July Marine Day Long Weekend: Shinkansen + EV Road Trip on Kyushu’s West Coast – A 4-Day, 3-Night Itinerary

Here’s a road trip itinerary for Kyushu’s west coast, designed for the three-day Marine Day weekend in July.

The journey begins in Osaka, using the Shinkansen for the long leg to Hakata, then picking up an EV near Hakata Station to connect cities like Kurume, Unzen, Obama Onsen, Sasebo, Kōzakihana, and Takeo. Rather than staying in the city centers of Fukuoka or Nagasaki, or near major attractions, this route deliberately avoids the accommodation price surges common during long weekends, aiming to complete a west coast circuit on a relatively reasonable budget.

This post covers the pre-departure route plan, accommodation choices, and budget estimates. Actual travel times, charging experiences, hotel reviews, and photo results will be added after the trip.

Travel Arrangements

Long-distance travel: plan to use JR West shareholder discount vouchers bought from a discount ticket shop to exchange for round-trip Shinkansen tickets between Shin-Osaka and Hakata.

Local transport in Kyushu: intend to rent a Tesla Model 3 near Hakata Station for about 72 hours. Charging will primarily rely on the Tesla Supercharger network; actual costs and terms depend on the rental platform and vehicle account rules.

Photography: carrying the Panasonic LUMIX S5 as the main camera for landscapes, portraits, and travel documentation.

Itinerary

Day 1: Osaka – Hakata – Kurume

Day 1 is mostly about getting there.

Depart Osaka in the evening on the Shinkansen to Hakata. After arriving, pick up the car near the station, bypass central Fukuoka, and head south on the expressway straight to Kurume.

Kurume serves as the first night’s stop, with accommodation prices more stable than central Fukuoka and convenient for continuing towards Nagasaki the next day. Depending on arrival time, we’ll have a simple dinner and rest in town.

Day 2: Kurume – Ōmura Bay – Unzen – Obama Onsen

Day 2 marks the true start of the Kyushu west coast drive.

Leave Kurume in the morning, heading toward the Ōmura Bay area. Along the way, we plan to stop at Dog Hill, a corgi-themed spot on a hillside, as a relaxed break.

In the afternoon, continue to Unzen. Once at Unzen Onsen, we’ll walk the Unzen Hell Trail, taking in the unique landscape of volcanic terrain and rising steam.

In the evening, descend from Unzen and head to the seaside Obama Onsen for the night. Obama Onsen faces Tachibana Bay and has a strong coastal onsen atmosphere. That night, we intend to experience the seaside footbath “Hottofutto 105” and have a dinner focused on seafood steamed with hot spring steam.

Day 3: Obama Onsen – Kōzakihana – Sasebo

Day 3 centers on cruising along the west coast and the scenery around Sasebo.

After checking out of Obama Onsen in the morning, we’ll drive north along the coast to Kōzakihana in Sasebo. Kōzakihana is one of the westernmost points on Japan’s main islands, where you can see the westernmost monument and coastal scenery. If time allows, we also plan to obtain a certificate of arrival at the westernmost point.

In the afternoon, we head back toward Sasebo and, depending on weather and sunset time, go to Tenkaiho or Ishidake Observatory to photograph the Kujūku Islands. The Kujūku Islands are one of Sasebo’s most iconic island landscapes; if the weather cooperates, evening will likely be one of the best shooting opportunities of the trip.

In the evening, return to central Sasebo, recharge the car and have dinner, then check in to a hotel on the hill. The advantage of a hilltop stay is escaping the city bustle while enjoying night views of Sasebo Port and the Kujūku Islands.

Day 4: Sasebo – Takeo – Hakata – Osaka

Day 4 is the return leg, at a more relaxed pace.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart Sasebo and head back toward Hakata. On the way, we’ll stop by Takeo City Library in Saga Prefecture to capture its architectural space, light, and interior atmosphere.

Arrive near Hakata Station by late afternoon to return the car. Then, depending on time, have a simple meal around the station before taking the Shinkansen back to Osaka.

Budget Estimate

The following is an estimate of costs already booked or fairly fixed for this itinerary, shown as a total for two people.

Note that this is not the final total cost of the trip. Actual expenses will include highway tolls, parking, meals, admission or experience fees, possible mileage charges from the rental platform, and personal spending.

Trip Highlights

The focus of this route is not to cram in every famous spot, but to use a combination of Shinkansen and rental car for efficient movement while avoiding the central areas where accommodation prices spike most during the long weekend.

Arriving and departing via Fukuoka, the actual driving is concentrated on Kyushu’s west coast. The three stops—Kurume, Obama Onsen, and Sasebo—each serve as a transit point, onsen stay, and scenic accommodation, respectively, making the overall route relatively smooth and leaving room for photography and rest.

If the actual experience goes smoothly, this could be a low-stress road trip route suitable for those leaving from Kansai who want to enjoy Kyushu’s west coast scenery and hot springs during a short break.