Is Kyushu Worth Visiting? Top Reasons To Explore Japan’s Southern Island

Is Kyushu worth visiting? Let us prove to you that it is! This unique Japanese island, and one of the country’s eight regions, stole our hearts. From awe-inspiring volcanic landscapes to hot sand baths – it was a wild adventure.

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Watch steam pouring out of the active crater in Mt Aso’s caldera, row a boat through a gorge lined with volcanic columns, or get buried under hot sand with views of the sea. It’s hard to compete with Kyushu when it comes to quirky things to do. 

We were blown away by the things to discover on our trip to Kyushu. Read on to find out why it should also be at the top of your travel bucket list! 

Ultimate Guide To Kyushu

Image via Flickr by John Harper

This unique region of Japan has lots of unique experiences that we can’t wait for you to discover.

Let’s dive straight in and show you how magical Kyushu is!

Why Kyushu Is Worth Visiting

Image via Flickr by innis22mara

Kyushu is Japan’s southernmost main island. It’s characterized by active volcanoes that have shaped the landscape over thousands of years and still change the island to this day.  

The island is also important in Japanese culture and is believed to be where Japan’s Emperors are descended from as well as where the Goddess of the Sun was created. Which isn’t surprising, seeing as it’s the warmest island!

Because there are so many volcanoes on the island, it’s also riddled with hot springs. The warm thermal waters run down from the mountains and into age-old ryokans, where they are transformed into gorgeous onsens. If you’re in need of a detox, you can also level up with one of the island’s hot sand or mud baths! 

We love Kyushu because it is a mix of incredible nature, vibrant cities, and relaxing onsen towns, making it easy to have a well-balanced trip and experience some of the coolest things about Japan. 

We think Kyushu packs the best of Japan into one region, but don’t take our word for it – find out for yourself!

Notable Hotels In Kyushu

We’ve picked some of the best hotels in Kyushu. Each one is close to one of the attractions on this itinerary, so you can save time getting from A to B and spend it exploring instead! Let’s get stuck in:

Top Things To See In Kyushu

Image via Flickr by Benedict Tan

Kyushu is one of Japan’s eight regions, but it’s also its own island. It’s the southernmost of the country’s main islands, and it is packed with unique landscapes and traditions that you won’t find anywhere else in Japan.

To do it justice, we’ve written this hefty guide of all the top things to see in Kyushu. We’ve broken it down into the coolest cities and towns to see, added a section of all the outdoor adventures you should schedule in, and dedicated a whole section to the island’s two best onsen towns, because no holiday to Japan is complete without a soak in a hot spring. 

We hope this guide inspires you about Kyushu!

Nagasaki

Image via Flickr by arabellelim

Nagasaki is our favorite city in Kyushu because there is so much history and loads to do.

From one-legged torii gates that were marked by the atomic bomb and ropeways to the summit of mountain tops, to a sprawling Chinatown that will keep foodies happy for hours, Nagasaki has something for everyone.

Revisit The City’s Devastating History At The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

Image via Flickr by Cédric Vanvelthem

Nagasaki was one of the two Japanese cities that were struck by US atomic bombs during World War II. The bomb landed on the 9th of August 1945, just three days after the first bomb hit Hiroshima. 

You can find more on how Hiroshima was affected in our Top 5 Things to Do in Hiroshima, Japan post.

It devastated most of the city and led to unimaginable amounts of suffering, which survivors are still experiencing today. 

Since the atomic bomb, the city has strived to remember the horrors of what happened as a way to remind future generations of the importance of peace. The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum has exhibits across three floors, including a hall where you can read the stories of survivors, and it is worth a visit. 

One of the things that left an impression on us was seeing the pictures of the city right after the bomb, compared with pictures of Nagasaki today. The devastation was immense!

It’s not the most ‘fun’ activity, but the atomic bomb is an important part of Kyushu’s history, and it is important to remember the harder parts of the region’s story. 

Save time and the hassle of purchasing tickets on-site and grab your tickets for the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum here!

Marvel At The One-Legged Torii At Sanno Shrine

Image via Flickr by JuKaRam

The impressive one-legged torii gate at the Sanno Shrine in Nagasaki is a sight to behold.

