35 Popular Tourist Spots in Kyushu: Packed with Diverse Attractions!

Kyushu, with its diverse attractions, is a destination that can be enjoyed in any season. If you want to fully appreciate its natural scenery, spring and autumn are the best times to visit.
In spring, the region comes alive with vibrant colors as cherry blossoms, tulips, wisteria and other flowers bloom across various locations.
In autumn, breathtaking scenic spots are adorned with stunning autumn foliage, creating a picturesque and atmospheric landscape to enjoy.

Each prefecture in Kyushu has its own airport, and when including the remote islands, there are around 20 airports in total.
As a result, air travel is the primary means of access from other regions of Japan. Some airports operate regular international flights, making Kyushu easily accessible from overseas as well.
For those traveling from the Kansai region, the Sanyo Shinkansen runs from Shin-Osaka Station to Hakata Station in Fukuoka, providing a convenient alternative to flying.

Dazaifu Tenmangu is the head shrine of 10,000 different shrines across Japan dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane. Sugawara was an acclaimed scholar who was deemed innocent posthumously after being exiled to Dazaifu by Kyoto’s Imperial Court.
The main hall was built over his grave and has been preserved as a sacred site of Tenjin worship for over 1100 years.

This landmark in Fukuoka City was built as a monument of 1989 Asia Pacific Expo (Yokatopia). It is 234m-tall and the top floor has an observation area with a 360-degree panorama over Fukuoka City.

Moji Port was opened in the early Meiji Period and prospered in international trade. Nostalgic architecture, built from the Meiji into early Showa Periods, are still standing today. It is a fun area to meander.
First, visit JR Mojiko Station. In 2019, the 105th year since its opening, repair and preservation work was completed and the 2-story wooden building was restored into the state in the Taisho Period.

Marine World Uminonakamichi, opened in 1989, is an aquarium that exhibits about 350 species and 30,000 organisms under the theme of "Kyushu's Sea”. After a major renovation in 2017, 90% of the tanks were replaced, including the 7-meter-deep open-ocean tank. The new tanks reproduce the sea of Kyushu more realistically and allow visitors to observe the ecology of living creatures in a form closer to nature.

This head shrine is said to have been built in the 8th century. Residents in Hakata call it “Okushida san.” Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival declares the arrival of summer to the City of Hakata in July, and is dedicated to this shrine. On the premises, the impressively decorated yamakasa (float) is on display throughout the year except for June.

Yoshinogari Historical Park is a specially designated historical site of Japan.
Spanning a total area of 117 hectares, Yoshinogari Historical Park is one of the Japan’s largest historic ruins from the Yayoi Era (5c. B.C. - 3c. A.D.) moat-encircled settlement.
The ruins were discovered during an excavation in 1986.

This shrine is one of Japan’s great Inari shrines along with Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and Kasama Inari Shrine in Ibaraki. In 1687, Hizen Kajima Domain's lord, Nabeshima Naotomo, was marrying Kazanin Manko-hime from Kyoto, when she requested the deity, Inari Okami, who the imperial court offered prayers to, to be imparted and this shrine was built.

A retainer of Hideyoshi Toyotomi and the first lord of Karatsu, Hirotaka Terasawa, had completed its building for 7years in 1602. Many lords from the Kyushu area helped this construction and old materials used in the Nagoya castle were used. The castle looks like a crane's body and the pine trees stretching from the east to west look like its wings, which was given its nickname to Maizuru castle (a dancing- crane castle).

Mifuneyama is the symbol of Takeo Town. With its cliff in the background, Nabeshima Domain’s 28th Takeo lord, Nabeshima Shigeyoshi spent three years building a garden. This garden with a path encircling a big pond was completed in 1845. It can contain 10 Tokyo domes, boasting a vast 123-acre ground.

Along the Karatsu Bay, a pine grove stretches in the shape of a rainbow. This national special scenic spot started when Karatsu Domain’s first lord, Terazawa Hirotaka began planting as a protection against wind and tide in the early 17th century. Roughly 1 million pine trees form a 4.5km-long and 500m-wide grove. It is one of the three most scenic pine groves in Japan along with Miho and Kii’s pine groves.

