Kyushu is the southernmost of Japan's 4 main islands and comprises 7 prefectures, namely Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Saga, Kagoshima, Oita, Miyazaki and Nagasaki. It may not be as well known as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, but is is regarded highly by the Japanese themselves as a sight-seeing destination. Nagasaki and Fukuoka were ranked 6th and 7th respectively in the annual "Appeal Ranking" survey of all 47 prefectures in 2015. This attests to Kyushu's irresistible charms. Visit Kyushu and be pleasantly surprised by the array of delights it can offer!
1. Natural attractions
Travellers keen to get a respite from city life will do well to spend some time in Kyushu. It has a range of diverse natural attravtions that will let you obtain a renewed appreciation of Mother Nature. Hike up Hiraodai Limestone Plateau in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka and be awed by pure white limesotones scattered all over the grassland. Or if kayaking is more your thing, rent a row boat, paddle your way through Takachiho Gorge, Miyazaki and immerse yourself amidst the cliffs and waterfalls. For cave explorers, you can get up close with limestone pillars made up of stalactites and stalagmites at Ryusendo Cave in Kumamoto. Lastly, Kyushu is home to two active volcanoes in Kumamoto and Kagoshima. Kumamoto showcases the world's largest caldera where you can see cobalt blue waters, while Kagoshima erupts often and spews ashes on Kagoshima City.
2. Tranquil Onsens
Kyushu - known s the Onsen Island - stands out from the rest of Japan for offering unique experiences. Take for instance Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto that not only impresses visitors with its rustic inns, but also rejuvenate their spirits with onsens that are located beside streams and woods. Not to be missed also is the sunamushi (sand bath) you can take in Ibusuki Onsen, Kagoshima. It is one rare onsen that allows you to be buried almost entirely in hot sand so that you can sweat off your toxins and feel cleansed. This is a natural sauna at its finest. And who can forget Beppu Onsen in Oita, in which its eight jikoku (hells) will arrest your attention with its vibrant colours? Umi Jikoku and Chinoike Jikoku have intriguing blue waters and red waters respectively.
3. Great Food
Kyushu is a haven for meat lovers, for it provides yummy delicacies that cannot be found elsewhere. Chicken lovers can agonise about whether they prefer toriten (tempura-style fried chicken) hailing from Oita to nanban (batter-fried chicken topped off with tartar sauce) that is a specialty of Miyazaki. Pork lovers, on the other hand, should try the juicy katsu-don (pork cutlet bowl) in Kagoshima. More adventurous travelers can even tuck into tender raw basashi (horsemeat) in Kumamoto! Travelers who crave for a healthy dose of vegetables need not feel left out either: Nagasaki brings you the saraudon (fried udon noodles flavoured with vegetables like cabbages and bear sprouts). Similarly, Fukuoka is famous for game-ni, which is a traditional dish that includes chicken and carrots and lotus roots simmered in a soy sauce-flavoured soup. So visit Kyushu and treat your taste buds to exciting nice flavours they haven't encountered before.
4. Lively Festivals
Kyushu has some of Japan's physically intensive festivals, which makes them really fun to watch. Observe the burly men in Fukuoka in action as they race to drag a huge heavy float for five kilometers within the shortest time possible during the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in July. Not to be outdone are the men in Nagasaki who celebrate the Kunchi Festival in October by lifting a float (with child performers playing instruments on it) and throwing it into the air rhythmically! If you would rather participate in something less adrenaline-racing, you would still be spoilt for choice. Saga organises the International Balloon Fiesta in November with 100 hot-air balloons decorating the skyline through flamboyant colours. Or how about snuggling up to your loved one in chilly October and enjoying Kyushu's largest fireworks festival in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto? Regardless of the festival you choose, you can feel the indomitable spirit of Kyushu people!
JR Kyushu Shinkansen allows you to travel from Tokyo to Fukuoka in as short as five hours. So what are you waiting for? Make Kyushu your destination during your trip and soak up all the marvels of southern Japan!