After the atomic bomb was dropped on the city, most of the shrine was destroyed. But the torii gate remained standing, despite losing one of its pillars. 

Founded in 1638, the shrine’s name translates to ‘king of the mountain’. It survived until the atomic bomb was dropped, and as the epicenter was just eight kilometers away, the shrine was immediately engulfed. There are before and after pictures at the shrine where you can get a sense of how it looked before the A-bomb.

Another curious thing you can see at Sanno Shrine is the two ancient camphor trees. They’re thought to be somewhere between 500-600 years old. After the atomic bomb, they were so burnt and damaged that it was thought they had died, but two years later new shoots started appearing. In Nagasaki, they are considered a symbol of life and hope.

Eat Your Way Through Shinchi Chinatown

Image via Flickr by Hideki iiiiiiiiiii

Make sure you work up an appetite before you head to Nagasaki’s immense Shinchi Chinatown. This lively block of the city’s downtown is packed with food stalls and restaurants and is Japan’s oldest Chinatown.

When Japan shut itself off from the rest of the world from the 17th to the 19th century, the only people they traded with were the Netherlands and China. At its peak, there were more than 10,000 Chinese residents living in Nagasaki.

As you approach Chinatown, you’ll notice the massive red gates. Each of the four directions of the gates is protected by an animal. Our favorite was the azure dragon that protects the east – which is yours? 

Once you get into the maze of street food stalls and restaurants, it’s easy to get lost! Keep your wits about you and make sure you don’t fill up at the first place you see.

We suggest arriving hungry and then trying lots of smaller dishes. Look out for yori-yori (a sweet, twisted bread treat), sara udon (a yummy udon variation), and kakuni manju (Chinese buns with braised pork stuffing).

Take The Nagasaki Ropeway To Mount Inasa And Watch The Sunset

Image via Flickr by David McKelvey

Japanese people are famous for their love of ropeways, and you have to visit one on your trip. For this one, we recommend you squeeze the Nagasaki Ropeway into your schedule.

The best time to go is just before sunset because that way you can catch the views by day and night when the city is lit up. The views of the harbor and sprawling city below are breathtaking!

We got lucky with the weather, too. It was so clear and sunny that we could even see Mt. Unzen, the islands of Amakusa, and the nearby Goto Islands in the distance.

If you don’t want to take the ropeway, there are a few buses that go all the way up to the observation deck at the top of Mt. Inasa, or you can even walk. It takes about 50 minutes on foot. 

Spend An Afternoon At Huis Ten Bosch

Image via Flickr by フレディー Rios

Even though Huis Ten Bosch is about two hours away from Nagasaki, it’s still worth visiting. You can even stay at a nearby hotel to save you from traveling a lot in one day (check out our recommended hotels).

This Dutch theme park is a testament to the long trade deals between Japan and the Netherlands, which even continued during the Edo Period when Japan shut itself off from most of the world. 

If you’ve ever been to Amsterdam, you’ll know what we mean when we say that Dutch architecture is very distinct. The cute mills and long, narrow houses with pointed roofs are pretty endearing. Well, from the moment you step into Huis Ten Bosch, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Dutch town, they even have canals everywhere! 

They also have an area of the park called Amsterdam City where you can grab a beer and a bite to eat or pop into the Museum of Glass.

Next, head to the Fantasia City of Lights, where they have loads of funky exhibitions inside the colorful Dutch houses.

Awe at the adorable working windmills amongst flower gardens in Adventure, then stroll through the theme park until you reach the Dutch town square in Attraction Town, where you can play loads of virtual reality games and ride Japan’s first 3-storey merry-go-round. 

For the best views over the park, head to the Domtoren Observation Platform.

Remember to be in the Art Garden by sunset so you can watch all the night illuminations light up! 

Huis Ten Bosch was way better than we had hoped, and honestly took us by surprise. While it’s awesome year-round, the best time to visit is in winter when the park hosts the Kingdom of Light performance, which is absolutely magical and worth traveling for. 

