Kyushu Travel Guide

Fukuoka

The biggest city in Kyushu and is considered the gateway to the country

due to it’s close proximity to the Asian mainland. This energetic and

bustling city is the center of Kyushu’s politics, economy, culture, fashion

and tourism. Fukuoka International Airport with direct flights from from

Asia, Guam and Honolulu. So when visiting Kyushu, the city is a great

starting point for exploring Kyushu.

Kitakyushu

Kitakyushu is 2nd largest city in Kyushu with 920,000 population.

Kitakyushu possesses numerous tourist attractions. Nature areas

including Mt. Sarakura where the most dynamic night view in the

World, Castle town area Kokura where Japanese traditional culture

can be experienced, Mojiko Retro facing Kanmon Strait where

beautiful Strait and also Industrial area Yahata where is industrial

area has many Industrial Heritages.

Dazaifu

Dazaifu is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Fukuoka-prefecture

to experience Japanese traditional culture. From the late 7th century to the late

12th century, Dazaifu was the western capital of Japan and controlled Kyushu.

Geographically, it served as the front line of Japan’s diplomacy and defense,

as well as it is gate way to the Asian continent. A special location worth visiting

is Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, with more than 8.5 million tourists visiting annually.

Itoshima

Itoshima is located next to Fukuoka-city, the north side is facing the Genkai

Sea and has beautiful beaches and an intricate coastline created by dynamic

wave activity There is a plain and several low mountains between the coastline

in the north and Seburu mountain range in the south creating a serene and

tranquil landscape.

Yanagawa

Yanagawa is a beautiful canal town where with fields of flat land facing the

calm Ariake Sea. The area of Yanagawa was created by reclamation of shallow

Ariake Sea which has existed since and the canal was constructed for people’s

lives and agriculture. Yanagawa  was once a Castle town of the Tachibana

domain. Features of Yanagawa are the Canal boat cruise and Eel cuisine.

Munakata & Fukutsu

Munakata Region is located in the west part of  Fukuoka-prefecture 

facing the Genkai Sea. There are many beautiful seas and religious sites

that have UNESCO World Heritage status including  the

Sacred Island of Okinoshima and other Associated Sites.

Asakura

Asakura is located in south of Fukuoka Prefecture and spreads over

the Chikugo plains of the Chikugo River basin. It is a thriving area of

agriculture and possesses natural scenery that is rich and relaxing.

It also includes the tranquil Harazuru Onsen resort on the river and the

and the historical Akizuki castle ruin.

Ukiha

The most enjoyable experience is Fruit picking through the year.

Ukiha blessed with nature where many orchards spread out at the foot of 

Mino mountain range. Yoshii, in the center of Chikugo flourished as a

post town during the Edo period, and there a lot of Sake brewery. 

Yame

The country of Green tea, Yame is a rural tranquil region of Japanese tea

cultivation and the traditional crafts manufacturing.The recommendable

experience is to have Gyokuro tea which is the highest grade of

Japanese tea cultivated in Hoshino village. 

Saga

Saga is located in the Saga Plain where is spreading from the foot of

Mt. Seburi. And southern part of Saga is facing to Ariake Bay.

The Yoshinogari ruins where rice cultivation first began in Japan

2400 years ago. And the place made a great contribution to the

Japanese Industrial Revolution as the starting place of industrialization.

Karatsu & Yobuko

Karatsu was prospered from ancient times as an important

 trading port, Yobuko famous for fresh squid cuisines

Takeo & Ureshino

Takeo is a Onsen Resort, located west of Saga–city,

and has 1200 years history

Arita

Arita is located in the north side of Saga and surrounded by mountain ranges.

It was the first place in the early 17^th century to produce porcelain in Japan

and is know as the home of Japanese porcelain. These precious pieces are

famous for their bright, elegant picture drawn onto the transparent white

porcelain. Arita porcelain was exported to Europe in the later half of 17th

century and greatly influenced European pottery.

Imari

Imari is most notable because of Imari porcelain which has a 400 years history.

The city borders Arita to the south and embraces the natural port of Imari Bay.

The porcelain was exported from the port of Imari specifically for the European

export trade and became known as Imari porcelain. Nearby Okawachiyama is

a famous porcelain village and with it’s more than 30 potteries is a

recommended place to visit.

Kashima & Tara

Kashima is southern part of Saga, facing to Ariake sea, 

Yutoku Inari Shrine is one of the famous Inari shrine in Japan

Nagasaki

Nagasaki-city became Japan’s first international city since Nagasaki port

opened in 1571 and has a unique culture that is a mix of European,

Chinese and Japanese culture. The city has many tourist places with hidden 

Japanese historical significance. It was the Gateway to foreign countries and

the first area where Christianity spread. And it played a major part in Japan’s 

industrial modernization and was the site of the Atomic bomb used in WW2.

Unzen

Known for it’s picturesque Onsen resort located on Shimabara peninsula

surrounded by Ariake Sea. It is situated in the Unzen National Park at

an altitude of 700m. The scenery of Unzen jigoku has an other worldly

sense with white steam rising from the ground over a wide area.

