Kyushu is one of the islands that make up the Japanese archipelago and is located in the southwestern part of it.
There are seven prefectures on the mainland of Kyushu: Fukuoka prefecture, Saga prefecture, Nagasaki prefecture, Oita prefecture, Kumamoto prefecture, Miyazaki prefecture, and Kagoshima prefecture.
Eight prefectures, including Okinawa, an island in the south of Kyushu, are sometimes referred to as the Kyushu region.
Located in the southernmost part of the Japanese archipelago, the climate is mild and it does not snow much even in winter except in the highlands.
In particular, Okinawa Prefecture, the southernmost part of Japan, is close to Taiwan and has a climate close to everlasting summer.
The largest city is Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
The map of Kyushu is as follows.
As you can see from the map, Okinawa Prefecture is an island located far south of the mainland of Kyushu.
The charm of Kyushu
Kyushu is very popular both in Japan and as one of the travel destinations, and is an area with abundant tourism elements such as eating, seeing, and playing.
Each prefecture has its own characteristics, and there are many attractions such as sightseeing, gourmet food, and hot springs.
Kyushu is also the home of "pork bone ramen," which is popular with foreigners.
Let's take a look at the charm of Kyushu.
A treasure trove of delicious food
Each prefecture of Kyushu faces the sea, and there are abundant marine products. Unlike the northern seas such as Hokkaido and Tohoku, the fish species are also different.
In addition to seafood, livestock is popular, so there are plenty of delicious meats such as beef, pork, chicken, and horse meat.
In addition, noodles such as ramen, udon, and champon are also famous, and Kyushu can be said to be a gourmet paradise.
Let's look at each prefecture.
Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture has the largest population in Kyushu and is known as a gourmet prefecture famous in Japan.
Speaking of Fukuoka prefecture, it's ramen.
"Hakata Ramen" in Fukuoka City is famous, but Kurume and Kitakyushu ramen are also popular.
"Hakata Ramen" is a pork bone soup, which is characterized by its thin noodles and quick boiling.
You can replace the noodles by saying "replacement balls".
In addition to ramen, udon is also famous for noodles, and unlike Sanuki udon, it has a soft noodle.
In hot pot dishes, "motsunabe", which is made by boiling offal (hormone) and garlic chives in soy sauce-based soup, and "mizutaki," which is a traditional dish of making soup with whole chicken, are famous.
In addition, there are many other things such as "Spicy cod roe", which is made by soaking Alaska pollack eggs in chili pepper, "Tetsunabe dumplings", which is a small gyoza placed on a hot iron pan and served as it is, and "Sushi", which uses Genkai-nada fish. There are many delicious foods.
"Hakata Ramen" in Fukuoka Prefecture
Saga Prefecture
Yobuko-cho's specialty dish, which is made from fresh squid grown in the rough seas of the Genkai Sea.
"Creating squid life" is very famous.
Many tourists from all over Japan visit Yobuko-cho because the fresh natural squid is quickly cooked and served on a plate, which is characterized by the clear beauty of the squid.
In addition, Japan's top-class Japanese beef brand "Saga beef" is only offered in the highest rank that has cleared strict standards.
"Ikizukuri of squid" in Saga Prefecture
Nagasaki Prefecture
Speaking of Nagasaki's specialty, "Champon" with pork bone-based soup, thick noodles, and plenty of vegetables is famous.
Using plenty of vegetables, seafood, and pork as ingredients, it is a healthy dish that is satisfying to eat, making it a representative dish of Nagasaki Prefecture.
For noodles, in addition to "Champon", "Sara udon", which uses plenty of vegetables, pork, and seafood, and a slightly sweet soup thickened with potato starch, is firmly entwined with the noodles and vegetables, for over 1000 years The historical "Goto Udon" is also famous.
In addition, Nagasaki's banquet dish "Shippoku", handmade hamburger "Sasebo Burger", and Nagasaki's local gourmet "Turkish rice" with pilaf, spaghetti and pork cutlet are famous.
"Champon" in Nagasaki Prefecture
Oita Prefecture
Oita Prefecture is famous for chicken dishes, with chicken consumption being the highest in Japan.
Among them, "Nakatsu Karaage" in Nakatsu City, where there are specialty stores that sell only karaage, is famous all over the country.
