Kyushu – Where to Go and What to See

Kyushu (九州) is one of Japan’s eight regions and one of the country’s four main islands, the southernmost of the archipelago, excluding Okinawa. Due to its strategic location facing the East China Sea, Kyushu has served for centuries as the gateway to Japan, the first landing point for travelers, merchants, and cultural influences from continental Asia, particularly from China and Korea. Until the invention of the airplane, the sea was the only means of reaching the archipelago, making Kyushu a crossroads for cultural and commercial exchanges. Beyond its historical significance, Kyushu is known today for its mild climate and spectacular landscapes: active volcanoes like Sakurajima and Mount Aso, some of Japan’s most famous hot springs, such as those in Beppu, and vibrant cities like Fukuoka and Nagasaki. The region is also renowned for its rich culinary tradition, ranging from the globally recognized Hakata-style ramen to a variety of seafood dishes. Kyushu is a fascinating destination for those looking to explore a more authentic side of Japan, away from the crowded tourist spots of the main island of Honshu.

Our guides to Must-See Places in the Kyushu Region

in alphabetical order

Beppu The hot spring city with the highest output of thermal water in Japan, famous for the "Hells of Beppu" and unique onsen

Fukuoka The largest city in Kyushu, known for its vibrant culinary scene

Ibusuki A small town in the far south of Kyushu, famous for its hot sand baths

Kagoshima One of Japan’s southernmost cities, renowned for the majestic Sakurajima volcano and its rich samurai culture

Kumamoto A historic city in Kyushu, home to the majestic Kumamoto Castle and a vibrant cultural tradition

Mount Aso An active volcano with one of the world’s largest calderas, a paradise for hikers and nature lovers

Sakurajima An active volcano and the symbol of Kagoshima, with spectacular eruptions visible from the island of the same name

Quick Answers About Traveling in Kyushu

What is the best time to visit Kyushu?

Kyushu has a mild climate year-round, but the best times to visit are, like most of Japan, spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November). In spring, you can admire the cherry blossoms, while in autumn, the landscapes are painted with spectacular colors. Winter is ideal for enjoying the hot springs (onsen), while summer, though hot and humid, is perfect for the beaches in the south. It’s best to avoid traveling to Kyushu between mid-June and early July if you want to avoid frequent rain. Check the weather forecast if visiting Kyushu between August and September, as typhoons can sometimes cause flight and train cancellations. A light raincoat is recommended, even in summer.

When does it rain the most in Kyushu?

The rainy season (tsuyu, 梅雨) lasts from early June to mid-July. During this period, Kyushu receives heavy rainfall, with frequent humid and rainy days. Some areas, such as Kagoshima and Miyazaki Prefecture, can receive over 400 mm of rain in just one month.

When is typhoon season in Kyushu?

Typhoon season generally lasts from July to October, peaking between August and September. As the southernmost main island of Japan (excluding Okinawa), Kyushu is often one of the first areas in the country to be affected by typhoons from the Pacific, and it is the region where the most severe damage occurs. The highest-risk areas are Kagoshima and Miyazaki Prefectures and the southern islands, while northern areas like Fukuoka are generally less affected.

How to get to and around Kyushu?

Kyushu is accessible from the rest of Japan via the **shinkansen** (high-speed train), which connects Kagoshima and Fukuoka with Osaka and Tokyo. However, the distances are significant, and travel times are long. If traveling from Tokyo, it is recommended to take a flight instead. The region has many airports near major tourist destinations. Once in Kyushu, trains and buses connect the tourist areas, but frequencies can be low, and finding information is not always straightforward. For a trip that includes rural areas outside the big cities, renting a car is highly recommended.

What are the best hot spring (onsen) destinations in Kyushu?

Kyushu has the highest concentration of onsens in Japan. Some of the best hot spring destinations include:

Beppu – The onsen capital, offering an impressive variety of hot spring baths.
Yufuin – An elegant hot spring resort with spectacular views of Mount Yufu.
Kurokawa Onsen – A historic onsen town famous for its riverside hot spring baths.
Ibusuki – Famous for its hot sand baths, a unique experience, as well as several seaside onsen hotels.
Unzen Onsen – A hot spring resort known for its boiling mud pools and surreal volcanic landscapes.

What festivals and events take place in Kyushu?

Kyushu hosts some of Japan’s most spectacular festivals:

Hakata Gion Yamakasa (Fukuoka) – Held in July, featuring massive floats raced through the city.
Nagasaki Lantern Festival – In February, celebrating the Chinese New Year with thousands of lanterns.
Kumamoto Castle Festival – A celebration of the history and culture of Kumamoto Castle.
Kagoshima Ohara Festival – In November, featuring traditional dances and other festivities.

Guided tours, activities and other things to do

If you are planning a trip to Japan and you want to do something more than just visiting famous places and monuments, we suggest you to use Rakuten Travel Experiences.

How to use Rakuten Travel Experiences

Rakuten Travel is a very useful website to enrich your travel experience, especially if you are going solo or it's your first time in Japan.
Because of the language barrier (and more), in Japan it is very difficult to interact with the locals and to get off the tourist track.
Thanks to Rakuten Travel you can find a lot of interesting and sometimes unique guided tours and activities all over Japan (and not only in Japan), that you would otherwise never be able to enjoy.
But there's more: on Rakuten Travel you can also buy tickets for several famous attractions, events, transportation and other useful services for tourists. Last but not least, you can reserve a table in hundreds of restaurants.

Some examples

You can buy tickets in advance to visit some very popular attractions and skip the queue at the ticket office, such as the Tokyo Tower, the Tokyo Sky Tree, Tokyo Disneyland or Universal Studios Osaka
You can book unique and funny tours and activities, like driving around Tokyo or Osaka on a go-kart dressed as Super Mario, or dueling with real Sumo Wrestlers
You can learn about traditional Japan, for example by joining a tea ceremony in Kyoto or by attending a crash course on Japanese Calligraphy
You can reserve your table in a lot of cafes and restaurants, for example one of the legendary 3-star Michelin restaurants in Japan, or crazy cafes like a unique Owl Cafe in Tokyo or one of the many and nowadays worldwide famous maid cafes
...

Take a look at Rakuten Travel Experiences