Top 12 Places You NEED to Visit in Kyushu, Japan

Top 12 Places You NEED to Visit in Kyushu, Japan

Kyushu is a land full of energy, from its vibrant people to its famous volcanoes. Close to the rest of Asia and easily accessible from Tokyo, Kyushu has welcomed new ideas and cultures for over a thousand years. Experience the dynamic landscapes, relax in the many hot springs, and enjoy the warmth of genuine hospitality. The road leading to the shrine is lined with shops offering umegae mochi, the locally loved rice cakes filled with sweet red bean paste. There are also a number of ice cream stands selling flavors that are entirely unique to Japan, such as green tea, black sesame, and kinako (sweet soybean), along with countless shops for buying souvenirs and knick-knacks. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine itself is magnificent, and it is further complemented by extensive grounds covered with thousands of beautiful plum trees. The main hall, or Honden, of Dazaifu Tenmangu is built over the grave of Michizane Sugawara, a scholar, politician and poet who rose to great prominence during the 9th century before being exiled to Dazaifu due to a fierce rivalry with the Fujiwara clan. Before reaching the main shrine, take a moment to explore its grounds. Part of the appeal of Dazaifu Tenmangu is that it feels completely isolated from the bustle of everyday city life. Is a large shopping and entertainment complex, calling itself a “city within the city”. Attractions include about 250 shops, cafes and restaurants, a theater, cinemas, the Grand Hyatt Fukuoka and a canal running through the complex. “Okushida-san,” as it is affectionately called by locals, is the oldest shrine in the city and is known as the guardian shrine of Hakata. The current main building of the shrine was built during the Hakata restoration by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 16th century. Towering over the entrance to the shrine is the Kushida Ginkgo Tree, at over 1,000 years old, it is widely revered as a sacred tree. It is said to have been built around 806, Tochoji Temple is also known for the tombs of Tadayuki Kuroda II and Mitsuyuki III, lords of Chikuzen Province. The 16.1 m high wooden Shakyamuni Buddha, known as the Fukuoka Daibutsu, is the largest seated statue in Japan. Shofukuji has the distinction of being the first Zen temple constructed in Japan. Although the temple buildings cannot be entered, visitors can walk through Shofukuji’s attractive temple grounds and observe the buildings from the outside. Ohori Park is a pleasant park in central Fukuoka with a large pond at its center. There is a walking path around the circumference of the pond that is just a little over two kilometers long and is popular for jogging, walking pets and leisurely strolls by the water. There are three islands in the middle of the pond that are connected to the mainland and each other by elegant stone bridges. The shrine is dedicated to all those connected to Fukuoka Prefecture who have sacrificed themselves for the country in battle from the Meiji restoration to the Pacific War. A few steps from Ohori park visitors will come across the Ohori Park Japanese Garden which – in contrast to the rest of the park – requires a small entrance fee. Here visitors can see typical features of Japanese gardens like dry landscapes and tea houses. The main hall is designated as a national treasure and the copper axe and sword of the shrine are designated as important cultural properties of the prefecture. It was once admired as the greatest shrine of Chikuzen area (northern part of the present Fukuoka prefecture). Cafe specialized in matcha drinks and sweets. With seasonal dishes. Very small cafe run by a lovely lady, and the cute house cat. Explore seven bubbling onsen hell spots. Beppu’s Jigoku—also known as the Seven Hells of Beppu—got the name from the mysterious and temperamental springs here. You can eat food, such as eggs, cooked in the boiling water. The hells are presented to visitors in a rather touristy fashion which may not appeal to everybody. Five of the seven hells are located in the Kannawa district, and two in the more remote Shibaseki district. Nestled in the charming towns of Oita and Beppu, Sally Garden Cake Shop is a delightful haven for cake lovers. Renowned for its exquisite chiffon cakes and baked treats, this cozy café offers a perfect escape to unwind. From the gondola, you can enjoy a panoramic view of cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, greenery in summer, red and yellow trees in fall, and misty ice in winter, which is rare in Kyushu. The Milch Donut and Cafe is located just a short distance from Yufuin Station, where you can enjoy the fresh taste of freshly made donuts in the store as well as take out. Located along Yufuin’s main street, “Yunotsubo Kaido,” which is lined with restaurants and souvenir shops, Yufuin cucuchi is a Japanese-Western confectionery shop. Their jams, made with Kyushu-grown fruits like amaou strawberries and white peaches, are highly recommended. The shop’s specialty is large dorayaki (Japanese sweet pancakes), roughly the size of a hand, which are carefully grilled by artisans. Nestled in the heart of Yufuin, Japan, Bread, Espresso & is a charming bakery café that captivates with its warm ambiance and delectable offerings. Its expansive windows provide a panoramic view of the surroundings. Yunotsubo Kaido Street runs through the center of the popular hot spring town of Yufuin, leading from Yufuin Station to Lake Kinrinko. It takes about 20 minutes to cover the distance without lingering, but there are enough interesting shops, cafes and galleries to merit an hour or two of strolling. The buildings lining the street are low-rise, and mostly traditional in appearance. Mt. Yufu rises above the street, adding to the picturesque setting. It is a nice place to wander and sample some local delicacies, coupled with a walk around the lake and a relaxing soak in one of the area’s many hot springs. Lake Kinrin, one of Yufuin’s most popular tourist destinations, is a serene and beautiful 400 meter circumference lake that is surrounded lush nature. Tenso Shrine sits on a quiet perch along the southeastern shore of Lake Kinrin. Sagiridai overlook offers a stunning vantage point to take in the natural beauty of Yufuin. Perched at an altitude of approximately 680 meters The owner took over his favourite cafe once he heard it was for sale. The coffee tastes exceptional when enjoyed while sitting in a comfortable chair, listening to the music in the background. One of the best places to enjoy natural