In addition, the chicken tempura "Toriten", which is cut into bite-sized pieces and fried, can be eaten at restaurants, set meal shops, coffee shops, Chinese restaurants, bento shops, etc.
In seafood, "Seki Saba" and "Seki Aji" from the Bungo Channel are famous as national brands.
In addition, the local dish "Ryukyu", in which seasonal fish fillets such as mackerel, horse mackerel, and yellowtail are soaked in salty sauce and spiced with condiments, is also well known.
In addition, Beppu's unique dish "Hell steamed" that is steamed and eaten using the hot spring steam, "Hida Yakisoba" that grills noodles over high heat until the surface becomes crispy and finishes with the secret sauce of each store, Oita Prefecture The local soup "dango-jiru" is famous.
"Karaage from Nakatsu" in Oita Prefecture
Kumamoto Prefecture
"Basashi" is famous for eating thinly sliced raw horse meat with sliced onions, grated ginger, garlic and other spices with sweet soy sauce.
Other famous meats are "Aka beef", which is grazing in the magnificent Aso pasture and has delicious lean meat, and "Amakusa Daiou", which is one of the largest chickens in Japan and has a good reputation for its deliciousness and meat quality.
The pork bone soup "Kumamoto ramen" is also famous, and compared to "Hakata ramen", the soup is thicker, the noodles are thicker, and it can be topped with mer oil (fried garlic oil) and fried garlic. It is a feature.
In addition to the noodles, Kumamoto Prefecture's local dish "Taipien" is famous, where you can eat boiled eggs with seasonal vegetables such as pork, shrimp, squid, cabbage, and carrots in the returned vermicelli with chicken bones and pork bone soup.
In addition, the local dish "Karashinkon", which is a mixture of miso and mustard stuffed in the holes of the boiled lotus root, put on a garment and fried in oil, and dumplings made from wheat flour with seasonal vegetables and meat, etc. The soup "dago soup" seasoned with soy sauce or miso is famous.
"Basashi" in Kumamoto Prefecture
Miyazaki prefecture
As in Oita prefecture, there are abundant chicken dishes, and the nationally famous local dish "Chicken Nanban" is famous, where you fried battered chicken, entwined it with sweet and sour sauce in a hot place, and sprinkled it with tartar sauce.
Another famous chicken dish is the charcoal-grilled chicken thigh, which is seasoned with salt and pepper and grilled over charcoal.
"Hiyajiru" is a local dish that represents Miyazaki prefecture. ..
Other famous dishes include "meat-rolled onigiri," which is made by wrapping thin slices of pork soaked in sauce and baking it, and "spicy noodles," which is a soup that mixes the flavor and spiciness of a large amount of garlic and chili peppers.
"Chicken Nanban" in Miyazaki Prefecture
Kagoshima prefecture
Kagoshima Prefecture, which is famous for its delicious meat, is famous for its "black pork dishes."
Black pork raised with special sweet potatoes is characterized by its crispy and tender meat quality, which enhances the taste and sweetness of the meat, and offers a variety of black pork dishes such as shabu-shabu, pork cutlet, and black pork stew. You can enjoy it.
There are also abundant seafood, small fish of the family Clupeidae with a silver blue stripe pattern "Kibinago", Makurazaki City's national specialty "bonito", fried food dish using fish paste and vegetables "Satsumaage" Is famous.
In addition, "Kagoshima Ramen", a semi-turbid soup that uses pork bones as a base and also uses chicken stock, vegetables, boiled dried kelp, kelp, steamed chicken, broth eggs, sweet and spicy shiitake mushrooms, pickled papaya, and seasonings for rice. "Chicken rice", which is eaten with soup stock, is famous.
"Black pig shabu-shabu" in Kagoshima prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture
The specialty is "Soki soba (Okinawa soba)," which is a combination of pork bones and bonito-based soup stock, topped with pork meat, onions, and kamaboko.
“Goya Chanpuru”, which is a stir-fried summer vegetable bitter gourd that represents Okinawa, island tofu, and pork, is also a local dish that represents Okinawa Prefecture.
