Kyushu Road Trip: Cities, Nature, and Hot Springs
Source:
@Japan Guide
19 places in Japan featured in a youtube post by Japan Guide, verified on Google Maps: Sakura no baba Josaien, Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Jojuen Garden, and 16 more.
Sakura no baba Josaien
Landmark
4.0
Sakuranobaba Josaien is a charming castle town reproduction located at the foot of Kumamoto Castle, offering a glimpse into historical Japanese life. It features traditional buildings housing shops, restaurants, and a museum, creating a vibrant atmosphere for visitors. It's an excellent place to enjoy local cuisine, purchase souvenirs, and experience the cultural heritage of Kumamoto.
Kumamoto Castle
Castle
4.4
Kumamoto Castle is one of Japan's largest and most impressive castles, though it suffered significant damage during the 2016 earthquakes and is undergoing extensive restoration. While full restoration will take years, visitors can still admire its grand scale and intricate architecture from various viewpoints around the grounds. The castle's resilience and ongoing reconstruction efforts make it a symbol of enduring history and modern craftsmanship.
Suizenji Jojuen Garden
Park
4.3
Suizenji Garden is a spacious 17th-century Japanese landscape garden built for the enjoyment of local feudal lords in Kumamoto. It features picturesque elements like a pond, diverse trees, and a miniature replica of Mount Fuji, creating a serene and beautiful setting. The garden is open to the public, offering a tranquil escape and a glimpse into historical Japanese landscape design.
Kurokawa Onsen
Place
Kurokawa Onsen is a rustic hot spring town nestled in a lush valley, celebrated for its consciously preserved traditional aesthetic with wooden buildings and earthen walls. It's known for its authentic, tranquil atmosphere and unique system allowing visitors to try out baths at multiple ryokans with a single pass. The town offers a variety of public and private baths, making it a prime destination for an immersive onsen experience.
Kinrin Lake
Place
4.0
Lake Kinrinko is a picturesque lake in Yufuin known for its mystical morning mist, especially during cooler seasons, due to the presence of hot spring water bubbling up from its bed. The lake is surrounded by a walking path, shrines, and traditional buildings, offering a serene and beautiful spot for early morning strolls. A distinctive torii gate stands in the lake, adding to its tranquil charm.
Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport)
International airport
4.3
Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport, is one of the two primary airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area and is a major hub for domestic and international flights in Japan. Travelers often use it for long-distance domestic flights to regions like Kyushu when trains might be less efficient. The airport features numerous security checks and gates for various airlines, including Japan Airlines.
Umi Jigoku
Landmark
4.2
Umi Jigoku, or "Sea Hell," is one of the famous Hells of Beppu, renowned for its stunning, steaming cobalt-blue pond. The pond's vibrant color and constant steam make it a dramatic sightseeing spot, not for bathing directly. Visitors can explore the well-maintained gardens and enjoy the unique geothermal activity, which also includes cooking food with steam from the hot springs.
Kumamoto Airport
Airport
3.7
Aso Kumamoto Airport serves as a key air travel hub for Kumamoto Prefecture and the surrounding Aso region. It connects travelers to major cities like Tokyo, offering convenience for those exploring the southern part of Kyushu. The airport provides essential services for departures and arrivals, including car rental options for continued regional exploration.
Daikanbo Lookout
Natural feature
4.6
Daikanbo Lookout provides some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the Aso Caldera, one of the largest calderas in the world. From this vantage point, visitors can see Mount Aso and the surrounding countryside, including vast agricultural fields. It's a popular stop for photographers and sightseers to appreciate the immense scale of the volcanic landscape.
Ryotei Tanokura
Hotel
4.6
Ryotei Tanokura is a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan) located in Yufuin, offering beautiful accommodations with tatami mat rooms and sliding shoji doors. Guests are provided with yukata robes, which can be worn throughout the inn and even for strolls in the town. The ryokan offers traditional multi-course kaiseki ryori dinners, typically featuring fresh seafood and local delicacies, providing an authentic cultural experience.
Kamado Jigoku
Landmark
4.1
Kamado Jigoku, or "Cooking Pot Hell," is another of Beppu's Hells, offering a variety of geothermal attractions including mud pools and boiling hot springs. This site is unique for its culinary offerings, where visitors can enjoy food items like corn, pork buns, and eggs steamed directly using the geothermal heat. It also features an 80-degree Celsius hot spring where water can be safely consumed for purported health benefits.
Beppu Beach Sand Bath
Public bath
4.0
Beppu Seaside Sand Bath offers a unique hot spring experience where guests are buried in warm, naturally heated volcanic sand on the beach. This therapeutic practice is believed to promote relaxation and improve circulation. Visitors change into traditional yukata robes before being covered by staff in the sand, with views of the sea, making it a soothing and memorable activity.
Tadewara Wetlands
Nature preserve
4.5
Tadewara Wetlands are a natural highlight along the Yamanami Highway, situated at the base of Mount Kuju, the tallest mountain in Kyushu. These scenic wetlands offer well-maintained boardwalks for leisurely walks, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the unique flora and fauna of the marshland. It's an ideal spot for nature lovers and hikers seeking tranquil natural beauty and panoramic mountain views.
Oita Airport
Airport
3.9
Oita Airport serves Oita Prefecture on Kyushu Island, acting as a gateway to its hot spring towns and volcanic landscapes. It is a key starting point for road trips across Kyushu, offering rental car services for travelers to explore the region's diverse attractions. The airport is well-equipped for arrivals and departures, including baggage services.
Mt. Nakadake
Mountain peak
4.7
Aso Nakadake Crater is the active crater of Mount Aso, one of Japan's most prominent volcanoes and part of one of the world's largest calderas. Visitors can often witness plumes of smoke rising from the crater, though access is restricted when volcanic activity is high. The surrounding landscape is rugged and volcanic, offering dramatic views even from a safe distance.
Yamanami Highway
Place
The Yamanami Highway is a scenic road stretching between Beppu and Aso, offering breathtaking views of Kyushu's mountainous interior and volcanic landscapes. It's renowned as one of Japan's most epic road trips, passing through hot spring towns like Yufuin and Kurokawa Onsen. Driving along this highway allows travelers to experience a continuous series of awe-inspiring natural attractions.
牧ノ戸峠
Natural feature
4.3
Makinoto Pass is the highest point along the scenic Yamanami Highway, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding Kuju Mountains and vast, rolling grasslands. It serves as a popular stop for travelers to enjoy the fresh mountain air and capture stunning photographs of the rugged landscape. The pass is also a starting point for various hiking trails in the region.
Yamabiko Ryokan
Japanese inn
4.4
Yamabiko Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn nestled in Kurokawa Onsen, known for its quaint aesthetic and location by a flowing river. The ryokan offers comfortable Japanese-style rooms and private baths (kashikiriburo), which can be reserved for personal use, providing a relaxing and intimate hot spring experience. Guests can enjoy traditional multi-course meals featuring local delicacies in a serene setting.
Kuju Flower Park
Farm
4.3
Kuju Flower Park is a hillside floral park boasting thousands upon thousands of vibrantly colored flowers, creating a stunning visual display. With the majestic Mount Kuju serving as a picturesque backdrop, the park offers a feast for the eyes and excellent photo opportunities. Visitors can explore various flower fields, often changing seasonally, and enjoy the diverse floral displays in a natural setting.