Yamanami Highway

Kyushu's most famous drive, Beppu to Aso over the Kuju mountains and Makinoto Pass

Oita Prefectural Route 11, the Yamanami Highway, runs about 50km from Beppu past Yufuin and the Handa highlands across the Kuju range over Makinoto Pass at 1333m down to Aso. Often called the most famous driving route in Kyushu and the rooftop of Kyushu, it threads grasslands, marshes and volcanic panoramas through Aso-Kuju National Park. It is a former toll road, now free, open year round but exposed to snow and ice in winter. Mind frost and ice at the pass, drifting volcanic haze, and grazing animals near the verges.