Kyushu road trips focus on the coastline: Miyazaki’s Nichinan Coast, followed by Kirishima, Kagoshima and Ibusuki. The Kyushu Tourism Organization suggests a 5-day itinerary. This article summarizes the official information and links to detailed attraction guides. The official itinerary supplies driving times for some sections but not others; this article does not fill in the gaps. For renting a car, see the Car rental guide.

Key points

  • Official itinerary: Takachiho → Nichinan Coast → Aoshima → Udo Shrine and Obi → Toi Cape → Kagoshima → Ibusuki, with Kirishima as an inland stop.
  • The official description highlights surf beaches and a cliffside shrine along the Nichinan Coast; its roads are recommended for driving.
  • Takachiho lies inland, about 2 hours by car from central Miyazaki; the direct bus between Miyazaki and Takachiho is suspended.

Official itinerary (5 days)

Day Stops Official information
Day 1 Takachiho and Nichinan Takachiho Gorge (boat rental available), Amanoiwato Shrine and Takachiho kagura; the official itinerary says Takachiho is about 2 hours by car from the main city of Miyazaki (inland)
Day 2 Aoshima and Miyazaki coast Aoshima is linked to the mainland by a pedestrian bridge; the Devil’s Washboard stretches about 8 km along the coast; about 2 hours’ drive from Takachiho to Miyazaki City, then a little over 20 minutes south to Aoshima
Day 3 Udo Shrine, Obi and Toi Cape Udo Shrine stands on a cliff; Obi castle town has preserved samurai residences and gardens; Toi Cape is Miyazaki’s southernmost point, with wild horses; about 1 hour’s drive south from Obi
Inland Kirishima Vermilion Kirishima Shrine, lakes and volcanoes on the Ebino Plateau, and Kirishima Open-Air Museum
Day 4 Kagoshima and Sakurajima Kagoshima City faces Sakurajima across a volcanic crater lake; Sengan-en; less than 1 hour 30 minutes to central Kagoshima by car (the official itinerary does not state the starting point)
Day 5 Ibusuki Sand-bathing hot springs; Ibusuki is about 1 hour south of Kagoshima

Detailed articles for the stops

Stop Article
Takachiho Takachiho Gorge guide, Takachiho kagura performance guide
Aoshima Aoshima day trip
Udo Shrine Udo Shrine guide
Obi Obi castle town walking guide
Miyazaki transport Miyazaki transport guide
Sakurajima Sakurajima guide
Kagoshima City Sengan-en guide, Kagoshima City transport
Ibusuki Ibusuki sand bath guide

Nichinan Coast

According to the Kyushu Tourism Organization, the southern Nichinan Coast has tropical scenery with palm trees, beach cafes, burger stands and surfers. Nearby sights include Udo Shrine, Devil’s Washboard, Aoshima Shrine and Obi castle town.

Other Kagoshima stops

The official description notes that Sakurajima is an active volcano overlooking the city and is reached by ferry; Yakushima is known for ancient forests; Kirishima has Kirishima Shrine; Ibusuki has hot springs; and Chiran is known for tea. For Yakushima transport, see the Yakushima access guide.

Driving advice

  1. Driving times here are from the Kyushu Tourism Organization’s suggested itinerary; actual times depend on road conditions.
  2. Takachiho is inland. Do not plan to visit Aoshima and return to Takachiho on the same day without first checking navigation times.
  3. When Sakurajima has volcanic activity, pay attention to exclusion zones; see the Sakurajima guide.

For a regional overview, see the Kyushu travel guide.

Sources