Kyushu on Wheels: A 10-Day Self-Drive

Kyushu is an ideal destination for a self-drive adventure. The landscape is vast, attractions are spread out, and the driving is relatively straightforward. Here’s a look at my recent trip. I booked a car through Toyota Rent a Car, opting for a package that included full insurance and an ETC card for tolls. (By the way, a quick note: the Kyushu Expressway Pass (KEP) that many travelers mention is no longer offered by Toyota's rental packages.) Upon arriving at Fukuoka's international terminal, there's a small Toyota counter where you use a phone to call for a shuttle bus to their main office. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. The driving rules in Japan are almost identical to those in Australia. The main difference is that at intersections, you give way to the left in Japan (as opposed to the right in Australia). It's also wise to review the rules for railway crossings. Other than that, it felt very familiar. However, I did notice that speeding seems quite common—cars were flying past me! I highly recommend using the car's built-in Japanese navigation system over Google Maps. Google Maps frequently tried to direct us down extremely narrow roads that were barely wide enough for one car. The car's GPS was much more reliable.#travel #japan