{"id":10568,"date":"2015-11-20T17:50:31","date_gmt":"2015-11-20T17:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.insidejapantours.com\/?p=10568"},"modified":"2023-10-15T01:42:11","modified_gmt":"2023-10-15T00:42:11","slug":"7-reasons-visit-kyushu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/20\/7-reasons-visit-kyushu\/","title":{"rendered":"7 reasons to visit Kyushu"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p><b>Kyushu is the third-largest of Japan\u2019s four main islands. Somewhere between The Netherlands and Switzerland in size, it lies to the southwest of its brothers and sisters, and has a character and charm entirely its own. It\u2019s also rarely visited by foreign travellers \u2014 but here are seven reasons why you should. <\/b><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2>1. The volcanoes<\/h2>\n<p>Forget Fuji \u2013 Kyushu is the real land of fire. Japan is home to a tenth of the world\u2019s active volcanoes, and Kyushu\u2019s Mount Aso is the biggest of the lot. The surrounding countryside also happens to be absolutely beautiful, and when Aso isn\u2019t belching too much smoke and ash, it\u2019s possible to hike to the top and peer into its bright blue crater lake.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29825\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29825\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29825 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-720x478.jpg\" alt=\"Green mound covered in short grass with fog in the background\" width=\"720\" height=\"478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-1200x797.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-1440x956.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-780x518.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984-510x339.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-138984.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29825\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mount Aso<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Kyushu is also home to the most active volcano in Japan: Sakurajima. Sitting across the bay from the city of Kagoshima, it has been erupting almost constantly since 1955, and a column of smoke can be seen rising from its cone most days. Sakurajima\u2019s last major eruption occurred in 1914, after more than a century of dormancy, and the resulting lava flow is what turned the volcano from an island into a peninsula.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29828\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29828\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29828 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Hot spring waters with views of Sakurajima volcano\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Open-air-hot-springHOTEL-SHIROYAMA.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29828\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sakurajima viewed from the city of Kagoshima<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>2. World Heritage islands<\/h2>\n<p>Kyushu is the gateway to some of our favourite Japanese islands, which can be reached by ferry or plane from the island\u2019s coastal cities. Gunkanjima, or \u201cBattleship Island\u201d, is an abandoned mining island that shot to fame in the West as the villain\u2019s lair in the James Bond film Skyfall. It was awarded World Heritage status in 2015 as one of the key sites of Japan\u2019s Meiji Industrial Revolution, and it can now be visited on a day cruise from Nagasaki.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29831\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29831\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29831 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Azure ocean with abandoned buildings on island\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/gunkanjima-725792.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29831\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The eerily deserted Gunkanjima<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A very different World Heritage Island is Yakushima, not far from Kagoshima. Covered in primeval rainforest and populated mainly by deer and monkeys, this was the inspiration behind Hayao Miyazaki\u2019s acclaimed film Princess Mononoke, and is the last remnant of the warm-temperate rainforests that once dominated this part of the world. It\u2019s also home to Japan\u2019s oldest tree, Jomon Sugi, a cryptomeria which is thought to be between 2-7,000 years old.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29834\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29834\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29834 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of tall tree looking verdant and lush with moss\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ShirataniUnsuikyo5-Edit.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29834\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One of Yakushima&#8217;s famous thousand-year-old cedars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>3. Hot springs<\/h2>\n<p>Wherever there are volcanoes, there are hot springs \u2013 and Kyushu has some of Japan\u2019s finest. For dramatic, moon-like landscapes filled with billowing steam, bubbling pools, and the smell of sulphur, head to Unzen Onsen. For the quintessential hot-spring town, filled with wooden bathhouses and aromatic cypress baths, there\u2019s nowhere better than Kurokawa Onsen. And for hot-spring bathing on the beach, head to Yakushima.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29837\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29837\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29837 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-720x539.jpg\" alt=\"Colourful water in hot spring with smoke and vapor coming out\" width=\"720\" height=\"539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-720x539.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-1024x766.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-564x422.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-1536x1149.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-1200x898.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-900x673.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-1440x1077.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-390x292.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-780x583.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Miscellanies-46-Edit.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29837\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One of the steaming pools at Unzen Onsen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>4. Countryside<\/h2>\n<p>Japan may be most famous for its sprawling cities and towering skyscrapers, but there is beautiful countryside to be found on all of the country\u2019s main islands. Kyushu\u2019s landscapes tend to be lush, green and open, with a very different atmosphere to the towering mountains of Honshu, the hidden valleys of Shikoku, or the windswept plains of northern Hokkaido. As we mentioned above, the area around Mount Aso is particularly stunning \u2013 get up to the crater early in the morning to see the landscape of rolling hills and rice paddies blanketed in a sea of clouds.