Kyushu - 1 day car rental ideas?

[J-popsy]

Hello.
Mid-May I'll be spending a week on Kyushu , making my way south to north mainly by train. I fly in to Kagoshima and out of Fukuoka.. One of my planned stops for a night is Kumamoto. In order to explore the countryside a little I had an idea to not stay in Kumamoto but hire a car when I arrive and then head east inland or west on to the island Amakusa, and spend the night in a quiet hotel or ryokan. Then head back to Kumamoto the next day to drop off the car and continue to Nagasaki by train. Any thoughts about the better option, or even another idea? Thanks for any input.

 

[mdchachi]

Sounds like a good plan. As long as you're comfortable driving UK-style it should be fine. I'd be inclined to go to Mt Aso National Park and maybe stay at an onsen in Kurokawa. I'm not sure what there is to do or see along the coast. I assume you'd get great seafood there. I guess it depends if you would prefer to see the mountains or the coast. Either way sounds like a great trip.

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

There are short-distance ferries from Kagoshima to Amakusa and Nagasaki, which can save travel time. Additionally, there is a ferry from Kumamoto to Unzen, which you can also use.

The hotel I recommend from my stay in Kagoshima is "Myoken Ishiharaso." It has several open-air baths along the river, creating a charming and scenic atmosphere.

[Official Website] Myoken Ishiharaso | Kagoshima Hotspring Inn

Welcome to Myoken Ishiharaso. Nestled in the great outdoors, we are approximately 15 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport.

www.m-ishiharaso.com

Grand Prize in the Overall Category｜Myoken Ishiharaso [Kagoshima, Myoken Onsen]

【温泉宿アワード2025】総合部門TOP3｜120人の温泉好きが選んだ珠玉の宿

【温泉宿アワード2025 総合部門TOP3｜120人の温泉好きが選んだ珠玉の宿】2024年版からパワーアップした「温泉宿アワード」のグランプリが決定しました！今回は総合部門TOP3の宿と、担当編集者たちが特集を振り返り「温泉宿のいま」を語り合う座談会です。

www.fujingaho.jp

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

Every time I pass through Amakusa, I always want to stay at "Amakusa Tenkū no Fune." The nearby islands and beaches are absolutely beautiful.

Official - AMAKUSA TENKU NO FUNE

Oceanview rooms & private outdoor baths, floating over the calm amakusa seas

www.tenku-f.jp

When touring in Amakusa, I always take the "Amakusa Orange Line." This is the nickname for the "Kamishima Chuo Wide-Area Agricultural Road," which opened in 2009.

天空ロード『天草オレンジライン』を走ろう！ | サラリーマン卒業→そうだ、天草、行こう！

天草上島を縦走する「上島中央広域農道」通称「天草オレンジライン」（ルート図はこちら）。全長約23km、伊豆スカイラインの半分ほどの長さで上天草市松島町から天草市下浦町までを結ぶ。不知火海、倉岳山麓や老岳山麓、有明海と雲仙、教良木盆地と教良

ichibosha.jugem.jp

Since it runs through the center of the island, there are no traffic lights, making for a smooth and enjoyable ride. Plus, there are several scenic viewpoints along the way, making it a fun and picturesque route.

map :

https://kami-amakusa.jp/wp-content/themes/gamma/library/images/amakusa21.pdf

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

I would also like to stay at another luxury hotel in Kami-Amakusa, "Amanojaku."

AMANOJYAKU - A Special Moment to Enjoy the Beautiful Scenery of Matsushima

Ocean-View Suites with Hot Springs and Delightful Seafood. A Small Luxury Hotel Comprising 11 Rooms and a Dining Facility, All Overlooking the Sea.

amanojyaku.jp

This is the official website of the Amakusa Tourism Association

https://www.t-island.jp.e.aex.hp.transer.com/about

"Amakusa is archipelago consisting of islands of big things and small things more than 120 among the blue seas.
We marry the Kyushu mainland at five bridges called Itsutsubashi, Amakusa. There are facilities conveying history of island, European medieval culture and Christian of dinosaur that dolphins watching and fossil of carnivorous dinosaur largest in Japan which we can enjoy were discovered and is island brought up by nature and culture throughout the year. In addition, we let go through for one year and can enjoy seasonal food of seafood riches of the soil anytime."

"Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion" Explanation Video


My recommended sightseeing spot in Amakusa is "Tomioka Castle." You can learn about what happened after the Shimabara Rebellion.


Kumamoto Travel Guide

The Official Kumamoto Prefecture Website: More, More, Kuma-Motto!

This is the Official Kumamoto Prefecture Tourism Website, introducing the many charms of Kumamoto prefecture, from Mt. Aso, where you can fully enjoy nature, to whale watching, hot springs, World Heritage Sites and more. Find out all you need to know for your trip to Kumamoto, including...

kumamoto.guide

Shimatetsu Ferry: Oniike Port (Amakusa) → Kuchinotsu Port (Minami-Shimabara) - 30-minute boat trip


The fares for the Shimatetsu Ferry in the video may have changed, so please check the Shimabara Railway website for the latest information.

Timetables / Fares | Ferry | 島原鉄道

Shimatetsu Ferries are ferries that travel a 30-minute route between Kuchinotsu Port in the southern tip of the Shimabara peninsula and Amakusa Oniike Port. The 2 vessels,

en.shimatetsu.co.jp

 

[J-popsy]

Thanks for the abundant information . Unfortunately I'm not a luxury-class traveller.