KYUSHU EXPRESSWAY- 九州自動車道 - JAPAN TRIP

The Expressway network of Japan covers a total distance of about 7,000 kilometers from Hokkaido to Kyushu including Okinawa. Driving on the expressway should not be a problem for foreign visitors as all the major signs are written in both in Japanese and English. The speed limit is usually 80 or 100 km/h. Using the expressway to get from one city or town to another is very convenient. However, the Japanese tolls are quite expensive. I am no stranger to the Kyushu expressway as I used to drive around Kyushu on business trips in the 90's. My Japanese friend, Matsuzaka san was kind enough to lend me his car when I told him that we wanted to visit Yufuin, a small hot spring town near Beppu.

The Kyushu-Oita Expressway.

There are quite a number of tunnels along this expressway.

Approaching the Tosu IC

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On the Japanese Expressways, there are 2 types of rest areas, the small ones are called "Parking area" (PA) and big ones are named as "Service area". (SA). With the PAs, there are some small shops, restaurant, food stalls, vending machines (cigarettes and drinks) and toilets while the SAs provides a larger area where more services and facilities are available. They have free wireless LAN, 2-3 restaurants, ATMs, bigger shopping outlets, food stalls, gas station, toilets, garden and etc. On the way back to Fukuoka, we took a break at this Kiyama "基山" PA.

Shops and restaurants at this PA

The popular Umegae mochi "梅ヶ枝餅" (Rice cakes filled with red bean paste), Yaki Chikuwa "焼きちくわ" (Grilled fish cakes), Tempura "天ぷら" (Deep fried vegetables or seafood) and "Xiao Long Bao "小龍包"(Juicy Pork Soup Dumplings) were sold in this food stall.The famous Saga Wagyu "佐賀和牛" (Saga beef) was also available here. After a break of 25 minutes, we headed back to Fukuoka Entering the Fukuoka City Expressway (福岡高速1号線) after passing through the Dazaifu IC. The City expressway is a good example of spectacular engineering.

Returning to city via the Nishikoen exit.