Be sure to get your Huis Ten Bosch admission tickets ahead of time! They sell out quickly, so purchasing them early assures you won’t miss out!

Kumamoto

Image via Flickr by Sergio Quatraro

There isn’t as much to do in Kumamoto, but we’ve added it to our itinerary because it’s a great city to base yourself in if you want to travel around Kyushu and be based in one place. And since you’re already in the city, here are some cool things you should do before leaving.

Visit The Kumamoto Castle Museum 

Image via Flickr by William Cho

Kumamoto Castle is home to the Kumamoto Castle Museum, which has fourteen different areas you can explore, including a projection mapping area where you can see the damage that was caused to the castle when it was hit by the 2016 earthquake. 

You can also try on traditional Japanese armor (spoiler alert – it’s heavy!) and clothes from the Sengoku and Edo Periods. We enjoyed getting dressed up and role-playing; it was a laugh! 

Beyond the museum, the castle is also a great place to shop for souvenirs, which we weren’t expecting. Around the castle, you’ll find the Josaien Kumamoto Castle Shops, where stalls and small shops sell handcrafted gifts or street food. 

We got lucky and saw a samurai performance while we were there, though they are quite impromptu, so it’s a case of being in the right place at the right time. But who knows, luck could be on your side!

Arita

Image via Flickr by Erica

Arita is a small pottery town in the Saga Prefecture and is famously the birthplace of porcelain. There’re loads of Edo Period architecture all over the town too, which brings Arita’s four centuries of history to life.

The white porcelain decorated with dainty blue paintings and inscriptions is some of the finest in the world, so of course, we took some home for our family and friends. But there’s more to Arita than just porcelain, so let’s dive in and uncover all the best attractions in the city.

Check Out The Tozan Shrine 

Image via Flickr by rockchanky

The Tozan Shrine in Arita was built in 1888 and welcomes you with the iconic torii gate that towers above you as you enter the shrine. The torii gate is incredible and made of white porcelain decorated with vibrant delicate blue paintings, a true showcase of the local craftsmanship. 

We had to climb a fair few steps to reach the torii gate, but it was worth it. You can walk under the gate (did someone say photo time?) and then you’ll climb up some more steps to reach the shrine’s main hall. Keeping in line with Arita’s pottery theme, there’s a porcelain plate hanging above the shrine’s doorway. 

Another cool thing about the Tozan Shrine, which makes it pretty unique, is that you have to wander over active train tracks to reach it! But don’t worry, there’s a crossing that closes when a train is near, so there’s no risk of being run over.

Take In The Scenic Views Of The Town From The Lee Sam Pei Monument

Image via mindtrip.ai

The Lee Sam Pei Monument memorial was built as a tribute to the founder of Arita pottery, who (unsurprisingly) was called Lee Sam-pyeong. He was captured by the Koreans when they invaded Japan in 1592; this memorial is to serve his legacy. 

We’re suckers for a good view, and so we just had to climb up to the Lee Sam Pei Monument. Because it’s raised above the rest of the town, you have sweeping views over Arita’s quaint streets and the surrounding valley. 

Stop For Lunch At Arita Porcelain Lab

Image via Flickr by Beijing1211

One place in town that is taking the art of porcelain making to the next level is the Arita Porcelain Lab. They use traditional methods of porcelain making but have added modern twists and brought their own style to each of their pieces.

You can’t leave Arita without eating off a handcrafted porcelain plate or at least sipping coffee out of one of their stunning cups! 

We wouldn’t have described ourselves as porcelain fanatics, but after a trip to the Arita Ceramic Museum, it’s hard not to be impressed.

Each piece is hand-painted with such delicate brush strokes and impressive colors, like rich blues and vibrant golds, it is a truly incredible art form.

There are five rooms in the museum, each dedicated to a different period of ceramic making in Artia. It was so interesting exploring each one and seeing firsthand how the designs have changed. 

Hands down, the most impressive piece was the giant porcelain clock that comes to life with a little performance every half hour – make sure you don’t miss the timed spectacle!

Yanagawa

Image via Flickr by Miss Sunalee

Yanagawa is a quaint little city that has been nicknamed the ‘Little Venice’ of Kyushu because of its elaborate networks of canals.

