Things to Do in Kyushu, Japan

The volcanic south: active craters, some of Japan's best onsen, and gateways to the Ryukyu islands.

91 destinations across 7 prefectures

Festivals in Kyushu

Suggested Itineraries

Places to Visit in Kyushu

Munakata Grand Shrine

Photo: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Shrine
Fukuoka

Munakata Grand Shrine

Sacred Island and Ancient Shrines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising three shrines dedicated to the three Munakata goddesses, ...

Munakata, Fukuoka, Japan
Yakushima photo
Attraction
Kagoshima

Yakushima

Ancient Cedar Forest World Heritage Island

A UNESCO World Heritage island with ancient cedar forests, said to have inspired Princess Mononoke.

Yakushima, Kagoshima, Japan
Kumamoto Castle

© Birdman at Japanese Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Castle
Kumamoto

Kumamoto Castle

One of Japan's Three Premier Castles

Under restoration after the 2016 and July 2026 earthquakes. The main tower has reopened, but chec...

Kumamoto, Japan
Mount Inasa

© ぱちょぴ / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Mountain
Nagasaki

Mount Inasa

333-Metre Summit with Night Views over Nagasaki

A 333-metre mountain west of central Nagasaki with a summit observatory reached by ropeway, known...

Nagasaki, Japan
Attraction
Miyazaki

Nichinan Coast

Scenic Coastline with Devil's Washboard Rock Formations

The Nichinan Coast stretches over 100 kilometers along Miyazaki's Pacific shore, famous for its d...

Miyazaki, Japan
Attraction
Kagoshima

Amami Oshima

A UNESCO World Heritage island between Kyushu and Okinawa, with pristine mangrove forests, vibran...

Kagoshima, Japan
Attraction
Kagoshima

Tanegashima

Island of Rockets and the Arrival of Firearms

Southern island famous as the site where firearms first arrived in Japan and home to JAXA's spect...

Kagoshima, Japan
Castle
Fukuoka

Kokura Castle

Kokura Castle - Edo-Period Castle with Unique Architecture

An Edo-period castle in the heart of Kitakyushu, notable for its distinctive karazukuri architect...

Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
Historic Site
Nagasaki

Hashima Island (Gunkanjima)

Abandoned Coal Mining Island and UNESCO Industrial Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution, Hashima...

Nagasaki, Japan
Attraction
Kagoshima

Satsuma Peninsula

Southern Kagoshima's Scenic Cape and Historic Coast

Southern peninsula with coastal cliffs, the Chiran Kamikaze pilot museum, sand baths at Ibusuki, ...

Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima, Japan
Attraction
Nagasaki

Goto Islands

Remote Island Chain with Hidden Christian Heritage

Remote archipelago of 140 islands known for UNESCO-listed Hidden Christian churches, pristine bea...

Nagasaki, Japan
Historic Site
Nagasaki

Oura Church

Japan's Oldest Standing Church and National Treasure

Japan's oldest standing Christian church, designated a National Treasure and part of the UNESCO H...

Nagasaki, Japan
Temple
Fukuoka

Nanzoin Temple

Home of the World's Largest Bronze Reclining Buddha

Shingon Buddhist temple housing the world's largest bronze reclining Buddha statue at 41 meters l...

Sasaguri, Fukuoka, Japan
Onsen
Oita

Yufuin

Yufuin Onsen

Yufuin is an onsen town at the foot of Mount Yufu, known for its art museums, boutique ryokan, an...

Yufu, Oita, Japan
City
Oita

Oita City

Gateway to Onsen Country

Prefectural capital serving as the gateway to Beppu and Yufuin, known for toriten chicken tempura...

Oita, Japan