Driving Kunisaki Peninsula with Kids: Family Guide (2026)

The Kunisaki peninsula in northern Oita is one of Kyushu’s most underrated family destinations.

Think ancient temples carved into mountains, pristine coastal drives, and almost zero tourist crowds.

With kids, a 1-day driving loop covers the highlights without long stretches in the car. Most stops are short, and the slow pace suits any age.

This guide covers the recommended family loop, where to stop with toddlers, and how to combine the peninsula with Beppu or Yufuin. For the wider region, see our Kunisaki with Kids family guide.

Why drive Kunisaki with kids?

Kunisaki is rural enough that public transport doesn’t reach most highlights.

The peninsula has fewer than 50,000 residents spread across 600 km² — quiet, beautiful, and full of family-doable stops if you have a car.

Most famous temples have parking right at the entrance, so car seats and strollers are easy to manage. If you’re weighing transport options, our guide to getting around Oita with kids compares trains and cars.

Loop distance: 80 km / 3 hours pure driving (without stops)
Best months: April–May (cherry + green), October–November (foliage)
Avoid: heavy snow January–February for inland temple drives
License: International Driving Permit (IDP) required for foreign tourists

Book your Oita rental car on Klook → — reserve an automatic with English GPS and a child seat before you fly in.

Recommended Kunisaki driving loop

Stops at a glance

Stop	Walk from parking	Stroller?	Kid rating
Usa Shrine	30-min forest loop	Mostly OK	★★★★
Fuki-ji	5 min	Yes	★★★
Maki-Odo	1 min	Yes	★★★
Michi-no-Eki Kunimi	0 min	Yes	★★★★★

Kunisaki peninsula loop drive

The classic route: pickup in Beppu or Oita Airport, drive the coastal road north to Usa Shrine, then lunch at a roadside station.

From there, swing through temple country (Fuki-ji, Maki-Odo) and return via the southern coast — 6–8 hours total with kids.

Hours: Open 24h
Price: Free public road; gas ~¥3,000 for full loop

Kunisaki temple drive — Fuki-ji and Maki-Odo

These are the two oldest wooden buildings in Kyushu, both at the foot of mountains and accessible only by car.

Fuki-ji has a 5-minute walk from parking; Maki-Odo has a 1-minute walk and houses a famous wooden Buddha. Both have stroller-friendly grounds.

Hours: 08:30–17:00 (temples close earlier in winter)
Price: Fuki-ji ¥300/adult, kids free; Maki-Odo ¥300/adult

Michi-no-Eki Kunimi — coastal stop with kids amenities

A roadside station on the northern coast with a kids’ play area, restrooms, a restaurant with high chairs, and a direct ocean view.

It makes a perfect lunch or mid-loop break with toddlers.

Hours: 08:30–17:30, open daily
Price: Free entry; food court ~¥1,000/person

How to plan a 1-day Kunisaki family loop

09:00: pickup in Beppu (or arrive at Oita Airport, drive 30 min north)
10:00: Usa Shrine — easy 30-min walk through forest, kids welcome
11:30: drive to Michi-no-Eki Kunimi for lunch + kids stretch
13:30: Maki-Odo wooden Buddha (15-min stop)
14:30: Fuki-ji temple (30 min)
15:30: drive back to Beppu via coastal road, arrive ~17:00

Family-friendly tips

Driving is the heart of this trip, so lock in your car early.

Compare Oita car rentals on Klook → — many include child-seat add-ons and airport pickup.

Snacks in car: rural area, fewer convenience stores; pack snacks before starting
Child seat: required by law for kids under 6; rentals ¥500–1,000/day
Parking: free at all temples and roadside stations
Gas stations: limited — fill up at Beppu before starting the loop
Cash + card: temples accept cash only for offerings; rental + roadside stations take cards
Restrooms: at every roadside station and most major temples

Pair Kunisaki driving with Oita key stops

The peninsula pairs naturally with a Beppu or Yufuin overnight stay.

Use this loop on Day 1 of a multi-day Oita trip, or combine it with an Oita Airport arrival or departure — our Oita Airport family arrival guide covers pickup logistics.

If you want to stretch this loop into a 5-day Kyushu itinerary, the Kunisaki peninsula is the natural starting point before heading west toward Harmony Land and Fukuoka.

FAQ: driving Kunisaki with kids

Do I need an International Driving Permit?

Yes. Foreign tourists must carry an IDP plus their home licence to rent and drive in Japan.

Are the temples stroller-friendly?

Fuki-ji and Maki-Odo have flat, short paths from parking. Usa Shrine is mostly stroller-OK with a few steps.

Where should we stay?

Base in Beppu or near Oita Airport. See where to stay in Beppu with kids for family rooms.

Driving the Kunisaki Peninsula with Kids: A Family Loop Through Oita’s Rural Temples (2026)