region of japan

Kyushu九州

Hot springs, volcanoes and a warm, food-loving south.

Kyushu is Japan's southwestern main island, warm, volcanic and relaxed. Fukuoka is an easygoing food city with open-air yatai stalls. Nagasaki has a layered history of trade, Christianity and the 1945 bombing. Inland, Aso's huge caldera and Beppu's steaming hot springs show the island's volcanic side. Far south, Yakushima's ancient cedar forest feels like another world. Trains and buses link most places, but a car helps in rural areas.

Places to go

FukuokaAn easy, friendly food city by the sea.NagasakiHarbor city of trade, faith and peace.Beppu local favoriteSteam rising from a whole town of hot springs.Aso local favoriteA giant caldera of grassland and volcanic peaks.Yakushima local favoriteA rainy, mossy island of ancient cedars.

Through the year

springFukuoka's cherry trees usually open around March 22 and reach full bloom around March 31.
summerThe rainy season usually runs through June into July, then it turns hot and typhoons are possible.
autumnHighlands like Aso color first, and Fukuoka's maples typically peak around December 1.
winterThe cities stay mild, with Fukuoka averaging about 7°C in January, which makes it a good onsen season.

Don’t miss

  • FukuokaYatai food stalls, ramen and an easy airport.
  • NagasakiHarbor views, peace sites and trading-port history.
  • BeppuSteaming hells, sand baths and public onsen.
  • AsoA vast caldera with grassland and an active crater.
  • YakushimaMoss forests and thousand-year-old cedars.

What to eat

  • Hakata tonkotsu ramenRich pork-bone broth with thin noodles.
  • MotsunabeOffal hot pot with cabbage and garlic chives.
  • MentaikoSpicy cod roe, Fukuoka's favorite souvenir.
  • ChamponNagasaki's noodle soup loaded with seafood and vegetables.
  • Jigoku-mushiFood steamed over Beppu's hot-spring vents.

Getting there

Tokyo → Fukuoka: about 1h35 by air, or about 5h by shinkansen. Osaka → Hakata: about 2h30 by shinkansen.

Good for: Onsen lovers, Food lovers, Nature and hiking fans

psst — Fukuoka Airport is only 5 minutes from Hakata Station by subway, which makes it an easy entry or exit point.