Oita / Kumamoto · Japan
Yamanami Highway
11Beppu, Oita to Aso (Ichinomiya), Kumamoto
Kyushu’s most famous drive, Beppu to Aso over the Kuju mountains and Makinoto Pass.
Oita Prefectural Route 11, the Yamanami Highway, runs about 50 km from Beppu past Yufuin and the Handa highlands across the Kuju range over Makinoto Pass at 1333 m 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.
Where it runs54.8 mi · point to point
Navigate to the start: Apple Maps · Google Maps
Character
Corners
busiest around mile 16Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%215.3 – 1,330.5 mPoints of interest1 stop
- Bonze HellLandmarkat the start
Hazards
- Winter frost and ice
- Volcanic haze
- Animals near verges
Sources
“the reason why Yamanami Highway is popular is its vast, rolling views and open landscapes, akin to roads in America or New Zealand”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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