Route Options
This journey offers 2 route alternatives:
Kumamoto to Beppu - Main Route
Distance: ~78-80 km | Drive Time: 2-2.5 hours
Type: Main/Fast (Route 57)
Primary Route: National Route 57 Estimated Drive Time: 2-2.5 hours (base drive without stops)
On-Route Stops (Stops directly on the route with no detour)
Short Detour Stops (15-30 minutes off the main route)
Major Detour Stops (30+ minutes detour, significant attractions)
Kumamoto to Beppu - Scenic Route (Yamanami Highway)
Distance: ~150 km | Drive Time: 4-5 hours
Type: Scenic (Yamanami Highway - Route 11)
Primary Route: Yamanami Highway (Route 11) via Milk Road connection Estimated Drive Time: 4-5 hours base time without stops Route Character: One of Kyushu's most celebrated scenic drives, designated as one of Japan's 100 Famous Roads
On-Route Stops (Stops directly on the route with no detour)
- Makinoto Pass
- Senomoto Plateau (Senomoto Kogen)
- Chojabaru Visitor Center
- Mount Yufu Viewpoint/Trailhead
- Handa Kogen Drive Inn (Iida Kogen Drive Inn)
- Tadewara Marsh Boardwalk Trails
- Daikanbo Lookout
Short Detour Stops (15-30 minutes off the main route)
Major Detour Stops (30+ minutes detour, significant attractions)
- Kuju Mountain Range Hiking Trails
- Lake Kinrinko (Kinrin Lake)
- Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi (Dream Suspension Bridge)
- Yufuin Hot Spring Town
- Kurokawa Onsen Hot Spring Village
Generated from research: routes/kumamoto-to-beppu-main-route/kumamoto-to-beppu-main-route.md, routes/kumamoto-to-beppu-scenic-route/kumamoto-to-beppu-scenic-route.md