KYUSHUThe island of Kyushu is located southwest of the main island of Japan. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Japan Sea and the East China Sea, Kyushu has had active interactions with foreign countries since ancient times. Carrying on this tradition, Kyushu welcomes visitors from other countries. The island of Kyushu consists of seven prefectures–Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima–and it’s highly recommended that visitors experience the cultural differences of these prefectures. The climate of Kyushu is generally mild, so it’s ideal for travel. For example, the average temperature of Fukuoka Prefecture is 18゚C throughout the year, which makes it a comfortable place to visit. However, there are distinct seasonal differences with the temperature of over 27゚C in August (summer) and below 6゚C in January (winter). Thus there are various ways to enjoy each season. For example, visitors can admire blossoming flowers in spring, immerse themselves in the great nature in summer, enjoy fresh food from the mountains and the ocean in the fall, and relax in the hot springs in winter.
The island of Kyushu is, for many reasons, popular among foreigners as a region that’s safe and comfortable for travel. For example, the natural water of Kyushu is considered to be among the tastiest, safest water in Japan. Tap water is completely safe to drink, and especially in Kumamoto Prefecture, most tap water is derived from the natural subsoil water. It has a great natural taste and is known to contain minerals that are good for one's health. Well-organized transportation system is another reason to make this region a travel destination. Visitors can get to any tourist spot using trains and buses. The Kyushu Shinkansen, which connects the southern and northern tips of the island, is quite convenient. The fastest train can take passengers from Hakata Station to Kagoshima Chuo Station in 1 hour and 17 minutes. Additionally, foreign travelers can benefit from the exclusive JR Kyushu Rail Pass, which allows unlimited use of any JR lines within the island of Kyushu from 14,000 yen for three days. Most rental cars are equipped with an English-language GPS that makes it easy for foreigners to travel. There are many activities we would recommend in Kyushu, but a visit to the hot springs is a must. Hot springs are scattered over different regions in Kyushu. Starting with the world-famous Yufuin (Oita Prefecture) and Beppu (Oita Prefecture), there are also Kurokawa (Kumamoto Prefecture), Aso (Kumamoto Prefecture), Obama (Nagasaki Prefecture), Unzen (Nagasaki Prefecture), and Ibusuki (Kagoshima Prefecture). A visit to the hot springs will be one of the most memorable experiences of your trip. We also recommend that you challenge Kyushu Olle, a Japanese application of the “Jeju-do Olle,” which is a new trail-walking style that began on Jeju-do Island in South Korea. You can feel the goodness of Kyushu with all your senses. The island of Kyushu is easy to travel, and visitors can enjoy regional differences with convenient access to all tourist spots. Given the variety of ways to enjoy this beautiful island, many foreigners return for more excitement. |
1. Nagasaki
Nagasaki Prefecture is located at the northwestern part of Kyushu, which is at the far west end of Japan. The prefecture is located near the Korean Peninsula and China. The location is 860 km away from Shanghai, China and only 53 km away from Pusan, Korea. Nagasaki has been always Japan’s gateway to China and Southeast Asian countries.
Because Nagasaki Prefecture opened its doors to overseas countries, several historical and cultural assets remain in the prefecture. These assets, found in several places in town are found by Japanese and foreign visitors to be interesting. Influenced by European and Chinese culture, the exotic appearance of the streets creates its own unique atmosphere.
Furthermore, Nagasaki has a unique food culture steeped in history. Many islands such as Kujukushima and Goto are blessed with natural beauty. It is said that tourists are amazed by the seascapes in these areas. Ten natural parks including national parks are spread across the prefecture.
History
Starting in 607AD, the Japanese envoys to China (Kenzuishi to the Sui Dynasty and Kentoshi to the Tang Dynasty) used a sea route along Iki, Tsushima and Gotoh Islands off the coast of Nagasaki and finally through mainland China. Nagasaki, because of its proximity to China and the Korean Peninsula, had always played the role of Japan’s front door for diplomacy and foreign trade.
In 1550, the first foreign ship to reach Nagasaki was a Portuguese ship that sailed into Hirado harbor in the northern part of Prefecture. The Portuguese then started to preach Christianity in the Nagasaki area and other areas of Japan.
In 1571, the Japanese government opened a port in Nagasaki for trading with Portuguese ships. After that, many western goods were introduced into Nagasaki.
Traders from the Netherlands and China were also doing business in Nagasaki in those days. The Bakufu (the Japanese government in those days), however in its closed door policy known as sakoku, closed all Japanese seaports to overseas ships. Nagasaki was designated as the only port where trade with foreign countries was permitted. The closed door policy continued until its abolition more than 200 years later.
Traces of foreign culture, introduced in those days, remain in many places in the prefecture.
Because Nagasaki Prefecture opened its doors to overseas countries, several historical and cultural assets remain in the prefecture. These assets, found in several places in town are found by Japanese and foreign visitors to be interesting. Influenced by European and Chinese culture, the exotic appearance of the streets creates its own unique atmosphere.
Furthermore, Nagasaki has a unique food culture steeped in history. Many islands such as Kujukushima and Goto are blessed with natural beauty. It is said that tourists are amazed by the seascapes in these areas. Ten natural parks including national parks are spread across the prefecture.
History
Starting in 607AD, the Japanese envoys to China (Kenzuishi to the Sui Dynasty and Kentoshi to the Tang Dynasty) used a sea route along Iki, Tsushima and Gotoh Islands off the coast of Nagasaki and finally through mainland China. Nagasaki, because of its proximity to China and the Korean Peninsula, had always played the role of Japan’s front door for diplomacy and foreign trade.
