One Week in Kyushu (Japan Travel Guide)

Off and away from the main tourist path at the southern end of Japan, with stunning landscapes, cultural experiences and delicious food, here you will find the beautiful island and region of Kyushu.

In this guide I will be sharing information on how to gain the best experiences from the area, providing options on which cities to visit, and how to get around.

Why Kyushu Region

If you're looking to escape the cities and explore more of the countryside within Japan, then look no further than Kyushu. Down here the landscapes are more dominated by nature compared to the city skylines and busy downtown areas further north. Mountain ranges, beaches, nature reserves galore, the great outdoors plays a huge role in shaping the region. A main factor you’ll notice here is that the pace is much slower than elsewhere, which if you’ve experienced the main areas of Japan before, it’s a welcome change of motion, and allows a more relaxed lifestyle.

Each city has a variety of locations well worth visiting, and the further south you venture, the more you are straying off the tourist path. Therefore, once you get down to Kagoshima and Miyazaki for example, at times you’ll be barely see any other tourists, and some of the locals are genuinely surprised to see a tourist this far out the way down here. From the delightful city of Fukuoka, to the surfing paradise of Miyazaki, Kyushu is a underrated area of Japan which flies under the radar in comparison.

When to Visit

Compared to further north, Kyushu has a more subtropical climate, and therefore contains a warmer and increasingly humid degree of temperature. Due to this, the region allows for a pleasant visit all year round. Unless you like the heat and are fine with humidity, I’d suggest avoiding the hot and sweaty summer months. For the most comfortable visit, coming to Kyushu in Spring (March to May) or Autumn (September to November) will suit best. I stayed and travelled within Kyushu for roughly a month in September, and the weather was still hot exiting the summer months, but definitely still pleasurable.

How Long to Stay

I’d recommend a stay of at least a week in the region, that way you’ll be able to see and experience a few of the wonderful locations in the region at minimum. With that being said, if you just want to visit Fukuoka and Nagasaki for example, cities such as Nagasaki can easily be a day trip from Fukuoka with the journey taking roughly 2 hours each way. How much you want to see and do here will determine the length of your stay.

One thing to note is there are less travel and transport options in Kyushu compared to elsewhere, therefore if you are wanting to visit areas more out the way and further south, travel days would need to be taken into account too.

Getting Here & Around

When visiting Kyushu, your first port of call will more than likely be Fukuoka, which is essentially the gateway to the region. Fukuoka can easily reached from as far away Tokyo in as little as 5 hours through the use of the Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen lines. Hakata Station in central Fukuoka is the final stop on the route, and once here the city offers an effective subway system to get you where you need to be in the city.

Fukuoka Airport is also conveniently located centrally inside the city, which is just one of the many positives about Fukuoka. Domestic Flights are available to Fukuoka within Japan, and the airport also runs international flights to and from various places in Asia as well.

Once here and ready to explore further afield, your main mode of transport from city-to-city will be by train. Depending on how many places you’re planning on visiting and how long you are going to stay in Kyushu, a regional JR Pass is worth looking into purchasing. The pass costs just under £130 for a week of unlimited travel in the region on all JR Lines, which if you take into account going from Nagasaki to Kagoshima on the Shinkansen for example one way costs roughly £90 alone, it’s well worth the investment.

A lot of the cities in Kyushu are old fashioned and the main mode of transport within them is by tram or bus, with Fukuoka being the exception of having the added benefit of the subway.

Photography/Camera Gear

If you’re a fan of still life and landscape photography, then this is the kind of place for you. As mentioned earlier, the slower pace and relaxed lifestyle down here in Kyushu makes for a welcome change, and it will reflect that in your photography too. You’ll have more time to pick out a picture compared to the busy nature of capturing street photography in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo for example, therefore allowing for a more sedate shooting style.

As for the type of camera gear and lenses that will work best for a trip to the region, considering the open landscapes and naturalistic feel to Kyushu, something as simple as a trusty 24-70mm or higher telephoto lens will cover all bases and do the trick just fine.

