Kyushu Touring Day 2

We woke up to unfortunate rainy weather this morning.
At 8:00, I met TAKURO-san in the lobby of our hotel in Yanagawa City to discuss today’s route. We set off aiming for Unzen.

Tara-dake Orange Highway in the Heavy Rain

It was raining steadily, but both Boxsters were equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Plus, the tread depth was more than sufficient. Even in the heavy rain, the Boxsters handled confidently without any sense of insecurity, allowing us to drive with peace of mind.

Once on the Tara-dake Orange Highway, a mostly straight, fast road stretches endlessly. We increased speed and headed south toward Unzen. On a clear day, you’d enjoy views of the sea along the way, but this time the rain kept the scenery from fully revealing itself. Still, driving this road in the Boxster was absolutely fantastic.

Next, the Tara-dake Rainbow Road offered a winding section with moderate curves. I wanted to take a restroom break but found no rest areas anywhere. So, we detoured slightly to a convenience store for a quick stop. After returning to the original route, we drove the Boxster onto the Unzen Green Road.

Unzen Green Road, Shimabara Mayuyama Road, and Unzen Nita Pass Loop Road

The Unzen Green Road circles around Mt. Unzen Fugen-dake. Previously, I was amazed by the smooth drive on the west side of Unzen Green Road in a 992, but this time we took the northern side clockwise.

However, the northern Unzen Green Road had heavier traffic and wasn’t as enjoyable.

Along the way, we headed south on Route 389, then onto Prefectural Route 58 (K58). From there, we drove the Boxster on K207, the Shimabara Mayuyama Road. This area offers very enjoyable winding roads.

Unfortunately, the thick fog made driving a bit challenging, but even so, the Boxster in Sport Plus mode handled the winding roads like a fish in water.

Next, we gained elevation and entered the Unzen Nita Pass Loop Road. Here, we paid a 100 yen nature conservation fee and drove the one-way winding road. I remembered it being crowded with tourists before, making it difficult to enjoy, but this time, thanks to the rain, we had it all to ourselves. Being one-way, we didn’t have to worry about oncoming traffic and could take the curves freely, fully enjoying the course.

Shifting between 3rd and 2nd gears more than necessary, we arrived at the lookout accompanied by the thrilling engine sound.

Strangely, the rain always seemed to stop whenever we got out of the car during this trip. At this lookout, the rain eased to a drizzle, and the view cleared enough to see all the way to the sea.

After a short break, we headed toward Amakusa via Route 389 to Kuchinotsu Port, one of the best roads on this trip. Enjoying a gentle downhill, we quickly arrived at Kuchinotsu Port.

Two Ferry Rides Toward Kagoshima

At Kuchinotsu Port, we completed boarding procedures and loaded the Boxster onto the ferry.

The ferry ride was comfortable, lasting about 30 minutes, and it was great to be able to rest while moving. By the time we arrived at Oniike Port, it was already past noon, so we enjoyed a delicious seafood bowl at a nearby restaurant.

Afterward, we cruised south along Route 266 and boarded another ferry from Ushibuka Port. This ferry ride was also about 30 minutes, but TAKURO-san and I got so engrossed in conversation that we missed the disembarkation announcement. When we finally snapped back to reality, we realized we were the only ones left in the cabin, so we hurried back to the car and got off just in time.

Then we enjoyed a spirited drive on K46, heading toward Satsumasendai. After checking into the hotel, we tried to visit a famous nearby ramen shop, but unfortunately, it was temporarily closed. So instead, we ate at the nearby “Kodawari Ramen Juhachiban Satsumasendai” and then returned to the hotel.

Although it was a rainy day of touring, we enjoyed different scenery and atmosphere than usual. Also, the usually busy Unzen area was quiet thanks to the rain, allowing us to drive at our own pace—one of the perks of touring in the rain.

Tomorrow, we plan to head to the main destination of this trip, the Ibusuki Skyline.

Route Map for This Trip