Stretching over 480 kilometers, the canal system was built by hand over 400 years ago and was originally a defense system for the Yanagawa Castle. 

Spend A Day Exploring The ‘Little Venice’ Of Kyushu

Image via Flickr by Miss Sunalee

Unsurprisingly, the best way to explore Yanagawa is by boat. Jump onboard one of the traditional gondolas and relax as your driver leads the way.

Keep an ear out to hear the boatmen singing traditional fishing songs that are popular in the area; it was a great backing track to our canal adventure!

We did have to queue for about an hour to get onto one of the boats, but it was worth it in the end. The reason we waited for so long was because we were in the English-speaking boat queue, so if you don’t mind missing out on some of the commentary about the buildings you go past, then you could join the much shorter Japanese-speaking tour. 

Yanagawa felt like a sneak peek into what Kyushu was like centuries ago, and we enjoyed every moment we spent being ferried around on our gondola. The ride lasts just over an hour in total, and it’s worth doing.

Discover Kyushu’s Wilder Side – Get Out Into Nature

Image via Flickr by Carolina Garcia P.

We love being in cities and towns, but after a while, the car horns and crowds of people can start to feel suffocating. That’s why we always make sure we’ve set aside a decent chunk of time to get outdoors and immerse ourselves in nature. 

Our trip to Kyushu was no exception, so we put our hiking boots on and started exploring! We’ve already found some amazing outdoor adventures, so you don’t have to do the hours of research we did to discover them.

Hop On A Boat And Row Your Way Along The Takachiho Gorge 

Image via Flickr by simimirela

This epic gorge in the Miyazaki Prefecture takes the crown as Kyushu’s ‘adventure capital’. The breathtaking gorge looks like it was meticulously cut out of the landscape and is framed by giant rocks on either side. 

Waterfalls fall from the cliffs into the river below, making the Takachiho Gorge even more fairy-tale-like. If you want to get as close to the gorge as possible, you can row your way along the Gokase River that travels the length of the gorge.

Take your boat up to the giant volcanic rocks, which look like dragon scales once you’re up close, and dodge the cool splash of waterfalls along the way. We weren’t very good at steering our boat, so we did get pretty soaked! 

The most impressive fall is the 17-meter-high Minainotaki fall, which you can’t miss.

If you’re not so struck by the idea of paddling your way through the gorge, then you can explore from above. There is a paved path along the top of the cliffs that runs along the edge of the gorge. Warning – if you’re scared of heights, it might be a bit daunting.

At the end of the trail, you’ll come across the Takachiho Shrine, which is more than 1,200 years old and is surrounded by gorgeous cedar trees. 

Try out this awesome boat tour of Takachiho Gorge from Kumamoto and get an included lunch!

Put Your Limits To The Test In The Aso-Kuju National Park 

Image via Flickr by William Cho

This epic national park is the home of Mt. Aso as well as the Kuju Mountains. It’s our top-pick travel destination on the Kyushu Island for anyone who wants to take on some challenging hikes or go off-roading through dramatic volcanic landscapes.

Aso-Kuju National Park was established in 1934, so it’s also one of the country’s oldest parks. All the hot spring water that feeds the onsen towns of Kurokawa and Beppu comes from here. 

Mount Aso itself is an unforgettable experience. The immense active volcano straddles the Kumamoto prefecture and Oita prefecture, and travelers can get up close to the mountain’s ancient caldera, which has a circumference of more than 100 kilometers! Within the caldera, you’ll find loads of rural towns and rice paddies, as well as the main event, the active crater.

The volcano has erupted in the past, but it’s pretty safe now. Don’t be alarmed by the smoke rising from the center of the crater, which we have to admit gave us a fright as we were getting closer. 

Not sure traveling to the heart of a volcanic caldera is for you? Then check out the hiking trails in the Kuju Mountains.

It takes about six hours to reach the highest peaks, and we suggest heading to the Chojabaru Visitor Center to pick up maps and get your bearings. The trails aren’t for amateur hikers, but they’re a great challenge if you’re a more experienced hiker. 

