Kyushu road trip planner: Fukuoka to Yufuin, Beppu, Aso and Nagasaki
Key points
- This guide starts from Fukuoka Airport. Several rental companies have offices for the international terminal, with a counter in the terminal and a shuttle to the office.
- From Dazaifu IC, Yufuin IC is about 72 minutes (104 km), Beppu IC about 91 minutes, Kumamoto IC about 56 minutes and Nagasaki IC about 87 minutes by expressway.
- Standard-car tolls from Dazaifu IC range from ¥2,630 (Kumamoto) to ¥3,610 (Nagasaki) in our Drive Plaza search.
- The Aso-san park road to Kusasenri can be closed while there are restrictions around the crater. Check before you go.
This guide starts from Fukuoka Airport. From Dazaifu IC, the expressway takes you to Yufuin in about 72 minutes, Beppu in about 91 minutes, Kumamoto in about 56 minutes and Nagasaki in about 87 minutes. Standard-car tolls are around ¥2,600 to ¥3,600 one way. Plan one long drive a day, and check the road to Kusasenri on Mt Aso before you go.
How long are the main drives from Fukuoka?
| Drive | Distance | Time | Toll (standard car) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dazaifu IC – Yufuin IC | 104.0 km | about 72 min | ¥2,950 |
| Dazaifu IC – Beppu IC | 127.9 km | about 91 min | ¥3,440 |
| Dazaifu IC – Kumamoto IC | 91.2 km | about 56 min | ¥2,630 |
| Dazaifu IC – Nagasaki IC | 136.2 km | about 87 min | ¥3,610 |
Source: Drive Plaza toll and route search, standard car, weekday 10:00 departure (checked on 26 October 2026). Times are between interchanges only.
The toll was the same with ETC and in cash in our weekday search. ETC discounts depend on the day and time, so check the official toll search for your own trip.
At Dazaifu IC you cannot go between the Fukuoka Urban Expressway and ordinary roads, according to Drive Plaza. Let your navigation plan the route to the expressway.
Where do I pick up the car at Fukuoka Airport?
Fukuoka Airport’s domestic and international terminals are not next to each other, so book the office that matches your arrival terminal.
| Company | How you get to the car |
|---|---|
| Toyota Rent a Car | Walk from the domestic terminal (about 5–10 minutes) |
| Nippon Rent-A-Car | Counter in the international terminal, then shuttle. No shuttle to the domestic terminal |
| Times Car Rental | Counter in the international terminal, then free shuttle (the shop is 1.5 km away) |
| ORIX Rent-A-Car | Counter in the international terminal, then free shuttle. Domestic arrivals should book the Terminal East branch |
Source: Toyota Rent a Car; Nippon Rent-A-Car; Times Car Rental; ORIX Rent-A-Car (checked on 26 October 2026)
What can I see on the way to Yufuin and Beppu?
| Stop | Notes |
|---|---|
| Michi-no-Eki Harazuru | 5 minutes from Haki IC. 8:30–17:30 |
| Michi-no-Eki Dowa-no-Sato Kusu | Facing Kusu IC. 9:00–18:00 (9:00–17:00 December–February) |
| Michi-no-Eki Yufuin | Right in front of Yufuin IC, with views of Mt Yufu |
| Beppu Hells (Jigoku Meguri) | About 5 minutes from Beppu IC. 8:00–17:00. About 615 free parking spaces. Combined ticket ¥2,400 for adults |
Source: Japan Michi-no-Eki Association; MLIT Kyushu Regional Development Bureau; Beppu Jigoku Association (checked on 26 October 2026)
What can I see around Kumamoto and Aso?
| Stop | Notes |
|---|---|
| Michi-no-Eki Ozu | On National Route 57, about 13 km east of Kumamoto IC |
| Michi-no-Eki Aso | Next to JR Aso Station. Tourist information in Japanese, English and Chinese. 9:00–18:00 |
| Kusasenri-ga-hama | Grassland on Mt Aso. Parking ¥500 per car |
| Michi-no-Eki Oguni | North of Aso, 50 minutes from Hita IC. 8:30–17:00 |
Source: Japan Michi-no-Eki Association; MLIT Kyushu Regional Development Bureau; Kumamoto Guide (checked on 26 October 2026)
The Aso-san park road can be closed while restrictions around the crater are in force. Check the latest information before you drive up.
What about Dazaifu?
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is in Dazaifu City. Its gates open at 6:00 or 6:30 and close between 18:30 and 19:30, depending on the season. We could not find official parking information, so check before you drive there.
Source: Dazaifu City (checked on 26 October 2026)
FAQ
- How long does it take to drive from Fukuoka to Yufuin?
- Dazaifu IC to Yufuin IC is 104 km and about 72 minutes on the expressway, according to the Drive Plaza route search. Add the time from Fukuoka Airport to Dazaifu IC and for breaks.
- How much are expressway tolls from Fukuoka?
- For a standard car from Dazaifu IC, our Drive Plaza search showed ¥2,950 to Yufuin IC, ¥3,440 to Beppu IC, ¥2,630 to Kumamoto IC and ¥3,610 to Nagasaki IC. ETC discounts depend on the day and time.
- Where do I pick up a rental car at Fukuoka Airport?
- It depends on the company and the terminal. Toyota Rent a Car's Fukuoka Airport shop is a short walk from the domestic terminal. Nippon Rent-A-Car, Times and ORIX have counters in the international terminal and take you to their offices by shuttle.
- Can I always drive to Kusasenri on Mt Aso?
- Not always. The Aso-san park road can be closed while restrictions around the crater are in force. Check the latest information before you go.
Sources
- Drive Plaza (NEXCO): Toll and route search, Dazaifu IC – Yufuin IC
- Japan Michi-no-Eki Association: Michi-no-Eki station pages
- Beppu Jigoku Association: Access
- Kumamoto Prefecture tourism (Kumamoto Guide): Kusasenri-ga-hama
- Times Car Rental: Fukuoka Airport International Terminal
- ORIX Rent-A-Car: Fukuoka Airport International Terminal
Update history
- Published.