All Destinations
From volcanic onsen towns to historic port cities — Kyushu's destinations each have a completely unique character. Here's where to go and why.
Featured Destinations
Fukuoka
Kyushu's Vibrant Gateway City
Fukuoka is Kyushu's largest city, blending ultramodern architecture with ancient shrines. Famous for its ramen, fresh seafood, and the UNESCO-listed Hakata culture, it's the perfect entry point to explore the island.
Nagasaki
Where East Meets West
A city shaped by centuries of foreign trade, Nagasaki's charming hillside streets, historic churches, and emotional peace memorials create an experience unlike anywhere else in Japan.
Beppu
The Hot Spring Capital of Japan
Beppu is famous for its otherworldly 'hells' — boiling, colourful hot spring pools — and an almost limitless variety of onsen experiences, from sand baths to steam baths to mud pools.
Kumamoto
Castles, Ramen & Sacred Volcanoes
Home to one of Japan's finest castle keeps and the gateway to the massive Aso caldera, Kumamoto blends samurai history with jaw-dropping natural landscapes.
Kagoshima
The Naples of the East
Overlooked by the perpetually smoking Sakurajima volcano, Kagoshima is a spirited city with excellent black pork cuisine, the gateway to subtropical Yakushima Island, and the proud Satsuma samurai legacy.
More Destinations
Yufuin
Romantic Onsen Village in the Mountains
Nestled in a misty highland basin beneath twin peaks, Yufuin is Japan's most beloved onsen resort village — think boutique ryokan, morning lake mist, artisan galleries, and unparalleled tranquillity.
Saga
Ceramics, Castles & the World's Largest Balloon Fiesta
Saga is Kyushu's quiet achiever — birthplace of Japanese porcelain (Arita and Imari ware), home to the fairytale Karatsu Castle perched above the sea, and host to the Saga International Balloon Fiesta, one of the world's largest hot-air balloon events held each November.
Oita
Stone Buddhas, Castle Towns & Hidden Highland Gems
Beyond Beppu's steaming hells and Yufuin's misty valleys, Oita Prefecture hides remarkable treasures: 59 National Treasure stone Buddha carvings at Usuki, the beautifully preserved castle town of Kitsuki, and ancient Buddhist temples scattered across the mystical Kunisaki Peninsula.
Miyazaki
Subtropical Coast, Ancient Myths & Wild Nature
Where Japan's gods are said to have descended from heaven, Miyazaki dazzles with the jungle gorge of Takachiho, Aoshima's ocean torii gate surrounded by wave-carved rocks, and the wild Nichinan coastline. It is Kyushu's sunniest and most subtropical destination.
Mount Aso
Japan's Largest Active Volcano & Infinite Caldera
Mt. Aso's outer caldera is so vast it contains an entire inhabited town of 50,000 people. Hike the smouldering Nakadake crater rim, gallop across Kusasenri's grassy plains, and end the day soaking in Kurokawa Onsen — Japan's most atmospheric hot spring village.
Kyushu by Train
Kyushu's excellent Shinkansen and limited express network connects all major destinations. The JR Kyushu Rail Pass is the most cost-effective way to travel and covers all routes below.
- Fukuoka → Kumamoto 35 min (Shinkansen)
- Fukuoka → Nagasaki 2h (Limited Express)
- Fukuoka → Yufuin 1h 45min (Yufuin no Mori)
- Fukuoka → Beppu 2h 30min (Sonic Express)
- Kumamoto → Kagoshima 45 min (Shinkansen)