Kyushu Travel Guide | Top 20 Recommended Attractions in Kyushu
Kyushu has always been one of Japan's most beloved travel destinations. Its dramatic natural wonders, incredible culinary scene, renowned onsen hot springs, rich history and culture, and unique JR sightseeing trains give the island a distinct personality, making it a favorite for independent travelers worldwide.
Today, I'm sharing the top 20 must-visit attractions and experiences for traveling across Kyushu, along with a custom Google Map. Consider this your essential travel cheat sheet—guaranteed to make planning your Kyushu journey effortless and unforgettable!
(Kyushu is enormous, and it boasts far more fantastic sights than I ever expected. On my first trip, I stayed for an entire month—and I still felt like I had barely scratched the surface!)
◎ Kyushu Top Attractions at a Glance
| Attraction | Highlights | Prefecture | Suggested Time | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beppu Hells | Seven surreal geothermal hot spring spectacles | Oita | Half day | Nature |
| Huis Ten Bosch | Dutch-themed amusement park with stunning night illuminations | Nagasaki | Full day | Theme Park |
| Dazaifu Tenmangu | Fukuoka's iconic head shrine dedicated to the deity of learning | Fukuoka | Half day | Shrine |
| Yufuin | Charming onsen town famous for Lake Kinrin, art, and cafes | Oita | Full day | Hot Spring |
| Canal City Hakata | Mega shopping complex with fountain light shows and dining | Fukuoka | 2–3 hours | Shopping |
| Kujukushima | Scenic seascape of over 200 islands navigated by sightseeing cruise | Nagasaki | Half day | Nature |
| Takachiho Gorge | Mythological gorge with cascading waterfalls and rowboat rentals | Miyazaki | Half to full day | Nature |
| Yanagawa | Water town canal punting cruises and steamed eel delicacies | Fukuoka | Half to full day | Culture |
| Sakurajima | Active volcano landmark with smoking craters and volcanic ash views | Kagoshima | Half to full day | Nature |
| Ibusuki Onsen | Unique natural geothermal sand-steaming on the coast | Kagoshima | 1–2 hours | Hot Spring |
| Mount Aso | One of the world's largest volcanic calderas | Kumamoto | Half to full day | Nature |
| Mojiko Retro | Kitakyushu's nostalgic port town with Meiji-era architecture | Fukuoka | Half to full day | Urban |
| Yakushima | UNESCO World Heritage island with ancient cedar forests | Kagoshima | 2-day trip | Nature |
| Kumamoto Castle | One of Japan's top three castles and a symbol of Kyushu | Kumamoto | 1–2 hours | Heritage |
| Mount Inasa Night View | Observatory overlooking Nagasaki harbor's world-famous night skyline | Nagasaki | 1–2 hours | Night View |
| Gunkanjima (Hashima) | Abandoned coal-mining island ruin, now a UNESCO World Heritage site | Nagasaki | 2–3 hours | Heritage |
| Kurokawa Onsen | Secluded mountain hot spring village offering wooden bath-pass roamin | Kumamoto | Half to full day | Hot Spring |
| Udo Shrine | Cliffside shrine and torii gates built directly inside a sea cave | Miyazaki | 1 hour | Shrine |
| Kokura | Historic castle town with local markets and vibrant shopping arcades | Fukuoka | 2–3 hours | Urban |
| Mount Tsurumi | Scenic mountain reached via ropeway, featuring diverse seasonal views | Oita | 2–3 hours | Nature |
1. Beppu Hells (Jigoku Meguri)
Kyushu's Beppu yields the highest volume of geothermal hot spring water in all of Japan. Among its countless springs, seven dramatic geothermal vents are too hot for bathing and intended solely for viewing—collectively celebrated as the Seven Hells of Beppu. Convenient multi-attraction combo passes are available, allowing you to easily witness bubbling mud pots, cobalt blue thermal ponds, and steaming geysers all in one day. It is an absolute must-visit landmark in Kyushu!
◎ Address: Kannawa, Sea Hell, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan
◎ Admission: Individual Hell: ¥500; 7-in-1 Combo Pass: ¥2,400
◎ Transportation: From Beppu Station, take bus No. 2, 5, 24, or 41 and get off at "Umijigoku-mae" (Beppu Transportation | Car Rental)
◎ Recommended Tours: Beppu 1-Day Bus Pass | Beppu Hells Combo Ticket | Beppu Hells Day Tour | Kyushu Beppu Chartered Car Tour
◎ Travelogue: Beppu Hells
◎ Official Website: Kyushu Beppu Hells
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Beppu Accommodations)
(My personal favorites among the hells are Umi Jigoku [Sea Hell] and Kamado Jigoku [Cooking Pot Hell]. Not only are the geothermal landscapes striking, but there are also unique onsen-steamed snacks to savor. If your time is limited, head straight to these two!)