This outdoor museum preserves the residential area of the merchants who came to Nagasaki from overseas more than 160 years ago. The Garden stands on a hill overlooking Nagasaki Port, dotted with intriguing places to see.

This is the largest theme park in Japan, with beautiful European-like cityscapes and a canal that leads to the sea. The park is decorated with seasonal flowers and illuminations and has a wide range of the latest attractions. The park is also filled with excitement and a moving experience through a variety of events.

Kujukushima is a complex structured haven including the labyrinth like Ria coast and 208 islands. Kujuku refers to the number “99”. The Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort is at the entrance of the coast. Here, you can enjoy marine sports such as cruising, marine sports, aquariums and zoos.

Hashima, also known as “Gunkanjima” or “battleship island”, is an uninhabited island that sits approx. 18km off the port of Nagasaki.
With the island’s surrounding concrete breakwater wall and multi-story apartment complex inside, the island was nicknamed “Battleship Island” for its apparent resemblance to Battleship Tosa.

At 333m above sea level, this observatory stands at the top of Mt. Inasayama at the center of Nagasaki City. The observatory with a cafe and restaurant offers a view over Nagasaki Bay, Unzen, Amakusa and Goto Islands.

Yufuin Onsen is a hot spring resort at the foot of Mt. Yufu at the heart of Oita Prefecture. There is no big hotel and many inns are tranquil Japanese style, which are popular among women visitors. The abundant hot spring is ranked 2nd on the water supply in the nation. Thanks to the many source springs, inns do not have to cluster, but are comfortably spaced. The sources are mainly alkaline simple springs. The soft water is effective for neuralgia, chills, fatigue, etc.

This is a large, 777-meter-high suspension bridge for sightseeing that spans the Kyusuikei Valley near the Kumamoto Prefecture border at the foot of the Kuju Mountain Range. The 173-meter-high, 390-meter-long suspension bridge, Japan's tallest pedestrian bridge, offers a thrilling view of the surrounding valley and is a popular observation spot.

Beppu onsen is the collective name for all of the hot springs across Beppu City in Oita Prefecture. With 2,847 different springs that produce about 130,000 kiloliters of spring water every day, its ranked among the highest of hot springs in Japan. Beppu Onsen is divided into 8 areas and is also called Beppu Hatto or Bappu Onsenkyo. The many different springs offer different water properties and colors, so you won’t want to miss the chance to visit as many different hot springs as possible.

Umitamago is an aquarium facing Beppu Bay, and its theme is "Getting close to animals," so it is a popular spot for visitors who want to get up close and personal with dolphins, walruses, and other marine animals.

Kinrin Lake is one of many popular tourist spots in the hot springs town of Yufuin. The lake sits under Mt. Yufu and as such was called takemoto-no-ike (lit. “lake under the mountain”) for years. However, it was renamed to Kinrin, or “golden scales”, by Mori Kuso in 1884 when he saw the golden glimmering scales of fish as they swam at sunset.

Kumamoto Castle is the famous castle built by Kiyomasa Kato in 1607. It was built using the latest, cutting edge techniques at the time and was the setting of many important moments in Japan’s history.

This hot springs village sits along the same river that waters the rice paddies between the northern mountains of Aso. The entire hot springs area is designed seamlessly with nature, with each hilltop inn and connecting halls a separate annex that attaches to the next mountain hill.

A true symbol of Kumamoto, the Land of Fire, Mount Aso stands as one of Japan’s most iconic volcanic landscapes.
Located in the Aso region of Kumamoto Prefecture, Mount Aso is not a single peak but a series of mountains, including the five peaks known as "Aso Gogaku", which stretch east to west in a breathtaking mountain range. Broadly speaking, the term Mount Aso also encompasses the outer rim of the caldera and the vast crater basin that surrounds it.
While its majestic and powerful presence is a sight to behold, one of the most remarkable highlights of Mount Aso is the opportunity to visit its active crater, offering an up-close look at the raw force of nature.

