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Apr 18, 2024 · Kyushu, southernmost and third largest of the four main islands of Japan. It is bordered by the East China Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Its name refers to the nine ancient provinces ( kuni ) into which the island was once divided.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Explore thousands of years of history and experience ancient traditions on this vibrant island. At the heart of Japan's ancient origins and as the gateway between Japan and the world, Kyushu's history is dynamic. The legends of gods and goddesses were born here, living on through songs and festivals.
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- Kumamoto Castle
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Kitsuki, Oita Prefecture
In certain places in Kitsuki’s castle town, you could be forgiven for believing you had slipped through a wormhole to a different time. Reminders of ancient days are everywhere: a traditional gate called Hanko-no-mon, built during the Edo period (1603-1868), guards the entrance to a local elementary school and has seen many children pass through since it was built. This town, even with its beautiful patina, is a living town, but a sense of continuity with the past is palpable. For instance, Su...
Futago-ji Temple and the Kunisaki Peninsula
The temple of Futago-ji, in the middle of the Kunisaki Peninsula, was founded in 718 and dedicated to Fudō-Myō-o, the fire-enshrouded, sword-wielding deity. Today there’s a lovely climb to the shrine, which is built into the face of a cliff. Walk beyond a set of impressive Nio Guardian statues and some Buddhist temple buildings, then pass under a Shinto torii gate – The presence of a Shinto gateway at a Buddhist temple indicates the amalgamation of the two religions over the centuries. From t...
Arita and the pottery towns, Saga Prefecture
Moving west through Fukuoka Prefecture, the fastest-growing startup hub in Japan, the next prefecture is Saga. There, the towns of Arita, Imari and Karatsu established valuable trade links with the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century, when internal strife in China made it nearly impossible to acquire porcelain there. In Arita in particular the pottery was so exquisite, enthusiasm from Dutch royalty and wealthy aristocrats came to be known as ‘porcelain sickness.’ The artwork was high...
Hirado and the hidden Christians, Nagasaki Prefecture
The next port of call is Hirado, in historic NagasakiPrefecture. Secluded yet lovely, with hills rising steeply from the sea, the port town was once the spot where foreigners visited Japan, and a symbol of globalization powered by wind and sail. St. Francis Xavier baptized more than 100 people in Hirado in 1550, with Christianity gaining a foothold in the region. Some 70 years later – due to an anti-Christian edict by the suspicious Tokugawa Shogun – many Christians were killed, beginning Jap...
Nagasaki’s moving reminders of World War II tragedy
It’s both unfortunate and important that the name Nagasakiis synonymous with the dropping of the second atomic bomb during World War II. The history of the destruction and loss of life stemming from the 9 August 1945 detonation undeniably overshadows everything else in this otherwise vibrant and charming city, with a welcoming and peaceful vibe. The WWII history cannot be overlooked, however, and a visit to the scenes of destruction keep the memory of the victims alive. Many of these reminder...
Onsen and kabuki in Yamaga, Kumamoto Prefecture
You could take a 60-minute ferry from Shimabara in Nagasaki Prefecture directly to Kumamoto, but then you would miss the charming and under-the-radar Edo town of Yamaga. The town has long been known for its hot springs, but they are certainly not the only points of interest. Rent a kimono for the day and truly ‘bathe’ in Yamaga’s nostalgic atmosphere. There are just a few kabuki theaters – featuring elaborate costumes and dynamic acting – left in Japan and Yachiyo-za, established in 1910, is...
Kumamoto’s Castle, one of the three most famous castles in Japan, is one of Japan’s best, built in 1601-07 and the seat of the powerful Hosokawa clan starting in 1632. Kumamotois justly proud of the architectural and historic landmark, around which the city radiates, but it was severely damaged by a major earthquake in 2016. The local government ha...
Sengan-en, Kagoshima
Sengan-en, originally constructed in 1658, is the former residence of the Shimazu family of the Satsuma Clan, one of the most powerful feudal clans during the Edo period, and its attached garden, which is part of a larger World Heritage Site. One of the most striking features of the garden is its views of nearby Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay. The grounds also include ceremonial gardens, photogenic shrines and symbolic sculptures and rock formations, such as the jumping-lion lantern, arching to...
Udo-jingū Shrine, Miyazaki Prefecture
One of your final stops should be where it all began. Udo-jingū, located on the Nichinan Coast south of Miyazaki City, is dedicated to Ugayafukiaezu, the father of the Emperor Jimmu, the mythical first emperor of Japan. This brightly painted shrine, set in a cave on the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean, provides spectacular views and was designated a site of special scenic beauty by the Japanese government in 2017. Next to the shrine is a terrace overlooking the sea. Among the rocks below...
Back in Beppu, Oita Prefecture
We arrive back where we began, and Beppuis the perfect place to relax away the fatigue of the road. You don’t have to look far to see the reason for this town’s popularity: steam rising from vents in the earth means there are onsen-bathing opportunites galore. With eight onsen districts, aficionados spend their time moving from one bath to another and consider at least three baths a day de rigueur. Beppu's most-hyped attraction is the jigoku meguri (‘hell circuit’; groups of boiling hot sprin...
The historical regional name Saikaidō (西海道, lit. West Sea Circuit ) referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands. Kyushu has a land area of 36,782 square kilometres (14,202 sq mi) and a population of 14,311,224 in 2018.
- 36,782.37 km² (14,201.75 sq mi)
- 12,650,847 (as of June 2022)
- 37th
- East Asia
Other ancient names for Kyushu include Kyūkoku (九国 Nine States ), Chinzei (鎮西 West of the Pacified Area ), and Tsukushi-no-shima (筑紫島 Island of Tsukushi ). The historical regional name Saikaidō (西海道 West Sea Circuit) referred to Kyūshū and its surrounding islands.
Mar 18, 2020 · By the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Asian and Western traders, coming to Kyushu from China, Korea, Portugal, Spain, Holland and England, were beginning to introduce all manner of new goods to Japan. Even Japanese shipbuilding was influenced by the foreign ships to call at Kyushu ports. Photo by David Jaskiewicz.
Kyushu takes its name from the nine kuni, or ancient provinces of the island, that make up its present-day districts. It has all the natural beauty of Japan: mountains, river valleys, and forests. The more rugged interior terrain offers a variety of great hiking opportunities and abundant wildlife. Spring is a great time to explore the island's ...