2. Huis Ten Bosch
Often ranked alongside Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan as one of Japan's major theme park destinations, Huis Ten Bosch is easily the most popular and highly recommended resort amusement park in Kyushu. Faithfully recreating a medieval Dutch townscape surrounded by canals and windmills, it feels just like stepping into Europe. Make sure to stay through the evening to catch the world-class night illuminations and seasonal fireworks displays!
◎ Address: 1-1 Huis Ten Bosch-machi, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
◎ Admission: 1-Day Passport: Adults ¥7,600; Children ¥5,000
◎ Transportation: Take the JR train to "Huis Ten Bosch" Station and walk about 3 minutes (JR PASS | Car Rental)
◎ Discount Tickets: Huis Ten Bosch Admission & 1-Day Passport | Kyushu Huis Ten Bosch Discount Tickets
◎ Travelogue: Huis Ten Bosch
◎ Official Website: Kyushu Huis Ten Bosch (Huis Ten Bosch)
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking | Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Recommended Nagasaki Hotels)
(Beyond being an essential Kyushu attraction, Nagasaki's Huis Ten Bosch is a frequent filming location for movies, dramas, and commercials thanks to its picturesque scenery. Every single corner makes for a perfect photo!)
3. Dazaifu Tenmangu
Located in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Dazaifu Tenmangu serves as the grand head shrine for more than 12,000 Tenmangu shrines across Japan. It enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, revered as the patron deity of scholarship, culture, and the arts, drawing hordes of students every year praying for academic success. The bustling Omotesando approach outside the shrine—packed with treats like hot Umegae Mochi, a famous designer wooden Starbucks, Ichiran Ramen, and Danbo Ramen—is equally irresistible for visitors!
◎ Address: 4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan
◎ Transportation: From Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station, take the Omuta Line to Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Station, then transfer to the Dazaifu Line to Dazaifu Station (Dazaifu Transportation | Car Rental)
◎ Recommended Tours: Dazaifu & Yanagawa Sightseeing Ticket | Dazaifu Tenmangu & Oita Day Tour
◎ Travelogue: Dazaifu Tenmangu
◎ Official Website: Dazaifu Tenmangu
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Fukuoka Accommodations)
4. Yufuin (Yufuin Onsen)
Kyushu has always been celebrated for top-tier onsen hot springs, and Yufuin (Yufuin Onsen) is undoubtedly the crown jewel among them. Surrounded by idyllic mountain landscapes, celebrated traditional ryokans, artisanal boutique lanes, fairy-tale village shops, and the ever-mystical Lake Kinrin changing with the seasons, Yufuin consistently ranks as the number-one dream getaway for Japanese travelers. It is an experience you simply cannot miss in Kyushu!
◎ Address: Lake Kinrin, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, Japan
◎ Transportation: Take the JR limited express train (such as Yufuin no Mori) to "Yufuin" Station (Yufuin Transportation | Car Rental)
◎ Recommended Tours: Yufuin & Beppu Day Tour | Fukuoka & Oita Day Tour
◎ Travelogue: Kyushu Yufuin
◎ Official Website: Yufuin Lake Kinrin
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Oita Accommodations)
5. Canal City Hakata
Canal City Hakata stands as the undisputed shopping and entertainment capital of Fukuoka. This immense multi-complex houses cinemas, gaming zones, hotels, designer boutiques, souvenir emporiums, and endless gourmet dining spots. Best of all, a 180-meter canal flows right through the central plaza, where thrilling 3D water fountain projection shows bring the entire mall to life throughout the day and evening!
◎ Address: 1-2 Sumiyoshi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Kyushu
◎ Transportation: Take the Fukuoka City Subway to "Gion Station" or "Kushida Shrine Station" (Transit Guide | Fukuoka Car Rental)
◎ Official Website: Canal City Hakata
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Nagasaki Accommodations)
(If you love shopping and food adventures, don't miss the open-air food stalls at Nakasu Yatai and the sprawling Tenjin Underground Shopping Mall nearby—both top-tier Fukuoka Attractions!)