It is a stroll garden with spring water that Tadatoshi, the first lord of the Hosokawa clan, created after building a teahouse here where subsoil water from the Aso Mountains gushed forth. Tsunatoshi, the third lord of the Hosokawa clan, later created a large-scale garden that was named "Jojuen" after a poem by Tao Yuanming.

Kumamon is the mascot of Kumamoto and cutely named as such the Prefecture’s Sales and Happiness Manager. You can find him all across Kumamoto, pointing out some of its best attractions. He’s so popular that Kumamon related merchandise is said to be reaching a cumulative total of 1 trillion yen. At this spot you’ll find the office of this amazing mascot, and if you time it just right, you might even get a chance to meet him.

Takachiho Gorge is a narrow v-shaped chasm made over thousands of years by the Gokase River’s erosion of Mt. Aso’s volcanic rock.
This spectacular place is surrounded by cliffs that average 80 meters in height (reaching up to 100 meters) and extend along for 7 kilometers.
Takachiho Gorge has been designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

This unique shrine sits inside a cave found along the cliffs facing the sea. The shrine is known for safe childbirth, children, marriage as well as property for fishermen and those headed out to sea.
Udo Shrine and its surrounding area are designated as a National Scenic Beauty.

Aoshima is a small island of 1.5km in circumference, which is connected with a 150m-long bridge to the main island. The whole island is Aoshima Shrine’s ground. As a holy island, no one was allowed to visit here. The whole premises are covered with areca trees and other sub-tropical plants in a very Miyazaki-like tropical scenery.

Amanoiwato Shrine in Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture enshrines the "Amanoiwato" - the cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu is believed to have hidden, a significant episode in Japanese mythology. About a 10-minute walk along the Iwato River from its Nishihonganji (West Main Shrine) will lead you to "Amanoyasukawara." This location is said to be where the eight million deities gathered to discuss how to coax Amaterasu out of the cave.

This botanical garden is filled with seasonal flowers and hosts events in every season. The grounds are beautifully maintained with lawns and various themed flower gardens. A wide range of plants are grown in the greenhouse, and gardening advice is available.

Located about 60km south-southwest of Cape Sata in Kagoshima Prefecture, Yakushima was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 1993. The island, with a circumference of 132km and an area of 505 square kilometers, is full of mountains over 1,000m high, including the highest peak in Kyushu, Miyanoura-dake, which is 1,936m high. 90% of the island is covered with forests, earning it the nickname "Alps on the Sea".

The city of Ibusuki, settled at its perch on the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture, is a destination brimming with hot springs and over 1,000 unique spring sources across the city. This unique geothermal area was once shaped by volcanic activity, remaining today as a hub for traditional hot spring baths and the globally rare "sand bath" found only in Ibusuki.

Kirishima-Jingu is a shrine that represents southern Kyushu. Founded in the 6th century, it boasts a deep and ancient history.
Kirishima-Jingu was transferred to its present location over 500 years ago, after repeatedly burning down and being rebuilt due to Mt. Kirishima’s eruptions.

Sakurajima is an active composite volcano located in Kagoshima Bay. It is a symbol of Kagoshima, and part of Kirishima-Yaku National Park. The volcano began to form around 26,000 years ago, and it has had 17 major eruptions. Sakurajima used to be an island, as its name suggests (shima means island), but the lava flow from the 1914 eruption filled the strait between Sakurajima and the mainland, connecting it to the Osumi Peninsula. Even in the present day, Sakurajima has small-scale eruptions nearly daily.

Sengan-en is a Japanese garden made for the Shimadzu family estate by Mitsuhisa Shimadzu in 1658. The grounds boast a sprawling 50,000 square meters in total.
The garden itself uses the “borrowed scenery” technique, incorporating Kagoshima’s coveted spots like the volcano Sakurajima and Kinko Bay as a natural backdrop. Chinese influences are dotted across the garden, nodding at the Shimadzu Family’s international influence and trade via the Ryukyu Kingdom.