Region:Southern japan / Japan Travel Videos

Fukuoka, rugby legend's visit

If you travel by Shinkansen train from Tokyo to Kyushu Island, you will first come to Fukuoka Prefecture. Its capital Fukuoka City is a former castle town and now the biggest city on Kyushu Island. Ohori Park is located on the old castle grounds. The Kyushu National Museum has an excellent collection showing Japanese art and history. It is located nearby in Dazaifu, the former governmental center of Kyushu. The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is the national headquarter for all Tenmangu shrines. Also in the Fukuoka area is Munakata Taisha, UNESCO World Heritage and one of the oldest shrines in Japan.

Culture History Art Museum Shrine World heritage

Fukuoka in a Day

Fukuoka is the biggest city on Kyushu Island in Southern Japan. It is an important harbor and a hub for Japan travel. In the Edo Period (1603-1868), Fukuoka Castle was the largest castle in Kyushu. It was torn down, but its castle walls remain in Maizuru Park, a popular cherry blossom spot in the spring. Fukuoka is famous in Japan for its culinary culture and cuisine, its many food stalls (yatai) and Hakata Ramen - thin noodles in pork-based tonkotsu soup. Visit the Yanagibashi Rengo Ichiba (fish market) and the yatai in the Nakasu area to try Fukuokas’s best foods.

Eat Ramen Street food market History Castle Park

Visit Okinawa

Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture and is located over 600 km south of the island of Kyushu. Okinawa consists of approx. 50 islands. Some of them are developed with modern resorts, others are remote islands that boast untouched beautiful natural landscapes. Visitors can enjoy distinctive Okinawan culture in food, craft, music and architecture which originated from the Ryukyu Kingdom which ruled the islands until the late 19th century.

Okinawa Naha Island Fish market Castle

Oita, rugby legend's visit

Oita Prefecture is part of Kyushu Island in southern Japan. Onsen hot springs are found throughout Oita and the seaside city of Beppu on the Seto Inland Sea has the highest amount of onsen water in Japan. The Hells of Beppu are scalding hot onsen with different qualities and colors, a fascinating display of the force nature. Yufuin, a little inland from Beppu, is another popular onsen resort. Down the coast in Usuki, the Usuki Stone Buddhas carved into the rocks are designated National Treasures. Explore Oita’s towns, unwind in its many onsen baths and enjoy the tasty local cuisine.

Onsen Hot spring Nature Relax History

Kumamoto, rugby legend's visit

Kumamoto Prefecture is located in southern Japan, in the middle of Kyushu Island. At its center prefecture is Mount Aso, an active volcano. The Aso Unesco Global Geopark has an exceptional landscape with one of the largest calderas in the world. Explore the area cycling or go hiking on the peaks and plains here. Kumamoto also has a beautiful coast and onsen hot springs. Kumamoto City is the seat of the prefectual government. Its symbol is Kumamoto Castle, which sustained significant damage in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes and is being restored. Another historic site in the city is the landscape garden Suizenji Park.

Nature View History Culture

Kagoshima City

Kagoshima city in Kagoshima Prefecture is the southernmost major city of Kyushu Island in Japan. Sakurajima is the symbol of Kagoshima. The volcano smokes constantly and minor eruptions often take place. You can observe it from multiple places in the city such as Shiroyama Observatory and Sengan-en Garden, a Japanese style landscape garden along the coast north of downtown Kagoshima. You can also reach Sakurajima by ferry in 15 minute and experience outdoor activities like sea kayaking.

Observatory Ferry Volcano Aquarium Garden View

Nagasaki Vacation

Nagasaki played a very important role as the only port that permitted foreign trade from mid. 17th to 19th Century during the national isolation policy by the government. Many of the influences from international culture from the countries such as the Netherlands and Portugal can still be seen in the town. Nagasaki is also known as the atomic bombing after Hiroshima in World War II. You can visit memorial places in town that remind the tragedy.

Park Museum Island Street Eat History View

Best places in Saga, Japan

Saga is located in the north west of Kyushu Island, next to Fukuoka Prefecture. Yutoku Inari Shrine is one of the three most famous shrines dedicated to Inari along with Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto and Toyokawa Inari Shrine in Aichi Prefecture. Its main hall stands on tall wooden beams 18 meters above the valley floor. Ouo Shrine Torii Gate is another popular spot with mysterious atmosphere. A couple of red torii gates in the sea almost soak in the high-tide water while you can walk around the gates at the low tide.

Onsen Shrine Park Flower History View

Scenery in Miyazaki

Miyazaki Prefecture is part of Kyushu Island in southern Japan. It is known for its stunning scenery, beautiful coastline, and good surfing. Many of Miyazaki’s scenic spots are linked to Japanese history and mythology. The Mimitsu Historical District is lined with historic buildings from when this was a busy port trading with Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto. Near the dramatic Takachiho Gorge is Amano Iwato Shrine. According to legend, the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu hid in a cave here. Another place surrounded by legends is Aoshima Island. Visit at low tide to see its unique rock formations called the devil’s washboard.

Nature View History Architecture Shrine