Fukuoka

We’ll start off with Kyushu’s largest and arguably most important city, Fukuoka. For me, if I was going to live anywhere in Japan, Fukuoka would be at the top of my list. This is because it has everything, the perfect balance of city and open landscapes within the area to allow yourself to escape. I’ve always been intrigued by the city, and now after finally visiting on my third trip to Japan, I’d honestly put it up there as one of or even my favourite city in Japan. Furthermore, the location is fantastic, you’re on the train lines to travel anywhere in Kyushu with ease, and more importantly straight up and out towards Hiroshima and beyond through the heart of the rest of Japan. Add the fact that it has an international and domestic airport central in the city, Fukuoka is not only amazing, it also acts as the ideal base.

The city is a perfect blend of the old and the new, and even though it does have busy areas in the city, you’ll never find yourself getting drowned out by a crowd.

In central Fukuoka, Hakata is an area of the city which highlights its rich history and cultural past. Starting from Hakata Station which is the cities main train station, work your way out from there and get lost winding through and down the cities quiet but flavoursome paths. Around here you will find numerous temples and historic landmarks to visit and explore, each one with its own style of architecture and varied past. Within Hakata you’ll also notice many of the buildings and housing are those of traditional Japanese style, therefore providing a glimpse of Japan from days gone by.

Wondering the streets of Fukuoka is a blast, they are full of character and in a lot of places, very quiet. Each path you take and the route you decide takes you to something new. The city is just off the main tourist path along from Hiroshima, meaning fewer tourists than elsewhere, however given how underrated and unique the city is, I wouldn’t be surprised if Fukuoka grows in popularity in the coming years down the line.

To experience the modern side of Fukuoka and where the majority of the shopping areas and restaurants are located, head to Tenjin for a spot of leisure, eating and drinking to your hearts content.

Fukuoka also boasts several areas where you can relax and unwind within nature. The first place on the list is Odori Park, and it’s where I also stayed whilst in the city. The park is easy to access and central within the city, moreover the large lake within the park itself makes for a peaceful and beautiful stroll, especially around Sunset.

The city on its north shore also has the added benefit of a beach, a rarity for a city of its size to have one right on its doorstep. Another location worth visiting just an hour away along the coast from Fukuoka in Itoshima is the Samurai Futamigaura Torii Shrine, pictured at the top of this blog. Standing out with its glistening white colour against the sunshine and the crashing waves, it creates a stunning view and it is well worth the visit.

If you’re a fan of sports and in particular Baseball, check the schedule of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, and if they are in town and playing at home whilst you’re there, watching a game at the stunningly beautiful Mizuho PayPay Dome is a must.

Nagasaki

Unfortunately often associated with the tragic events that occurred towards the end of World War II, Nagasaki is a historical port city which is teeming with culture and flavour. Surrounded by hills and mountain ranges, here is where you’ll get your first taste of the nature and scenic landscapes Kyushu provides.

In order to learn more about the history behind Nagasaki, start off your time in the city at the Atomic Bomb Museum and Nagasaki Peace Park. Located in the north of the city, the museum shares information and scenes of the horrific aftermath of the dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki towards the end of World War II. Similar to its sister museum in Hiroshima, it can be an uneasy viewing, and some of the images and facts shown are extremely disturbing. However, in order to prevent such tragedies from happening again, learning and reflecting on such lessons from history is of importance.

Both the Museum and adjacent Nagasaki Peace Park allows the notice of paying respect to those who perished.

Nagasaki is very much a historic style of city, you won’t come across many skylines or skyscrapers here, and the style and nature of the area reflects that. Here instead you will find a bustling town full of vibrant colours and international culture, with the architecture and woodwork of many buildings and attractions being that of old.

To further highlight the cities historical past, make sure to catch a ride on a tram. A throwback to years gone by, the iconic structure and detail of these famous trams is definitely something to be admired. There are several different routes you can take, each one taking you across from one side of Nagasaki to the other.

