Overview

Kyushu is Japan’s third largest island, located in the southwest part of the country. It has an area of more than 35,000 square kilometres and is populated by over 13 million people. It is comprised of eight prefectures, namely: Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, Saga, and Okinawa.

Udo jingu, a Shinto shrine located on Nichinan coastline, Kyushu

Transportation

There are several airports, bus stations, and train stations all over Kyushu, so access to the region is very easy. Its primary airport is the Fukuoka Airport in Hakata.

When it comes to travelling within Kyushu, the railway network (Shinkansen and subway) is always highly reliable. Buses and trams also run in some areas, and taxis are pretty common as well.

Attractions

Fukuoka

  • Yatai – These are small food stalls that line the Nakasu Island river. Almost every night of the year they serve a variety of Japanese dishes such as ramen, tonkotsu, yakitori, and oden. They usually open at around 6 pm and welcome customers up until 2 am.

Traditional poled boat, parked at deck in Yanagawa, Fukuoka, Japan

Nagasaki

  • Nagasaki Peace Park – This is a memorial park dedicated to the atomic bombing that destroyed much of the city and left many thousands dead on 9 August 1945.
  • Shinji Chinatown – This is the oldest Chinatown in Japan and is filled with restaurants that specialise in scrumptious noodle dishes, sara udon, and champon.

Meoto Iwa (Married Couple Rocks) of Cape Nomo at dusk in Nagasaki

Kumamoto

  • Kumamoto Castle – A 400-year-old Japanese castle that has undergone a series of reconstructions through the years, this landmark is one of Japan’s best castles and is very popular during the cherry blossom season as it is home to almost a thousand cherry trees.

Kumamoto, Japan at Kumamoto Castle at night

Oita

  • Beppu – Popularly known as a hot spring town, Beppu boasts an array of bath options, including mud baths, steam baths, hot water baths, and sand baths.

Umi jigoku (Sea hell) Cyan hot spring ,Beppu

Miyazaki

  • Takachiho – Believed to be an important site in Japanese mythology, Takachiho is deemed a religious treasure that exudes unbelievable amounts of spiritual energy. It is home to the Takachiho Gorge, Gokase River, Minainotaki waterfall, and Takachiho Shrine, all of which offer gorgeous scenery.

Kagoshima

  • Yakushima Island – An island covered by a stunning cedar forest that is home to some of the oldest trees in Japan, Yakushima is a fantastic place to explore the natural beauty of the Kyushu region.

Kirishima shinto shrine, Japan, Kagoshima prefecture