In 1550, the first foreign ship to reach Nagasaki was a Portuguese ship that sailed into Hirado harbor in the northern part of Prefecture. The Portuguese then started to preach Christianity in the Nagasaki area and other areas of Japan.
In 1571, the Japanese government opened a port in Nagasaki for trading with Portuguese ships. After that, many western goods were introduced into Nagasaki.
Traders from the Netherlands and China were also doing business in Nagasaki in those days. The Bakufu (the Japanese government in those days), however in its closed door policy known as sakoku, closed all Japanese seaports to overseas ships. Nagasaki was designated as the only port where trade with foreign countries was permitted. The closed door policy continued until its abolition more than 200 years later.
Traces of foreign culture, introduced in those days, remain in many places in the prefecture.
2. Fukuoka
Fukuoka is the biggest city in Kyūshū, and a rising star in Japanese commerce and tourism. Once upon a time it was two separate towns – the lordly Fukuoka castle town to the west of the river Naka-gawa, and to the east, the common folks’ Hakata. When the two merged in 1889, the label Fukuoka was applied to both towns, but subsequent development has mainly been in Hakata and many residents still refer to the town that way. The airport is known as Fukuoka, the train station as Hakata.
Fukuoka has transformed itself over the last decade into one of Japan’s most cosmopolitan and internationalised cities. Seoul and Shanghai are among its nearest neighbours. Fukuoka’s most recent international aspirations include a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics – going up against Tokyo among others. Its attractions are contemporary rather than traditional, but they are still very much worth seeing, modern architecture in particular. Fukuoka is also renowned as a culinary centre and its vibrant nightlife is centred on the Nakasu, Daimyo and Tenjin districts. Nationally the city is known for its ‘Hakata bijin’ (beautiful women), its feisty and much-loved baseball team the Daiei Hawks, and, most of all, Hakata rāmen (Chinese-style egg noodles in broth).
Fukuoka Prefecture is rich in nature; the Prefecture is not only surrounded on three sides by the sea, but is also located close to beautiful mountains. The Prefecture is a perfect place for sightseeing, hiking and water sports. City and industrial tours are one of Fukuoka's finest attractions. Fukuoka prefecture offers a wide variety of activities including shopping, eating, golf and hot springs.
Fukuoka has transformed itself over the last decade into one of Japan’s most cosmopolitan and internationalised cities. Seoul and Shanghai are among its nearest neighbours. Fukuoka’s most recent international aspirations include a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics – going up against Tokyo among others. Its attractions are contemporary rather than traditional, but they are still very much worth seeing, modern architecture in particular. Fukuoka is also renowned as a culinary centre and its vibrant nightlife is centred on the Nakasu, Daimyo and Tenjin districts. Nationally the city is known for its ‘Hakata bijin’ (beautiful women), its feisty and much-loved baseball team the Daiei Hawks, and, most of all, Hakata rāmen (Chinese-style egg noodles in broth).
Fukuoka Prefecture is rich in nature; the Prefecture is not only surrounded on three sides by the sea, but is also located close to beautiful mountains. The Prefecture is a perfect place for sightseeing, hiking and water sports. City and industrial tours are one of Fukuoka's finest attractions. Fukuoka prefecture offers a wide variety of activities including shopping, eating, golf and hot springs.
3. Saga
Saga is located in the northwestern part of Kyushu. The shoreline of the Higashi-Matsu-ura-hanto Peninsula facing the Sea of Genkai is a saw-toothed coast with many outlying islets sitting in the offing. In the prefecture are many nature-rich places to visit, such as Niji-no-matsubara (Rainbow Pine Grove) with a Japanese black pine forest arcing five kilometers from east to west along Karatsu Bay. Nanatsu-gama, known for a row of sea-eroded caverns created by the raging waves of the Sea of Genkai, is another place worth visiting.
Because of its location facing the Korean Peninsula with the Sea of Japan in between, Saga was an important point of trade with the continent and has been influenced by Chinese and Korean culture since long ago. Even now, you can witness such influences at places like the Tashiro-Ota-kofun, the mound in Tosu City known for an ancient color picture-decorated grave. The site of the Yoshinogari Remains, featuring a reconstructed complex of a 12-meter tall watchtower and an ancient colony, is said to be where Yamatai-koku, a primitive polity of Japan mentioned in an ancient Chinese history book "Gishi-wajin-den," stood, and has attracted more than 16 million visitors since its discovery in 1989.
Boasting much pottery, Saga has been known as the home of ceramics, like Arita-yaki, which has become chinaware enameled with color pictures and Imari-yaki and Karatsu-yaki, which have long loved by tea ceremony masters, since Korean-descended potters from the Li Dynasty opened the first kilns there.
Because of its location facing the Korean Peninsula with the Sea of Japan in between, Saga was an important point of trade with the continent and has been influenced by Chinese and Korean culture since long ago. Even now, you can witness such influences at places like the Tashiro-Ota-kofun, the mound in Tosu City known for an ancient color picture-decorated grave. The site of the Yoshinogari Remains, featuring a reconstructed complex of a 12-meter tall watchtower and an ancient colony, is said to be where Yamatai-koku, a primitive polity of Japan mentioned in an ancient Chinese history book "Gishi-wajin-den," stood, and has attracted more than 16 million visitors since its discovery in 1989.
Boasting much pottery, Saga has been known as the home of ceramics, like Arita-yaki, which has become chinaware enameled with color pictures and Imari-yaki and Karatsu-yaki, which have long loved by tea ceremony masters, since Korean-descended potters from the Li Dynasty opened the first kilns there.