Check Out The Naturally Steaming Sand At Surigahama Beach In Ibusuki

Image via Flickr by ibukan

Ibusuki is a small seaside city in the Kagoshima Prefecture where something really special happens. The hot spring water that travels down from the surrounding mountains to the ocean heats up the sand along the city’s shore, creating hot steam sand baths on Surigahama Beach.

As you arrive at the beach, you’ll notice the steam rising from the sea, a result of the hot and cold water coming together. This experience is one of the most unique things to do on this guide. Lay in the steamy sand and enjoy the views of the ocean and mountains in the distance while someone shovels hot sand over your body – it’s pretty epic! 

Wondering where exactly to do it? We went to the Sand Bath Hall SARAKU, and it was great. We changed into the yukata robes they gave us and then were buried in the hot sand. You stay buried for about 10 minutes, which doesn’t seem like very long, but according to the locals, it’s long enough for the heat to clear the toxins from your body. 

Once you’ve been dug back up, wash off and then bathe in their spa’s hot springs! 

Try Catching A Wave At Okuragahama Beach

Image via www.navitime.co.jp

Okuragahama Beach is one of Japan’s most popular surf spots. The waves roll in and break far from the shore, so you’ve got more chance of catching one before they crash onto the sand. 

But even if you’re not a surfer, the four kilometers of undisturbed white sand lined with green pine trees is pretty impressive, and the sunsets on Okuragahama are beautiful.

On days when the waves aren’t super big, it’s a great spot for a dip, but you’ll have to gauge whether it’s safe to get in or not on the day. 

Another cool fact about Okuragahama Beach is that the white clam shells collected here are made into playing pieces for the Japanese game Go. They aren’t made like this anywhere else in the country.

Go For A Pampering In Kyushu’s Best Hot Spring Towns

Image via Flickr by ccho

We all need a good pampering from time to time, and Japanese hot springs are the ultimate pamper. Soak your worries away in the healing waters, which have trickled down through the mountains and are heated by volcanoes.

Kyushu is blessed with two of Japan’s best hot spring towns, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

We suggest trying a few different onsen ryokans and public bathhouses while you’re there, so you get the full experience.

Unwind At The Hot Springs In Beppu

Image via Flickr by Pet_r

As we approached Beppu from the road in our little rental car, we could see all the steam rising in between the houses from the hot springs. There was so much smoke that it almost looked like the town was on fire! 

There are 8 different springs that trickle down from the surrounding mountains and feed into the town, and each one has a public bathhouse.

Because of the sheer amount of hot spring water that the town is blessed with, which is more than any other hot spring resort in the country, it’s a very special place that Japanese residents travel from far and wide to get to. 

But it’s not just the onsens that brought us here. We also opted to do a mud bath. It’s essentially like the sand bath we did at Surigahama Beach, but with mud!

You can also be buried in hot sand at Beppu, so if you can’t make it to Surigahama and you want to try it, you’ve still got a chance to. 

One of the best bathhouses is Tanayu, which is attached to the Suginoi Hotel. They have outdoor pools on their rooftop with awesome views over the town.

There’s also Takegawara, which has been going since 1879. Remember, you’ll need to cover up your tattoos if you have any (more on this in our travel tips section below)!

Catch Your Breath In The Quiet Onsen Town Of Kurokawa

Image via Flickr by David McKelvey

Nestled in the mountains in the Kumamoto Prefecture, this little hot spring town is incredibly charming. We didn’t know what to expect, and after being to Beppu we weren’t sure how impressed we’d be, but oh boy were we wrong! 

Traditional ryokans cling to the edge of the gentle river that runs through the town, and the surrounding Kuju mountain range makes it feel completely nestled away from the world. 

Tired travelers have been stopping in Kurokawa, which is near Mt. Aso, to rest and recover from their long journeys since the Edo Period. The town’s historical charm and tranquility have been threatened by modernization but the locals have worked hard to preserve its history.

To keep the tradition of onsens going, the villagers came together and came up with the ‘onsen hopping’ system. With the Nyuto Tegata, a wooden bathing pass, you could hop between the different onsen ryokans in town. It brought in more travelers and kept the town from ruin.

