If you travel in Kyushu, please enjoy the rich nature. In Kyushu there are many sightseeing spots where you can enjoy magnificent scenery, including Mt. Aso and Sakurajima. There are many active volcanoes in Kyushu, so there are also Onsen (Hot Springs) here and there. Please refresh your mind and body with Beppu, Yufuin, Kurokawa Onsen and other Onsen Resorts representing Japan. The largest city in Kyushu is Fukuoka. Fukuoka ramen is the best. On this page, I will introduce the outline of Kyushu.
Table of Contents
Outline of Kyushu
Kumamoto Castle with cherry blossoms in spring. Kumamoto, Japan. Kumamoto Castle is currently under repair = Shutterstock
Map of Kyushu = shutterstock
Points
Kyushu is located in the southwestern part of Japan. It is one of the four major islands of Japan together with Hokkaido, Honshu and Shikoku.
Magnificent mountain ranges
In the center of Kyushu there are gently sloping mountains. Though their elevation is less than 2,000 meters, they are very majestic. In the center is Mt. Aso. Mt. Aso has a caldera extending 18 kilometers east-west and 25 kilometers north and south. It is one of the world’s largest calderas. It is the most popular sightseeing course to enjoy the scenery of these mountains by bus or train.
Onsen Resort
If you travel in Kyushu, please try experiencing Japanese Onsen by all means. The biggest Onsen Resort is located in Beppu, Oita Prefecture. Beppu is a city with so many hotels and Ryokan. Meanwhile, Yufuin in Oita Prefecture and Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto Prefecture are in rich nature. Kagoshima prefecture has Ibusuki Onsen on the seaside.
Fukuoka City
Fukuoka city in the northern part of Kyushu is a huge city with a population of about 1.6 million people. Many stalls are opened in the center of Fukuoka every evening. Please try eating “Tonkotsu Ramen” famous for Fukuoka on this stall. This is also a very popular sightseeing course.
Access
Airports
Kyushu is divided by the middle mountains. Since there are airports in each prefecture, you can fly from Tokyo or Osaka to Kyushu by airplane.
Kyushu Shinkansen
In the western part of Kyushu, the Kyushu Shinkansen runs north and south from Hakata station in Fukuoka prefecture to Kagoshima-Chuo station in Kagoshima prefecture. By using this Shinkansen, you can move smoothly in Kyushu. The Kyushu Shinkansen is also connected with Sanyo Shinkansen (Hakata Station – Shin Osaka Station) and Tokaido Shinkansen (Shin Osaka Station – Tokyo Station). So you can easily move from Osaka or Hiroshima to Kyushu.
There are several passes available for efficient travel in Kyushu. >>Click here for details.
Welcome to Kyushu!
Please visit each area of the Kyushu region. Where would you like to go?
Fukuoka Pefecture
People eating Yatai mobile food stall at night in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan = Shutterstock
There are many delicious foods in Fukuoka. Because the sea is near, the fish is fresh. That’s why Sushi in Fukuoka is the best. Ramen and mentaiko (spicy cod roe) are also specialties. There is also a big shrine named Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Dazaifu City in the southeast of Fukuoka city.
Saga Prefectue
Ancient ruins in Yoshinogari Historical Park, Kanzaki, Saga Prefecture, Japan = Shutterstock
There is “Yoshinogari Ruins” which is the largest ruin of Japan in Saga Prefecture. There are several traces of villages during the Yayoi period of Japanese history (3 c B.C. to 3 c A. D.) . These ruins are being developed as Yoshinogari Historic Park. Various ancient houses and fortresses are restored in thid vast park, so you can enjoy ancient Japan.
Nagasaki Prefecture
View of Nagasaki Peace Monument at Nagasaki Peace Park. Peace statue created by sculptor Seibou Kitamura of Nagasaki Prefecture = Shutterstock
There are many sightseeing spots in Nagasaki prefecture. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is located in Nagasaki City where the prefectural office is located, which hands down the experience that the atomic bomb was dropped on August 11, 1945. Since Nagasaki City has many slopes, you can enjoy a wonderful night view from the hill at night.
Kumamoto Prefecture
Aso volcano mountain and farmer village in Kumamoto, Japan = Shutterstock
Kumamoto is often referred to as “country of fire.” Because in Kumamoto prefecture, there is Mt. Aso that still continues volcanic activity. It is a popular course in Kumamoto prefecture to see this volcano. Kumamoto castle in Kumamoto city is now restoring because part of it was broken in the 2016 big earthquake.
Oita Prefecture
Beautiful scenery of Beppu cityscape with Steam drifted from public baths and ryokan onsen. Beppu is one of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan, Oita, Kyushu, Japan = Shutterstock
The above picture is the view of Beppu City, Oita Prefecture. This town is not burning with a fire. Because hot spring water is very large, you can see such a scene with steam. Near Beppu City there is Yufuin which is a spa resort with abundant nature. This town is also very popular with foreign tourists.
Miyazaki Prefecture
Takachiho gorge and waterfall in Miyazaki, Kyushu, Japan = Shutterstock
Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki Prefecture is one of the top tourist attractions in Kyushu. A cliff with a height of 80-100 meters continues for 7 kilometers. You can also play boats in this valley.
Kagoshima Prfecture
Kagoshima, Japan with Sakurajima Volcano = Shutterstock
Kagoshima prefecture is located in the southernmost part of Kyushu. In this prefecture there is a volcano called Sakurajima as seen in the picture above. Sakurajima is located off the coast of Kagoshima-shi. You can also go to Sakurajima by boat.
Thank you for reading to the end.
For a good trip, please check Kyushu’s tour menu, discount passes, etc. from here.
Now, let’s plan to make your vacation in Japan the best experience ever!