In addition, the soup dish "goat soup", which is made by boiling goat meat in water or foam for a long time, the local dish "rafute", which uses three pieces of pork skin, and the Okinawan-style cooked rice "juicy" are famous. is.
"Soki Soba" in Okinawa Prefecture
Lots of sightseeing spots to see
Kyushu is a relatively warm area in Japan, and all prefectures face the sea, and there are plenty of leisure spots that take advantage of the characteristics of scenic spots, such as the sea and mountains with abundant nature.
Let's look at each prefecture.
Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka, the largest city in Kyushu, is a prefecture where you can enjoy nature as well as the charm of the city.
The attractions of the city are Kyushu's landmark "JR Hakata City" in Fukuoka City, Japan's first openable roof baseball stadium "Fukuoka PayPay Dome", and the underground town "Tenjin Underground Town" that imaged the streets of 19th century Europe. The complex commercial facility "Canal City Hakata" is famous.
Among the cultural facilities, the "Kyushu National Museum", which is the fourth national museum after Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara, and the "Kitakyushu City Lifetime Museum", where a life-sized whole body skeleton of dinosaurs are exhibited, are famous.
At temples and shrines, "Dazaifu Tenmangu" is famous as the god of learning, and "Kushida Shrine" is famous for Hakata Gion Yamakasa.
There are "Miyajidake Shrine", the god of business prosperity, traffic safety, and family safety, and "Munakata Taisha", a total of about 6,200 companies nationwide that enshrine the god of Munakata.
Leisure spots include "Uminonakamichi Seaside Park", "Ohori Park" in the center of Fukuoka City, "Fukuoka City Zoological Garden" which is also a famous place for cherry blossoms, and "Mojiko" where buildings built from the early Meiji era to the Taisho era are lined up. "Retro" is famous.
The last thing I would definitely recommend is the "stalls" in Fukuoka City.
"Stalls" are one of the most popular specialties due to the large number of menus, delicious food, and easy-to-eat atmosphere. Most of the menus are Hakata ramen, which is famous all over the country, but there are also oden and teppanyaki. You can enjoy various dishes such as tempura, yakitori, gyoza, and hormones.
"Stalls" in Fukuoka Prefecture
Saga Prefecture
Next to Fukuoka prefecture, Saga prefecture is one of the smallest prefectures in Japan and has many scenic spots.
As scenic spots, "Nanatsugama" has seven sea caves formed by the basalt forming columnar joints being eroded by the rough waves of the Genkai Sea, and "Niji no Matsubara", one of Japan's three major Matsubara pine forests, which is about 4 km long. , Part of the Genkai Quasi-National Park "Cape Hado", and "Tenzan" where you can see the wonderful scenery of the Saga Plain and the Ariake Sea are famous.
The historic site is famous for the Yoshinogari Historical Park, which is a restored Yoshinogari in the latter half of the Yayoi period.
In addition, there are also "Yutoku Inari Shrine", one of Japan's three major morning markets, "Yutoku Inari Shrine", one of Japan's three major morning markets, and Kyushu's largest outlet center "Torisu Premium Outlets", which has about 170 stores of famous domestic and overseas brands. It is famous.
"Nanatsugama" in Saga Prefecture
Nagasaki Prefecture
Nagasaki Prefecture has Dejima, which was the only window open to overseas during the isolation period of Japan, and there are many spots full of exoticism such as Western culture and Christian culture.
As for Western culture and Christian cultural spots, "Dejima", which was the only window opened overseas during the isolation period, "Glover Garden", the former residence of British merchant Glover and Ringer, is the most surviving spot in Japan. The ancient cathedral "Oura Catholic Church" is famous.
In addition, in Nagasaki, the area of the atomic bombing, the "Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum", which collects and displays photographs and materials showing the devastation of the atomic bombing, has a vow to never repeat a tragic war and a wish for world peace. The "Peace Park" that was created and the "Peace Memorial Statue" in that "Peace Park" are famous.
In addition, Hashima (Gunkanjima), a world cultural heritage on the former submarine coalfield island, Inasayama, which overlooks Japan's three major night views, and Huis Ten Bosch and Nagasaki Biopark are famous theme parks.
"Oura Church" in Nagasaki Prefecture
Oita Prefecture
Oita Prefecture is said to be a hot spring prefecture, and there are many hot springs and many tourist spots related to hot springs.
