Kyushu Tour Packages and Vacations

Kyushu is Japan's third-largest and southernmost main island, shaped by a complex system of volcanic ranges and ancient cultural mythology. Globetrotters are treated to some of Japan's earliest history and stunning natural contrasts in Kyushu, from rolling fertile volcanic ranges to peaceful beaches and countryside. 

Most traveller’s journeys into Kyushu today begin in Fukuoka Prefecture, which serves as a gateway to the rest of Kyushu. Fukuoka City is renowned across Japan for having some of the country's best food, with tonkotsu ramen being especially popular. Fukuoka also hosts several festivals throughout the year, including Hakata Dotaku, Japan's largest festival. The most famous landmark in Fukuoka Prefecture is the ancient Dazaifu Tenmangu, a shrine dedicated to the spirit of the revered 9th century Japanese poet and scholar Michizane Sugawara. 

In the northeast, you'll discover the coastal city of Beppu, Japan's onsen capital. Beppu produces more hot spring water than any other city in Japan, offering an unmatched range of baths, from ordinary hot water baths to mud baths, sand baths, and steam baths. It’s the perfect destination for a rejuvenating Japanese wellness escape.  

Further inland is the town of Yufuin, another excellent onsen destination with a more rural appeal. The town, nestled in a flat river basin, is easily walkable and boasts a wealth of art museums, cafes, and boutiques, all framed by the twin-peaked Mt. Yufuin. 

In the southeast, Miyazaki Prefecture is celebrated for its beaches and coastal road trips. Adventurous globetrotters will enjoy spectacular surf breaks, the towering 17 m (56 ft) tall Manai Falls, and scenic hikes around active volcanic craters along the Ebino Plateau. Cultural enthusiasts, meanwhile, will appreciate Miyazaki's rich festival calendar and the Takachiho Shrine, built roughly 1,900 years ago. Nearby, you can take a rowboat through the spectacular Takachiho Gorge, an immersive volcanic canyon with a towering waterfall. But don't stop there. A short drive west into Kumamoto Prefecture will reveal Kumamoto Castle and plenty more traditional onsen.

Kagoshima Prefecture, on the southern tip of Kyushu, is renowned for its ancient forests, volcanic landscapes, subtropical climate, and lovely Kagoshima Bay, nicknamed the Naples of the East. Kagoshima City is easily accessible from the rest of Kyushu by rail, serving as your launch point to the ancient forests on Yakushima Island (Japan's first forest registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Tanegashima Space Centre (Japan's main rocket launchpad), and rich coral reefs around the Amami-Oshima Islands. 

Nagasaki reflects Kyushu's layered history. Nagasaki was Japan's historical gateway to the West, eventually becoming a hub of international trade in the 19th century before the city's infamous atomic bombing during WWII. Today, Nagasaki attracts travellers with unspoiled beaches and islands, including Tsushima Island, perfect for swimming, diving, and sea kayaking.