Before you leave, make sure you walk through the village and steam your face at one of the free face steamers dotted around town! 

We stayed at Yamabiko Ryokan and couldn’t recommend it enough. They have six hot spring baths, and the hotel is super luxurious, perfect for a romantic getaway. But don’t worry if it’s not your style, there are endless onsen ryokans to choose from in Kurokawa.

Activities We Recommend You Book In Advance

Image via Flickr by *Tim Grey

Some of these experiences are booked up in advance, particularly as Japan’s tourism appeal increases. Make sure you plan and skip the FOMO by booking these tours and activities ahead of your trip:

• Get your Huis Ten Bosch admission tickets ahead of time! It’ll save you the stress of getting them on the day and save you time queuing. They sell out quickly, especially on weekends.
• Arita can be hard to get to without a car, but why don’t you book this 9-hour chartered day trip bus with a group of friends? You can decide where you want to go, and tick off a load of more rural, hard-to-reach destinations in one day. Let your private driver do the driving while you relax and take in the landscape in between sightseeing. 
• Grab your tickets for the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum here. They’re super cheap but getting them ahead of time will save you from having to figure out where to buy them in the museum and save you from coming up against any language barriers – we know Japanese isn’t an easy language to master!
• This awesome tour of Takachiho Gorge from Kumamoto is an adventure you’ll never forget. Row your wooden boat through the gorge, admiring the volcanic rock columns and giant Minainotaki Falls along the way. The best part is you won’t have to worry about bringing any food with you either, because the tour includes a mouth-watering toban-yaki beef lunch. We loved that the tour allowed for some free time as well, which we used to explore the Takachiho Shrine. Are you staying in Fukuoka instead? Then check out this alternative that leaves from Fukuoka. We haven’t been on that tour, but it has a pretty similar itinerary to the one we went on.
• Explore Mt. Aso and the Kurokawa onsen town on this epic day tour from Fukuoka. From volcano craters to lounging in hot springs, there aren’t many tours where you can pack so much variety into a single day! We recommend booking in advance since it can get fully booked pretty quickly.

Go Deeper In Kyushu

Image via Flickr by William Cho

This is our very first Kyushu guide, so we don’t have any other region-specific guides to point you to. That doesn’t mean we don’t have any more posts that will help you plan your trip, or get you inspired to visit other regions of Japan. Here are just a few:

• Our Ultimate Guide To Cherry Blossoms In Japan is packed with juicy tips for how to predict the Sakura season in each region of Japan (spoiler alert, the only way is using a Sakura forecast map) as well as loads of insider information about the Japanese culture of hanami and the importance of cherry blossoms in Japan. We want you to get the most out of Sakura season, so we’ve put our favorite cherry blossom spots and handy tips into one place to get you inspired. 
• Want to try ordering Tonkotsu Ramen like a local on your next trip to Japan? Then check out our awesome Rosetta Stone Japanese guide, where we uncover whether the Rosetta Stone App is any good for learning Japanese. We tried over and over again learning Japanese, but we didn’t make much headway until we discovered this awesome app – try it out for yourself!  
• The Art Of Trip Planning – This handy guide isn’t region-specific, so it’s useful wherever you’re going on your next trip. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time backpacker or an old hand at the art of traveling, we promise you’ll find a new trick that will save you time, money, and stress! With this guide, you’ll be an expert traveler in no time.
• No one is ready for a trip to Kyushu until they’ve read our The Best Apps For Japan Travel guide. It’s full of great tips and tricks that will help make your travel adventure a breeze. From language apps that will help you overcome language barrier problems to awesome navigation apps that will keep you from getting lost on the region’s volcano hikes, these apps are a must. 

General Travel Tips For Kyushu

Image via Flickr by Yoshihiro Sakai

Wondering what else you need to know ahead of your holiday to Kyushu? There are so many things to consider when you’re planning a trip. It can start to feel a bit overwhelming! 

But we’ve put together this handy section so you can get your bearings without having to do hours of research. 

When is the best time to go to Kyushu?