The famous one is a tour of seven hells (hot springs) called "Hell Tour".
The "hell" of "Beppu Jigoku" is a hot spring outlet that has been erupting for more than 1,000 years and emits fumes and hot mud at around 100 ° C. It is a "sea hell" in Beppu city. , "Oniishi Hell", "Oniyama Hell", "Shiraike Hell", "Blood Pond Hell", "Tatsumaki Hell" are collectively called Beppu Hell. I call.
Among them, "Umi Hell", "Shiraike Hell", "Blood Pond Hell", and "Tatsumaki Hell" have been selected as nationally designated scenic spots.
In addition, there are many ingenuity to make you feel close to the sea creatures, "Oita Marine Palace Aquarium (Umitamago)", "Sanrio Character Park Harmony Land" where you can meet Hello Kitty, My Melody and other Sanrio friends. , Japan's largest safari park "Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari" spread over a vast grassland is famous.
"Blood Pond Hell" in Oita Prefecture
Kumamoto Prefecture
The active volcano "Mt. Aso", which has one of the largest calderas in the world, is famous.
Aso is a symbol of Kumamoto, the land of fire, and Mt. Neko (1,433m), Mt. Nakadake (1,506m), Mt. Eboshi (1,337m), and Mt. Kishima (1,321m) are connected to Mt. , The outer ring mountain that surrounds the crater at a height of almost 900m is a first-class landscape.
In addition, there are many hot springs in the Aso area.
In Kumamoto City, "Kumamoto Castle", one of Japan's three most famous castles, is famous nationwide.
Famous for its 90,000 tons per day, "Shirakawa Water Source", one of the 100 best waters in Japan, "Kikuchi Gorge" with a spectacular view of various waterfalls and waterfalls woven by mountain streams, and "Amakusa" where you can watch dolphins. is.
"Mt. Aso" in Kumamoto Prefecture
Miyazaki prefecture
The scenic spots of the sea and mountains are famous.
In the scenic spots of the mountains, the gorge formed by erosion of Aso lava is famous for the "Takachiho Gorge", which has cliffs of 100m at high altitude and an average of 80m for 7km.
Also, near "Takachiho Gorge", "Amanoyasukawara" where there is a legend that eight million gods gathered and consulted, "Takachiho Shrine" where there is an Inokake festival that is said to be the beginning of Kagura, and precious in the ancient Takachiho region The "Amanoyasu Shrine", which has a micro-old building displaying about 2.000 materials, is also famous.
Among the scenic spots of the sea, "Qingdao" surrounded by wavy rocks called demon washing boards and "Nichinan Kaigan", a nationally designated park with a beautiful horizon that extends forever, are famous.
In addition, the natural monument "Cape Toi", a habitat for wild horses, and "Udo Shrine", which is famous for throwing untama and Shanshan horses, are famous.
"Takachiho Gorge" in Miyazaki Prefecture
Kagoshima prefecture
"Sakurajima", which is said to be the symbol of Kagoshima, is famous.
"Sakurajima" is a complex active volcano that borders Mt. Kitadake, Mt. Nakadake, and Mt. Minamidake, and many records of eruptions have been recorded since ancient times.
Its power that rises in the sea is popular as a tourist destination, and it has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Geological Selections and 16 Specific Volcanoes.
Although it is a remote island, "Yakushima", also known as the Offshore Alps, is also a popular spot because of the beautiful mountain beauty and coastal beauty of Mt. Miyanoura, the highest peak in Kyushu, and the virgin forest of Yakusugi.
In addition, the Chiran Special Attack Peace Museum, which displays materials related to the special attack operations at the end of the Pacific War, the old shrine Kirishima Jingu, which was founded by Kamidai, and the Ibusuki specialty natural sand bath (sand bath) facility, "Sand." "Mushi Kaikan (Saraku)" is famous.
"Sakurajima" in Kagoshima Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture has a warm climate and beautiful sea, making it one of the leading tourist spots in Japan.
Not only the main island of Okinawa, but also remote islands with beautiful seas are very popular.
