Top Things To Do in Kyushu

Kyushu, Japan's third-largest island, is home to many wonders and the perfect location for an adventure of a lifetime. You can explore the region's culture through delicately beautiful ceramics that serve as a testament to a bygone period, and traverse unique landscapes that reward you for a journey well done with breathtaking views of towering summits. Kyushu allows you to indulge in gastronomic delights enhanced by scenic vistas and taste some of the best sake in the country. This island is a place of irresistible fascination that pulls you in, leaving you with unforgettable memories.

 

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Hiking the Mt Unzen (Photo Credit: komc)

 

Conquer the Peaks of Unzen

If you're a hiker or even if you aren't (the region's awe-inspiring scenery might inspire you), you should check out Mount Unzen when in Kyushu. Mount Unzen, which sits on the Shimabara Peninsula and forms part of the Unzen-Amakusa National Park, offers a rare opportunity to witness an active volcanic landscape up close. This volcanic complex features several peaks, including Fugendake (1,359m) and the smoking Heisei Shinzan (1,486m), formed during the eruptions in the 1990s.

 

Starting at the Nita-toge Pass, the Unzen Ropeway lifts you to scenic observation points, providing extensive views of the Ariake Sea and the distant Kumamoto Prefecture when the weather is clear. Fugendake is a popular and well-marked trail from which you can even catch sight of Heisei Shinzan's peak. Hiking between the upper ropeway station and Fugendake takes about one hour.

 

The hiking experience is enhanced by the seasons – in spring, the slopes are adorned with stunning pink azaleas, and in summer, mild temperatures and lush greenery. Autumn presents rare foliage, and winter transforms the landscape into a frosty wonderland. After hiking, you can check out the Unzen Onsen hot springs resort, which offers over 30 sulfuric pools to soak away hiking fatigue.

 

 

Hizen Hamajuku / Sake Brewery Street (Photo Credit: komc)

 

Sample Saga's Legendary Sake

Saga Prefecture is famous for its sake, which benefits from the pristine water flowing from Mount Taradake, recognized as one of Japan's top 100 natural water sources. This is combined with sweet rice grown in Saga's temperate climate.

 

The historic town of Hizen Hamashuku in Kashima City is the heart of the rice wine-producing region, home to several sake breweries. A famous street is Sakagura-dori, which still retains traditional Japanese terrain and has maintained its sake-brewing culture since the Edo period. Once home to 13 sake breweries, today only three still operate along this street, including Fukuchiyo Shuzo, Mitsutake Shuzo, and Minematsu Shuzo. The other three continue to operate in another part of Kashima City.

 

Fuckuchiyo has the award-winning Nabeshima brand and a gallery space where visitors can view exhibits of its major sake brands, but doesn't offer regular tours or tastings (special arrangements can be made with reservations). Other breweries, such as Minematsu Shuzo and Mitsutake Shuzo, offer tours and tastings. There are events you could enjoy, depending on when you visit this city, including the Sake Brewery Tourism event, which draws over 80,000 people. There is also the Hizen Hamashuku Autumn Sake Festival, held from late October to early November.

 

 

Horse Riding at Mt Aso

 

Experience Horse Riding Across Aso's Vast Grasslands

Explore one of Kyushu's most iconic landscapes from horseback at Aso-Kuju National Park. The view from atop a saddle rewards you with awe-inspiring vistas of the five peaks of Mount Aso, the Kuju mountain range, and the Sobosan range. Many ranches, including the renowned El Patio Ranch, offer courses ranging from 20-minute introductory rides to longer ones that ascend hills and follow the panoramic Yamanani Highway.

 

Horseback riding across Aso's vast grasslands allows you to connect with one of Japan's most dramatic terrains from a unique vantage point, with the varying seasons painting the grass in different colours. With the help of professional guides, even beginner riders can experience the freedom of trotting through open meadows. The region's rich volcanic soil also supports grazing cattle and the famous Akaushi beef, making it equally rewarding for food enthusiasts.

 

 

Ceramic Shopping at Arita (Photo Credit: komc)

 

Go Ceramic Shopping in a Historic Ceramic Village

Journey into Saga Prefecture, which hosts the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. Japan's porcelain was discovered about four centuries ago in Arita after kaolin clay was uncovered, and skilled Korean craftsmen began production. Today, Arita offers a very accessible ceramic shopping experience, with galleries and shops decorating its main street, and fine pieces for sale, from affordable everyday items to museum-quality works. You can also check out other fascinating sites, such as the Tozan Shrine, which features porcelain rather than traditional stone elements.

 

For a more intimate experience, you can visit Okawachiyama, a remote village known as the "Village of Secret Kilns. This hamlet was deliberately secluded by the Nabeshima Clan from 1675 to 1871 to protect their secret techniques for making porcelain. The ceramics here are more exclusive than Arita's broader selection, specializing in the refined Nabeshima ware once reserved for nobility. You can watch the craftsmen as they work and look around for pieces that appeal to you, from traditional to contemporary designs.

 

 

Peace Park Nagasaki (Photo Credit: komc)

 

Reflect at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum provides a sobering look at a catastrophically devastating moment in history. On August 9, 1945, at 11:02 am, an atomic bomb exploded over Nagasaki, claiming tens of thousands of lives. The museum, opened in 1996, showcases what was left from the fire, including burnt clothing, a watch stopped at the exact moment of detonation and first-hand accounts from survivors.

 

The museum's thoughtful design takes you through the lead-up to the bombing, the immediate devastation and the long-term effects of radiation. It also addresses the development of nuclear weapons and the ongoing pursuit of global disarmament. Other structures close to the Museum honour the dead from the explosion, including Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall.