One thing we love about Kyushu is that it’s a great travel destination year-round. Unlike some regions like Hokkaido, which are better in a particular season (read more on our Ultimate Guide To Hokkaido if you’re interested), there’s never a wrong time to visit Kyushu.

Like a lot of Japan, travelers flock in during the spring and autumn. This is peak season across the country, thanks to the wave of blossoming cherry trees that lure travelers in during spring and then the magnificent red and orange colors that drive visitors wild in autumn. 

Whilst the landscapes are at their prettiest in spring and autumn, it’s not the most budget-friendly time of year to visit. Because so many travelers come in these two seasons, hotel and flight prices tend to spike. 

If you want to save some money or you’ve already seen the Sakura season and autumn colors in Japan, then why not visit Kyushu in winter or summer?

Summer is the best time to visit the region if you’re here to hike and you want to spend most of your time outdoors. It’s also the best time to hike up the volcanic caldera of Mt Aso.

On the other hand, winter is a great season to come to Kyushu for the hot springs. There’s nothing quite as magical as submerging yourself in the gorgeously hot waters of an onsen whilst the cold winter air cools your face. It’s also the best time to eat Japan’s hearty comfort foods, like tonkotsu ramen!

What you shouldn’t miss in Kyushu:

Kyushu is such an awesome region of Japan, so it’s really hard to narrow it down to just a few ‘must-sees’ on this vibrant island. One experience we definitely recommend is visiting the volcano crater in the Mt Aso caldera, seeing the smoke rising out of the crater, and being so close to an active volcano is not an opportunity you get every day.

Our favorite city was definitely Nagasaki; while it is confronting seeing the impact of the atomic bomb, the city has really turned the event around, and the only reminders were curious landmarks like the one-legged torii gate.

You can’t go to Kyushu without spending at least a night in an onsen town. We loved Beppu, but because of the surrounding scenery, Kurokawa took the crown of best onsen town for us. 

Don’t leave the island until you’ve been to the Takachiho Gorge and set some time aside to visit the Arita, the home of porcelain. The torii gate there is the most amazing one we’ve seen yet.

Top tips for traveling in Kyushu:

• Catch the bullet train to Kyushu if you’re staying in Kyoto or Osaka – The travel time onboard the Shinkansen bullet train from Osaka or Kyoto to Fukuoka is under three hours, so it works out shorter than the one and a half hour flight once you factor in the time you’d waste checking in and waiting at the airport. 
• Use Kumamoto as your base while you’re traveling in Kyushu – Because this city is so central, it’s a great base for exploring the rest of the island. It’s really up to you, but we prefer not to switch hotels every day, so we found Kumamoto’s geographical location was a real lifesaver. If you do decide to stay mostly in Kumamoto we do recommend you hire a car to reach the more remote areas of Kyushu. 
• If you’re visiting Huis Ten Bosch, you can get discounted tickets after 3 PM – Because we were traveling without kids this was a great option for us. We still had enough time to see the theme park and soak in the Dutch vibes, but we didn’t spend a full day of our Japan itinerary at the park. If you’ve got kids, you’d likely struggle to get them to leave within a few hours, so we’d recommend spending a full day there. 
• Make sure you have a waterproof bag for your trip to the Takachiho Gorge – You’ll likely get splashed by at least one of the many falls along the Gokase River, so make sure your phone and wallet are safe in a waterproof bag. 

How to get around Kyushu:

Unlike other regions of Japan, we do recommend renting a car for your time in Kyushu if you can. Because you’ll be spending less time in cities than usual and exploring lots of rural towns and nature spots, it just makes more sense to have a car. We rented a car for our whole trip because it gave us the most flexibility, and it wasn’t much more expensive than renting one for chunks of the trip.

If you can’t drive or you don’t want to rent a car, then you can use the island’s network of train lines to get between cities. The region’s JR Lines run to most of the spots you’ll want to get to. We recommend getting a JR Pass for your trip to save you money!

For any destinations that you can reach by train, book day tours instead. We know it can get expensive to book lots of tours, but all the trips we did with guides in Kyushu were super affordable, so they shouldn’t make a dent in your bank account. 

