※This article was published at September 2015※
Kyushu is popular with tourists from both within Japan and all across Asia. The region is made up of seven prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. With its abundant natural beauty and rich history, Kyushu has lots of amazing views and scenery on offer. Today I’m going to be introducing one unmissable spot in each of the region’s different prefectures!
Kawachi Fuji Garden (Fukuoka Prefecture, Kita-Kyushu City) [Best viewed in early May]
Kawachi Fuji Garden in Kita-Kyushu City was chosen by America’s CNN as one of “Japan’s 31 most beautiful places.” The sight of the wisteria flowers blooming in their full glory all across this vast plot is truly stunning. Especially worthy of note is the wisteria tunnel, made up of various different varieties of hanging wisteria that you can walk along underneath. The sweet scent of the flowers is wonderful!
Yutoku Inari Shrine (Kashima City, Saga Prefecture)
Along with Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine in Kyoto and Kasama Inari Shrine in Ibaraki, this shrine is one of Japan’s three great Inari shrines. It is the second-most visited attraction in Kyushu, after Dazaifu Tenmangu, with some three million visitors each year. The shrine is said to bring fortune in business and harvests. Set into the slope of the mountain, the main shrine is breathtaking--recently it was also used as the location for a Thai movie, and the number of visitors from Thailand has been increasing. The beautiful colors of the leaves in fall are also a wonderful sight.
Nighttime View from Mt Inasa (Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture)
With its many hills and mortar-like shape, Nagasaki is renowned for its stunning nighttime scenery. The view from Mount Inasa is one of Japan’s three great nighttime views, so much so that it’s known as “the ten million dollar view.” The mountain is reached via a ropeway, and the viewing platform, situated 333m above sea level, offers a 360-degree view.
Tenku no Michi (Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture)
The area around Mount Aso, an active volcano, is a popular tourist destination. There are several famous places there, but the one that’s been getting the most attention in recent years is a road called Tenku no Michi. Its official name is Kario Bokudo, but it’s widely known as Tenku no Michi—or Laputa no Michi—after the Hayao Miyazaki movie. It’s a beautiful road, and walking along it really gives the feeling of floating in the sky. When the foot of the road is shrouded in fog, the sight is even more mystical.
Matama Beach (Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture)
Matama Beach is the only place in Oita Prefecture where you can watch the sun sink into the horizon. Even at low tide some water remains, forming a tidal flat on which the orange of the setting sun reflects beautifully. The beach was selected as one of the top 100 sunset spots in Japan.
Takachiho Gorge (Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture)
Long ago, the pyroclastic flow caused by the eruption of Mount Aso caused the formation of the valleys of Takachiho Gorge, which has now been designated as a protected national monument. Manai Falls, which is selected as one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls, is symbolic of Takachiho Gorge. You can hire a boat to get directly underneath the falls. It is also a prominent area in Japanese mythology, and a wonderful place for seeing a lot of very “Japanese” scenery and events.
Sakurajima (Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture)
Situated in Kinkouwan Bay, the island of Sakurajima is a symbol of Kagoshima, and is an active volcano that still gives off smoke. A ferry that takes around 15 minutes runs 24 hours a day from Kagoshima City, allowing you to see the lava at the foot of Sakurajima, or go in the hot springs. The photo shows the view from Shiroyama Observatory Deck. It’s very impressive—a real must-see!
There are still lots more great viewing spots in Kyushu. Why not take a longer trip and find some more?
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