 

 

Sakurai Futamigaura (Photo Credit: shutterstock)

 

Witness the Sacred Couple Rocks at Sakurai Futamigaura

The Couple Stones consist of two massive rocks rising from the cobalt waters of the Genkai Sea, connected by a shimenawa rope and framed by a pristine white torii gate. In Shinto tradition, the stones represent husband and wife; the rope symbolizes marriage and unity.

 

The site belongs to Sakurai Shrine and has been designated one of Japan's "Top 100 Sunset Spots" and "Top 100 Beaches". Watching the sunset here is the kind of experience you can't put into words – the sun descending between rocks, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks leaves you in awe. It is the perfect romantic destination to visit with your lover.

 

 

Luxury Cruise to Gunkanjima Island

 

Voyage to Gunkanjima Island

Step into a world where time stands still. As you glide across the crystalline waters of Nagasaki Bay, the mist parts to reveal the haunting silhouette of Hashima Island—affectionately known as Gunkanjima. Rising from the sea like a great stone battleship, this abandoned monolith captures the imagination with its weathered concrete towers and silent, salt-dusted streets.

 

Once a bustling coal-mining hub, the island is now a captivating UNESCO World Heritage Site, famously serving as the inspiration for the "Dead City" in the James Bond masterpiece, Skyfall. Accompanied by expert guides, you are invited to wander through this evocative time capsule. Here, the whispers of history mingle with the crisp sea breeze, offering a rare glimpse into a forgotten era of architectural ingenuity and industrial spirit. It is an experience that is both eerie and undeniably elegant—a true must-see for the modern explorer.

 

 

Kurokawa Onsen (Photo Credit: komc)

 

Wellness Travel: Island of Healing Waters

Known as the Island of Healing Waters, Kyushu offers a wellness experience steeped in tradition, luxury, and profound natural beauty. The island’s abundant volcanic activity has blessed it with some of the most exceptional onsens (hot springs) in the world, drawing visitors into a blissful escape where body and soul are gently cradled by nature.

 

In the ethereal mists of Beppu, mineral-rich waters rise in therapeutic clouds from the earth's core, while Yufuin’s serene countryside springs lie embraced by verdant, velvet mountains. Each enclave weaves its own tale of tranquility; the historic stone baths of Kurokawa Onsen offer a secluded sanctuary deep within a forested gorge, and the legendary waters of Takeo and Ureshino—famed for their silk-like texture—leave the skin feeling radiant and renewed. Here, time dissolves as warm, healing waters envelop the senses, washing away the weariness of the modern world. Kyushu’s onsens are far more than mere destinations; they are sacred, ancestral rituals that invite a profound sense of introspection and spiritual rebirth.

 

 

Kirishima Mountain in Spring (Photo Credit: K.P.V.B)

 

Kyushu's Enchanting Walking Trails

In Kyushu, you'll find some of Japan's most stunning walking trails. Explore the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Mt. Aso, with its steaming craters and vast meadows. For a more tranquil journey, visit the ancient forests of Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage site where mystical trails lead through groves of giant, centuries-old cedar trees.

 

For a spiritual experience, walk the pilgrimage trails of the Kunisaki Peninsula, passing hidden temples and stone Buddhas. Discover the ethereal beauty of Takachiho Gorge as you follow a path along the emerald Gokase River, leading to the magnificent Manai Falls. Or, explore the serene trails of Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park, a land of volcanic mountains and mystical crater lakes.

 

 

Aso Grassland Cycling (Photo Credit: komc)

 

Cycling Through Kyushu

Kyushu invites you to embark on a sensory odyssey through some of Japan’s most captivating landscapes, where every turn of the pedal reveals a new masterpiece of nature. From the emerald depths of Takachiho Gorge to the dramatic, smoke-kissed silhouette of Sakurajima standing sentinel over Kagoshima Bay, the island is a sanctuary for those who seek both challenge and serenity. Imagine the exhilarating ascent toward Mount Aso, where you can cycle along the rim of one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas, or find solace on the Shimabara Peninsula, where coastal roads wind through ancient fishing villages and offer breathtaking views of the majestic Mount Unzen.

 

Whether you crave the ambition of a long-distance pilgrimage or the gentle pace of a scenic escape, Kyushu’s diverse routes cater to every adventurous spirit. For the ultimate exploration, the Trans-Kyushu routes weave together the vibrant energy of Fukuoka with the tranquil, healing waters of Beppu and Yufuin, creating a journey that seamlessly blends urban elegance with rural charm. Shorter, equally enchanting paths like the Chikugo River Cycling Road or the coastal loops of Shikanoshima Island offer a more intimate connection with the land, inviting you to linger in historic towns and rejuvenate in hidden onsens as the sun sets over the Ariake Sea.

 

 

Terre Maison de Chef

 

Savor Japanese-French Fusion at Terre Maison de Chef's Outdoor Dining

While in Kyushu, you have to witness and savor the culinary masterpiece that is Chef Hiroshi Takeda's cooking. This chef offers an exclusive, intimate outdoor dining experience in a serene area near a daiko (radish) farm. The private dining experience brings Japanese-French fusion artistry to life, accompanied by scenic vistas of the Kita-Dake Mountain (North Peak) and the surrounding Kinko Bay.

 

Chef Takeda, who previously went by Taishi Takeda, prepares each course on-site using fresh, organic ingredients sourced from local Kagoshima growers. The multi-course menu showcases some of Kagoshima's best seasonal produce, including locally grown vegetables to premium seafood from the surrounding waters, all elevated through French culinary techniques. Every course comes with expert drink pairings carefully chosen to complement a range of flavor profiles.

 

 

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