The city is one that is also full of diversity and cultural flair, highlighted by the symbolisation of its very own Chinatown. As one of Japans largest and oldest Chinatowns, here you’ll find a fabulous selection of cultural experiences to indulge in and explore. A mixture of shops and restaurants straddle each side of the lanes within the area, marked at either end by huge red gates. If you’re lucky, on the opposing forecourt just outside, you may catch sight of a show which includes the Dragon.

Kagoshima

Once you head right down south and make your way to Kagoshima, this is where the real landscape and naturistic vibes of Kyushu will start to kick in. Dominated and overlooked by the dauntingly beautiful active Volcano of Sakurajima, the city has a much more open and spread out feel compared to other cities in the region.

Kagoshima is a seaside city and one which offers a comprehensive breeze to accompany the tropical style weather down this end of the country, which is handy because on a hot and humid day, things can get pretty sweaty.

The area provides a host of hiking and exploration opportunities for those who love the great outdoors, and are a fan of adventure. Whilst in the city and in order to gain the incredible view pictured above, a short hike up to Shiroyama Park Observation Deck is a must see experience when in Kagoshima. The view looking across the city towards the Volcano itself is nothing short of incredible, from here the pure size and scale is stunning. From the city shores it’s also possible to ferry across to the island the Volcano sits on, spending the day over there at your leisure. To gain access to further hiking trails and walking routes in the area, the local trains can get you from A-to-B.

Once again, Kagoshima is that of a city which relies on the use of Trams and Buses as its main use of public transport, taking locals and tourists alike from the city centre train station down to the waterfronts. When down the southern end of Kagoshima near the waterfront, be sure to check out a number of the local markets and seafood cuisines, as they provide a real taste and insight into the areas cultural past.

In a place like Kagoshima, it’s easy to be able to relax and watch the world go by. There are lots of cosy and quirky streets and pockets of the city just waiting to be discovered, this area is such a joy to explore. Tucked right down in the far corner of the country, you will honestly rarely see another tourist, and that’s when you know you’re well off the tourist path in Japan!

Miyazaki

To finish off your adventure within Kyushu, why not head across to the surfers paradise of Miyazaki. Just a few hours train ride away from Kagoshima, Miyazaki is an area which is mostly known for its outdoor nature and beach heaven vibes.

The city and prefecture as a whole has one of the warmest climates within Japan, and therefore also hosts a large number of resorts and beautiful beaches. If you are thinking about spending a period of time in Miyazaki, then I would suggest staying in Miyazaki City itself, using it as a base to for day trips around the prefecture with ease through the use of local trains.

The city itself has various attractions such as the Science Centre and the Prefectural Museums of Art and also of Nature and History, providing you with details and insights into the areas history and past. Miyazaki city is walkable and easy to get around, littered with a tasty selection of independent restaurants and cafes for your pleasure. Once more the shopping streets and markets here are also well worth exploring and taking the time to mooch around.

As lovely and quaint as the city is, where Miyazaki really shines is on its coast. Using the local train to reach, one of my favourite places in the area is Aoshima. Complete with its own little island, Aoshima is a popular area for surfers and beach goers hoping to catch the sunshine, and the waves. Start off by making your way from the station to the shore, working your way down and round to Aoshima Island. My suggestion would be to do a loop of the island, rounding it off with a visit to the Aoshima Shrine and the large red torii gate further along the path.

Once back on the mainland after walking across the bridge, there is a selection of stores and restaurants to wet your appetite for the day. From here, make your way along the sandy beach, watching an abundance of surfers ride the waves, or maybe even join in. Depending on the weather and time of day, you can then head back to Miyazaki boarding at Kodomonkuni Station.

Overall, Kyushu is a region of Japan which is vastly underrated and just waiting to be explored. Sure, I wouldn’t say it has as much to do and see as in other parts of the country, but the flip side of it is the steady and relaxing change of pace that is most welcoming. Therefore if you’ve already experienced the main areas in Japan, or just want to visit new places that have been unexplored, then spending a period of time in Kyushu is well worth the time to do. Sometimes straying away from the tourist path is a blessing.

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