At any time of the year the natural scenery of Unzen is beautiful.

Shimabara

Shimabara is consist of two cities on Shimabara peninsula, Shimabara-city

west side of peninsula and Minami-Shmabara city south-west side of peninsula.

The region offers various enjoyable things such as Nature, Onsen,

Castle town of Shimabara-city, and Christian Pilgrimage sites in Minami-

Shimabara-city such as Hara Castle Ruins and Hory Mary-Kannon.

Sasebo & Huis Ten Bosch

Sasebo is located on the Kitamatsuura Peninsula facing the Genkai

Sea with  must visit attraction, is a theme park modelled

on a Dutch villagnumerous small Islands and is often called “ 99 Island”.

The 99 Islands cruise is a relaxing and reinvigorating experience.

Huis Ten Bosch, ae reproducing the rows of houses and streets even

including a recreation of Huis Ten Bosch Palace in the Netherlands.

Hirado

Hirado is the first place where Portuguese ships landed in Japan in 1549,

and after that St. Francis Xavier visited in 1550, and Japanese

Christianity started here in Hirado. In the 1580s, the Portuguese

established a trading station, followed soon by the Dutch and the British.

Hirado is located north-west side of Nagasaki and facing to Genkai Sea,

and is mainly composed of Kitamatsuura Peninsula, Hirado Island and

Ikitsuki Island, which are connected by Hirado bridge and Ikitsuki bridge.

Kumamoto

Kumamoto is the 3rd largest city in Kyushu located almost in the center

of Kyushu, with Aso region on the east side and the Ariake Sea on the

west side. There is one of the Japan’s three great castles, Kumamoto Castle.

Shimotori shopping street is one of the largest shopping arcades in Japan

where you can enjoy shopping and local cuisines.

Aso 

Aso region possesses the world’s largest Caldera created by 4 periods

of explosive volcanic activity in the ancient times. In the Aso Caldera,

there are five mountains including Naka-dake mountain which is an

active volcano where the crater can be viewed from the top. 

Daikanbo peak, on the outer edge of the Aso Caldera is a must place

to visit offering panoramic views of the magnificent scenery including the

five mountains of Aso and the serene and beautiful green plains below.

Amakusa

Amakusa is situated on an archipelago consisting of several island on the

west side of Kumamoto. It possesses a beautiful lush green landscape and

natural geological formations giving the islands the designation “national

Geopark”. Marine activities such dolphin watching, boat tours, seafood & 

local delicacies can be enjoyed. Amakusa also has an important historical

significance to Christians.

Hitoyoshi

Hitoyoshi is a castle town on the kumagawa river. Also know as

Kyushu’s “little Kyoto,” it is known for it’s onsen resort, limestone

caves, castle ruins, river boat riding, steam locomotive, limestone

cave and local distillery

Takachiho

Takachiho is located just south of the Aso region and offers dynamic

nature and a serene spiritual experience. Beautiful and breath taking

Takachiho Gorge was created by volcanic activity of the Aso area and

this spectacular deep and narrow V-shaped gorge consists columnar

joins carved out by erosion due to the water flow of the Gokase over

many years.

Hyuga

Hyuga is a bay city, facing the Hyuga nada Sea. Famous for it’s surfing

and seascapes. The spectacular scenery of exposed pillar like rock cliffs

have an artistic appearance created by weathering and the relentless 

raging waves.

Miyazaki & Nichinan

Miyazaki & Nichinan facing the Pacific Ocean is located in a subtropical

region. The landscape is beautiful with it’s combination of sunshine and

ocean views. It possesses ocean resorts, wild animals and many historical

and religious places such as castles and seaside shrines.

Kirishima

The Onsen Resort located at the foot of the Kirishima mountains.

Kirishima jingu Shrine is one of the most beautiful shrines in Kyushu

surrounded by forest. You can enjoy hiking trails with spectacular

mountain views and soak in volcanic hot springs.

Kagoshima

The southern most major city in Kyushu and from here you can see 

Sakura-jima Island and it’s active volcano from which smoke and steam

rise across Kagoshima Bay. Kagoshima prospered in the Edo period 

as a castle town. Tenmonkan is the biggest shopping arcade and here

you can dine on local cuisines, especially succulent meats and also enjoy

the vibrant night life, bars and restaurants.

Sakura-jima Island

Sakurajima Island is the symbol of Kagoshima.
The smoke and steam rises almost every day from the active volcano

Minamidake. Formerly an island, it became connected with the Osumi 

Peninsula in 1914 when lava from its summit closed the channel between

 the two. Observation points on the island can be accessed by ferry.

Ibusuki & Satsuma peninsula

Ibusuki is known for it’s hot spring Onsen Resort, and it’s famous natural

steam sand baths  located on Kinko bay. To the east the Satsuma peninsula 

offers spectacular ocean views and this peaceful rural area is know as the

“home of the sweet potato”.

Chiran

Chiran is a small town in the middle of the Satsuma Peninsula. It is called

a “small Kyoto” and has a preserved Samurai district including a collection 

of Samurai houses and gardens. Another interesting place to visit is the

Chiran Peace Museum.