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29840\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29840\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29840 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Wooden walkway on green mountain with clouds and sun in the background\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/aso-4465164.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29840\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">View around Mount Aso<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>5. The people<\/h2>\n<p>Perhaps it\u2019s the warm climate, but everybody who visits Kyushu seems to remark on the languid pace of life and cheerful, laid-back attitude of its residents. The frenetic rush of Tokyo and the in-your-face brashness of Osaka have their own merits, but it is Kyushu where you will really get a chance to slow down and enjoy the open and welcoming attitude of your hosts. Plus, the Japanese will tell you that Fukuoka has the most beautiful women in Japan \u2013 and the men aren\u2019t too bad either.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Kimono-girls-VIOLET.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10570\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Kimono-girls-VIOLET-720x1280.jpg\" alt=\"Girls wearing kimonos in store in Fukuoka\" width=\"350\" height=\"622\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Kimono-girls-VIOLET-720x1280.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Kimono-girls-VIOLET-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Kimono-girls-VIOLET-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Kimono-girls-VIOLET-390x693.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Kimono-girls-VIOLET-780x1386.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Kimono-girls-VIOLET-510x907.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Kimono-girls-VIOLET.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>6. History<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Everybody knows about the devastating history of Nagasaki, which was the second and last city ever to be hit by an atomic bomb in 1945. But <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">this vibrant city <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">has a much longer and richer history than most people realise. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Nagasaki<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> was one of the only places open to foreign trade during Japan\u2019s long period of isolation, and the remnants of that early cultural exchange are still evident<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> in the city<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> today. Grab a slice of Portuguese-inspired castella cake, visit some of the oldest European houses in Japan at Glover Gardens, and <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wander the streets of Dejima Island, once the only place in Japan that Dutch and Portuguese merchants were allowed to live and trade.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29843\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29843\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29843 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-720x405.jpg\" alt=\"City night lights of Nagasaki seen from Mount Inasa lookout\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-564x317.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-900x506.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-1440x810.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-390x219.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-780x439.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa-510x287.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nagasaki-night-view-from-Mt-Inasa.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29843\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nagasaki: a city full of history<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>7. Food<\/h2>\n<p>Literally everywhere in Japan has incredible food \u2013 and Kyushu is no different. <em>Hakata ramen<\/em> is the island\u2019s signature dish, made with a pork bone broth and flavoured with soy sauce and miso. Anybody who has tried it tends to come over all misty-eyed whenever it\u2019s mentioned. Kyushu is also famous for its beef, which is claimed by many to be the most mouthwatering in Japan, and it\u2019s the place to try <em>fugu<\/em> \u2014 the potentially fatal pufferfish prepared only by licensed chefs.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29846\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29846\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29846 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Chef preparing street food for patrons \" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6-510x383.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Unknown-6.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29846\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fukuoka&#8217;s open-air food stalls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>If you have been seduced by the many charms of Kyushu and fancy heading off the beaten track, have a look at our independent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/self-guided-japan-holidays\/i-kac\/kyushu-adventure\/\">Kyushu Adventure<\/a> itinerary; it&#8217;s an excellent place to start!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10568\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Kyushu is the third-largest of Japan\u2019s four main islands. Somewhere between The Netherlands and Switzerland in size, it lies to the southwest of its brothers and sisters, and has a character and charm entirely its own. It\u2019s also rarely visited by foreign travellers \u2014 but here are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2362],"tags":[1538,1766,1824,1910,2607],"class_list":["post-10568","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-places-and-where-to-stay-in-japan","tag-fukuoka","tag-kagoshima","tag-kyushu","tag-nagasaki","tag-gunkanjima"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10568","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10568"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10568\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33017,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10568\/revisions\/33017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10568"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10568"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10568"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}