hot spring in Nagasaki Prefecture. Unzen Jigoku, also known as Unzen Hell, is one of the best places to enjoy natural hot spring in Nagasaki Prefecture. Located inside Unzen National Park, which was designated as Japan’s first national park in 1934, Unzen Hell has been a hot spring resort since the Meiji Period. There are around 30 geothermal fields that pump out natural hot spring from the ground every second. The constant steamy and almost apocalyptic like atmosphere (the smell of sulfur included) creates a hell-like scenery, hence its name – Unzen Hell. Take a stroll through Unzen Hell while indulging the smell of sulfur, the surrounding nature sound, and the live motion painting of a steamy apocalyptic setting dotted with hissing fumaroles – all of which is truly an unforgettable experience! Shimabara Castle was built by Lord Matsukura Shigemasa, and the construction of the castle took seven years to complete (1618 ~ 1624). However, during the Meiji Restoration, the castle was deserted and dismantled. The current Shimabara Castle was reconstructed in 1964, and today, many historical artifacts that relate to the Shimabara Rebellion, as well as documents on local history and folklore are on display. Samurai residence is located on the west side of Shimabara Castle and is a 400m long residential area where low-ranked samurai lived. Some of the residences are open to the public, for free. Here you can get a glimpse of theinterior and learn about the uses of the house. The fresh water that flowed through the center of the town was supplied from the Kumano Shrine to the northwest and used as drinking water, and was strictly controlled by a water magistrate. A small, isolated village in the mountains
known for porcelain workshops and storefronts Okawachiya is a small, isolated village in the mountains just outside central Imari. Okawachiyama Village consists mostly of pottery workshops and their store fronts. About 30 of them line the village’s narrow lanes, and several of them preserve their tall chimneys. The village is relatively small and easily explored on foot. On the other side of the river you can find some of the kilns still in use. One of Japan’s top three shrines dedicated
to Inari Yutoku Inari Shrine is located in Kashima City, southern Saga Prefecture. It is considered one of Japan’s top three shrines dedicated to Inari alongside 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, not unlike Kyoto’s Kiyomizudera Temple. From the main hall’s terrace, a walking trail leads further into the wooded hill behind the shrine. From the main hall you have a stunning view of the river and valley below. Japan’s longest and loftiest pedestrian bridge Japan’s longest and loftiest pedestrian bridge, it presents panoramic scenes of Oita’s verdant countryside, including two waterfalls, the Naruko River and the valley 173 meters below. The bridge is designed to hold 1,800 people at once. Views from this bridge are impressive year-round. The best time to visit is between April and early December, particularly from mid-April to May to see the lush green spring foliage, and in November for the fiery autumn colors. Ecosystems that preserve unusual flora and also shelter various forms of wildlife. Located at the trailhead of Aso Kuju National Park, the Chojabaru Visitor Center showcases the history and natural beauty of Kuju. Behind the center lies the precious Tadewara Marshland, one of Japan’s largest mid-altitude marshlands. Registered under the Ramsar Convention in 2005 as Oita’s first such site, it is home to rare wetland plants, including mosses thriving in spring water. Beach covered in pebbles of recycled glass Located in Omura City, on the southwestern corner of Japan, this obscure beach is so far off the map that it doesn’t actually have a name. However, when the sun hits it just right, it sparkles unlike any other beach you’ve ever seen. That’s because this beach is covered in glass. This glass beach looks like any other beach at first, but upon closer inspection, the thousands of pieces of rounded glass catch the light and mesmerise onlookers. A natural site of exceptional beauty, known for its crystal-clear, blue-green water that creates a mystical
atmosphere. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Kurodake on the eastern side of the Kuju Mountain Range, Oike Spring is a natural site of exceptional beauty, known for its crystal-clear, blue-green water that creates a mystical atmosphere. The spring is fed by pure water emerging from underground, its remarkable clarity allowing even the smallest details of the pond’s bottom to be seen from the surface. A 1.4-kilometer walking trail starts at Oike Spring, offering opportunities for trekking and immersing yourself in the forest. Magnificent natural formation spanning the cities of Beppu and Yufu Yufugawa canyon is a magnificent natural formation spanning the cities of Beppu and Yufu. Stretching approximately 12 kilometers in length, its towering cliffs – ranging from 15 to 60 meters high – create an awe-inspiring landscape. Once at the riverbank, a mesmerizing scene unfolds – sunlight streaming through the trees and canyon walls creates a mystical atmosphere that takes your breath away. Hope you enjoyed this video and got some ideas for your next trip to Kyushu.

Discover the best of Kyushu, Japan!

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From volcanic landscapes and relaxing hot springs to ancient temples, vibrant cities, and breathtaking nature, Kyushu is one of Japan’s most underrated travel gems. In this video, I’m taking you through my Top 12 must-visit places in Kyushu—perfect for first-time visitors, returning travelers, or anyone planning an unforgettable Japan adventure.

00:00 intro
01:28 Fukuoka
08:23 Beppu
10:45 Yufuin
14:54 Unzen Jigoku
16:07 Shimabara
17:30 Okawachiyama Village
18:37 Yutoku Inari Shrine
20:38 Kokonoe Yume Otsuribashi
21:46 Tadewara Wetlands
22:35 Glass sand beach
23:33 Oike Spring
24:29 Yufugawa canyon

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