Kyushu Japan Map: 4 Quaint Ways to Explore Kyushu

Kyushu. Japan's southernmost main island. Replete with unparalleled natural beauty and rich local history, it offers jet setters a treasure hove of amazing experiences. Since Fukuoka is voted as the 7th Most Liveable City in The World in 2016 by renowned magazine, Monocle, why not fly over there and use it as a starting point to get to the other six charismatic prefectures: Kumamoto, Oita, Saga, Miyazaki, Nagasaki and Kagoshima? Chart your own travel itinerary in Kyushu with these four recommended ways to feel its awesomeness!

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Cruise its waters

Kyushu offers some pretty cool boating experiences. Come spring time, you will be well advised to visit Yanagawa City in Fukuoka. Join a boat cruise and be taken on a visually stunning journey around the moat of the ancient Yanagawa Castle. Expect to be greeted with a kaleidoscope of colors. Bright pink cherry blossoms will contrast nicely against lush green willow trees and red brick warehouses and traditional Japanese-style storehouses. This surely makes for some not-to-be-missed Instagram-worthy shoots! Also in Kyushu is Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki which boasts stupendous cliffs that loom more than 80 metres above ground. You can rent a boat and row out into the Gokase river that will enable you to get a close-up view of these cliffs. Takachiho Gorge is chock-full of intriguing legends about how the gods descended down from heaven, so enjoy your boat rowing and soak up the suspenseful air of mystique!

-English Name: Yanagawa River Cruise Shogetsu Pier

-Japanese Name: 柳川の川下り観光

-Address: 329 Okinohatamachi, Yanagawa-shi, Fukuoka-ken

-Open Hours / Closed Day: 9:00 A.M. to dusk

-Budget: 1600 yen

-Lat/Long: (33.158950, 130.394771)

-Phone number: 0944-72-6177

-English Name: Takachiho Gorge

-Japanese Name: 高千穂峡

-Address: 809-1 Mitai, Takachiho-cho Nishiusuki-gun, Miyazaki 882-1101 Japan (Takachiho-cho Tourist Association)

-Open Hours / Closed Day:  8:30 ~ 16:30 daily

-Budget:  ¥2000 for 30 minutes per boat

-Lat/Long: (32.708682, 131.307492)

-Phone number: 0982-73-1213　

Visit its islands

Kyushu has many characterful islands, many of which are worth a visit. Case in point: the World Heritage-listed Yakushima Island in Kagoshima. Said to provide inspiration folder for Studio Ghibli's wildly well-received anime, "Princess Mononoke", Yakushima literally takes your breath away with its Yakusugi (Japanese cedar trees), the oldest of which is a whooping 7,000 years old! Let your worries melt away as you stand before these majestic and gigantic trees and realize just how insignificant mankind is compared to monumental Mother Nature. On the other hand, beach buffs will gravitate towards the idea of surfing at Miyazaki prefecture's Aoshima Island, where they can enjoy surfing on the crystal blue sea!

-English Name: Yakushima Island

-Japanese Name: 屋久島

-Address: 310-1 Koseda, Yakushima-cho, Kumage-gun, Kagoshima

-Open Hours / Closed Day: 9:00 ~ 17:00, ~ 16:30 (Dec.-Feb.) (Yakusugi Land)

-Budget: 300 yen (Yakusugi Land)

-Lat/Long: (30.397227, 130.642566)

-Phone number: (0997) 49-4010

Admire its waterfalls

Treat yourself to the sight of magnificent waterfalls in Kyushu. In Saga, the Mikaeri Waterfall showcases an awe-inspiring sight of 40,000 blue, pink and purple hydrangea flowers blooming in June. No wonder it is officially recognized as one of Japan's 100 Most Beautiful Waterfalls. Not to be done is Tsujun Bridge in Yamato City, Kumamoto. Although not a natural waterfall, the sight of Tsujun bridge gushing out water forcefully is no less captivating than watching a real waterfall in action. If you delve more into its history, you will learn that Tsujun Bridge was built in 1854 to provide water to enhance the growth of agricultural crops. Composed of three stone aqueducts that transport 15,000 cubic metres of water daily, Tsujun Bridge undergoes a water discharge - hence the "waterfall" - so that these aqueducts can be maintained in exemplary condition. Interesting architectural feat, isn't it?

-English Name: Tsujun Bridge

-Japanese Name: 通潤橋 

-Address: 〒861-3661 Nagahara, Yamatocho, Kamimashiki-gun

-Open Hours / Closed Day: 13:00 from April to May and from August to November

-Budget: Free

-Lat/Long: (32.679464, 130.992255)

-Phone number: 0967-72-1158 (Yamato Town Office)

Learn about World War II

Japanese elementary school children pay a visit to Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum when they are in the fifth grade - something that we should not shy away from if we really wish to gather an in-depth understanding of post-war Japan. The comprehensive collection of exhibits and interviews with atomic bomb survivors go a long way to illustrate the horrors of war. Of particular interest is a photograph of a boy who must not have been more than twelve years old standing at attention - with his dead younger brother on his back. His composed demeanour in the midst of tragedy should stay with you for quite some time. Likewise, if you are curious to find out about the mental states of suicide pilots who flew their bomb-laden planes into American warships, you might just want to visit the Chiran Peace Museum in Kagoshima. True, these pilots' letters and personal artefacts are in Japanese, but certain sentiments and emotions transcend language barriers.

-English Name: Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

-Japanese Name: 長崎原爆資料館

-Address: 7-8 Hirano-machi, Nagasaki City

-Open Hours / Closed Day: 8:30 ~ 17:30 (Sept.-Apr.), 8:30 ~ 16:30 (May-Aug.)

-Budget: 200 yen (Optional audio guide 150 yen) 

-Lat/Long: (32.750286, 129.877667)

-Phone number: 095/844-1231

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-English Name: Chiran Peace Museum

-Japanese Name: 知覧特攻平和会館

-Address: 17881 Kori, Chiran-cho, Minamikyushu-shi, Kagoshima Prefecture, 897-0302

-Open Hours / Closed Day: 9:00 ~ 17:00

-Budget: 500 yen per adult, 300 yen per child

-Lat/Long: (31.391094, 130.466909)

-Phone number: 0993 83 2525

Of course, the marvels of Japan do not just stop at epic landscapes and poignant history. There are the onsen towns of Beppu and Kamakura, the pottery towns of Arita and Hasami, not to mention Kumamoto Castle and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine! Let us know about if your trip to Kyushu was une nuit magnifique in the comments below!