Common travel mistakes:

• Don’t get the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyushu – There is the option of taking the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Kyushu, but since it’s a hefty 6-hour journey, we recommend flying instead. You can fly from either Haneda Airport or Narita Airport to any major city in Kyushu in under two hours. 

• Remember that you’ll need to cover up your tattoos to visit Japanese onsens – The rules on tattoos are still pretty strict in Japan. Most onsens won’t let you in if you have large, visible tattoos. But luckily for you, you won’t be the first person to come up against this problem! The Suhada Seal is a sticky, skin-colored patch that you can stick over your tattoos to cover them up. Make sure you take enough to last your full trip. It would suck to miss out on lounging in Japanese hot springs because of a tattoo. 
• Don’t try to get to Takachiho Gorge on public transport – As beautiful as it is, the Takachiho Gorge is tucked away from any major stations, so it’s pretty hard to reach with public transport. Save yourself the headache and join a tour instead! Alternatively, you could rent a car for the day and visit it by itself or as part of a bigger road trip. 
• Make sure you get a Nyuto Tegate pass for your time in Kurokawa – The ‘onsen hopping’ system isn’t anything new, but it’s a great way to save some money and visit a range of hot spring ryokans. For 1,300 yen you can visit three different hot springs, all you’ll need to do is show them your pass. Not sure where to get the Nyuto Tegata? You can pick them up at the Visitor Center in town (bring cash, there aren’t any ATMs in town). We loved how the passes are made of stamped cedar wood, a quirky and authentic touch. 

Packing Guide

This handy packing list is here to help you make sure you don’t forget anything important! Print it out and use it as a checklist ahead of your trip:

• Comfortable shoes: Kyushu is a volcanic region with loads of outdoor trails that you shouldn’t miss, so pack your comfiest hiking boots. For lots of Japan’s other regions, hiking trainers will do the job, but because of how rugged the terrain can be in Kyushu, we don’t recommend them. 
• Pack your clothes according to the season: Kyushu changes drastically with the seasons, so make sure you bring extra layers in winter and autumn. In the spring and summer, you can get away with bringing less, but we still recommend packing a sturdy jacket if you’re going to be hiking lots. 
• Bring a lightweight raincoat: Especially if you’re visiting in June or July, which is the beginning of the region’s monsoon period. In Japan, it’s known as Baiu.
• Bring hand sanitizer: It’s not unusual for there to be no soap in public and restaurant toilets in Japan. 
• Bring your best camera: You’re about to make memories you’ll want to remember for a lifetime, so make sure you capture them in high quality! You might want to consider bringing other accessories like selfie sticks and camera hood lenses too.
• Pack some Suhada Seal tattoo patches so you can cover up your tattoos at the region’s hot springs. 
• Remember to pack a travel adapter: You’ll need a two-pronged Type A for Japan, so check your plugs to see if you need to get an adapter ahead of your trip.
• Get some Japanese Yen ready before your trip. It’s always a good idea to pack some cash in the local currency before your trip, in case you need cash to pay for your transport from the airport or you find yourself in a sticky situation. 
• Check ahead of time that you can use your bank card to take out Japanese Yen whilst you’re abroad without being charged hefty fees! If not, plan and bring all the travel money you think you’ll need. In our 10-day Japan itinerary, we estimated it costs about $147 per person per day to travel in Japan.
• Check if you need a Visa ahead of your trip! Most countries don’t need a Visa for a short holiday in Japan, but make sure you check the unique requirements for your country so you don’t run into any unexpected problems. You can find out more on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.

Dive Head First Into Kyushu’s Vibrant Cities, Volcanic Landscapes, And Dreamy Onsen Towns

Kyushu is one of our favorite regions of Japan. There’s so much to do on the island that you can easily stay for a week or more. Anyone who likes being outdoors and immersing themselves in the wilder parts of a country will especially love Kyushu. 

Remember to rent a car for the most hassle-free trip, and figure out where you want to go beforehand so you can make sure you visit in the right season. 

Trek to volcano craters, soak your worries away, and dive into the devastating history of the Nagasaki atomic bomb – Kyushu is an island of contrasts that will keep you on your toes for your whole trip!

Frequently Asked Questions