Popular remote islands are the main island of the Yaeyama Islands, Ishigaki Island, a base for sightseeing in Yaeyama, Kouri Island, a mysterious island where the legend of human origin remains, Taketomi Island, which retains the appearance of old Okinawa, and a special natural memorial. Iriomote Island, the habitat of Iriomote Yamaneko, and Hateruma Island, the southernmost island in Japan, are famous as manned islands.
In addition, "Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium" where the magnificent world of Okinawa full of mystery spreads, "Kaiyohaku Park" which used the site of the Okinawa International Ocean Expo, and the main street of Naha where the prefectural office is located " "Kokusai-dori" is famous.
"Ishigaki Island" in Okinawa Prefecture
Kyushu is a hot spring paradise
Kyushu has many active volcanoes such as Mt. Aso, Mt. Unzen, and Sakurajima, including Beppu City in Oita Prefecture, which is said to be the best hot spring resort in Japan, and thanks to that, there are many hot spring resorts.
Kyushu is truly a hot spring paradise.
Let's look at each prefecture.
Fukuoka Prefecture
The quiet hot spring area "Harazuru Onsen" on the banks of the Chikugo River, which is close to Fukuoka city, the small hot spring town "Chikugogawa Onsen" in the middle of the Chikugo River, and the idyllic hot spring town "Funagoya Onsen" adjacent to the Yabe River Etc. are famous.
Saga Prefecture
The famous hot spring "Ureshino Onsen", which boasts a history of 1200 years and is also known as one of Japan's three most beautiful skin hot springs, and "Takeo Onsen", which is one of Saga's famous hot springs with a red-painted tower gate as a symbol, was discovered 2200 years ago. "Furuyu Onsen", which is said to be tattooed, is famous.
Nagasaki Prefecture
The milky white sulfur spring "Unzen Onsen" that springs at an altitude of 700 m, the hot spring area "Ohama Onsen" that sets in the setting sun and the steam, and the hot spring "Shimabara Onsen" that springs in the castle town that prospered around Shimabara Castle are famous.
Oita Prefecture
There are many hot spring areas just because it is called a hot spring prefecture.
"Hamawaki Onsen," "Beppu Onsen," "Kankaiji Onsen," "Horita Onsen," "Myoban Onsen," "Tetsuwa Onsen," "Shibaseki Onsen," and "Kamegawa Onsen," which are said to be Beppu Hachiyu in Beppu City alone. There are eight hot spring villages such as, and there are many other hot springs in the city.
In addition to Beppu City, Japan's number one carbonated hot spring "Nagayu Onsen", the fantastic hot spring town "Yufuin Onsen" where the morning mist peculiar to the basin can be found, the hot spring area "Sujiyu Onsen" that springs in the idyllic mountain village surrounded by the Kuju mountain range, Kawagishi There are many famous hot springs such as "Amagase Onsen", an old hot spring in the mountain village where the hot springs rise.
Kumamoto Prefecture
The hot spring town "Kurokawa Onsen" in the mountains of Mt. Aso Sotowa is famous.
In the Aso area, the 800-year-old hot spring area "Tsuetate Onsen", the hot spring area "Uchimaki Onsen" surrounded by magnificent nature, and the cloudy hot spring "Jigoku Onsen" are famous.
In addition to the Aso area, "Yamaga Onsen", "Hirayama Onsen", and "Hitoyoshi Onsen" are famous.
Miyazaki prefecture
Famous are "Amanoiwato Onsen" in the Iwato area where the myth of Tensho Ogami remains, "Yunomoto Onsen" which is also known as cider hot spring with carbonated iron spring, and "Qingdao Onsen" in Aoshima, a tourist spot that represents Miyazaki.
Kagoshima prefecture
Kirishima Onsen, a hot spring resort spread over Mt. Takachiho in the Kirishima mountain range, Ibusuki Onsen, which is famous for its sunamushi hot springs, and Myoken Onsen, which is popular for its highly effective hot springs and peaceful atmosphere, are famous.
Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture does not have the image of a hot spring, but on the main island there are "Ryukyu Onsen" and "Miejo Onsen".
"Miyakojima Onsen" is famous on remote islands.
Kyushu is the warmest area in Japan and is an area where you can enjoy sightseeing all year round.
The food is delicious and the hot springs are abundant, making it a popular tourist spot in Japan.
Why don't you visit Kyushu as well