6. Kujukushima (99 Islands)
Situated in Nagasaki, the Kujukushima archipelago is one of Kyushu's most magnificent natural spectacles, officially recognized among the 100 Landscapes of Japan. Visitors can hop aboard the Kujukushima Sightseeing Cruise to weave intimately among uninhabited emerald isles. To take in the grandeur from above, head up to the nearby mountain lookouts for sweeping, jaw-dropping panoramic views!
◎ Address: Kashimae-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan (Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort)
◎ Transportation: Take a local bus from JR Sasebo Station to "Kujukushima Aquarium" (Kujukushima Transportation | Car Rental)
◎ Discount Tickets: Cruise & Aquarium Combo Ticket | Kujukushima Cruise Tickets
◎ Travelogue: Kujukushima
◎ Official Website: Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Nagasaki Accommodations)
(There are several famous vantage points across Kujukushima, including Tenkaiho Observatory, Ishidake Observatory, and Yumiharidake Observatory, each offering incredible angles over the bay.)
7. Takachiho Gorge
Takachiho Gorge is a breathtaking natural wonder hidden deep in the mountains of Miyazaki, carved out over millennia through volcanic basalt erosion. Aside from marveling at the famous Manai Falls cascading directly into the emerald river, you can explore surrounding spiritual treasures such as Kunimigaoka, Aratate Shrine, Amano Iwato Shrine, and Amano Yasukawara. Deeply tied to Shinto creation legends, it is an extraordinary place to immerse yourself in classical Japanese mythology!
◎ Address: Mukoyama, Takachiho Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan
◎ Transportation: Take JR to Kumamoto Station or Nobeoka Station, then transfer to a local bus heading to Takachiho (Takachiho Gorge Transportation | Car Rental)
◎ Recommended Tours: Takachiho Gorge, Shirakawa Source & Amano Iwato Shrine | Miyazaki Day Tour | Takachiho Gorge Day Tour
◎ Travelogue: Takachiho Gorge
◎ Official Website: Kyushu Takachiho Gorge
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Miyazaki Accommodations)
8. Yanagawa
Known affectionately as the "Venice of Japan," Yanagawa in Fukuoka is renowned for its enchanting waterways. Gliding aboard a traditional flat-bottomed "donkobune" punt guided by a skilled boatman singing folk songs, you'll float past willow-lined banks and historic Meiji-era estates. While you're here, don't miss Yanagawa's signature specialty: piping-hot steamed unagi (eel rice) served in traditional lacquered boxes!
◎ Address: 329 Takahata, Mitsuhashi-machi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture (Shogetsu Boarding Point)
◎ Transportation: Take the Nishitetsu train to "Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station" (Yanagawa Transportation | Car Rental)
◎ Recommended Tours: Dazaifu & Yanagawa Sightseeing Ticket | Yanagawa City & Tosu Day Tour
◎ Travelogue: Kyushu Yanagawa
◎ Official Website: Yanagawa City Tourism Association
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Fukuoka Accommodations)
9. Sakurajima
Sakurajima is the quintessential symbol of Kagoshima and one of the world's most active volcanoes, puffing plumes of volcanic smoke almost daily. Travelers can take a short, scenic 15-minute ferry across the bay and hop on local island loop buses to visit popular lookouts like Yunohira Observatory and Arimura Lava Observatory. You can even soak your feet in oceanfront free outdoor footbaths while gazing at the majestic mountain!
◎ Address: Sakurajima Akamizu-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
◎ Transportation: Take the Sakurajima Ferry from Kagoshima Port to Sakurajima Ferry Terminal
◎ Official Website: Kyushu Kagoshima Tourism Alliance
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Recommended Accommodations)
10. Ibusuki Onsen
Unlike ordinary hot spring baths across Japan, Ibusuki Onsen is internationally celebrated for its geothermal sand steaming (Sunamushi). You are completely buried up to your neck in warm, mineral-rich coastal sand heated by subterranean hot spring waters, sweating out toxins while listening to the soothing waves crash nearby. Medical studies have shown that sand steaming delivers three to four times the health and circulatory benefits of standard onsen bathing!
◎ Address: Junicho, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
◎ Transportation: Take the JR train to JR Ibusuki Station, followed by a short bus ride or walk (JR PASS | Car Rental)
◎ Official Website: Kyushu Ibusuki City Tourism Division
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Kagoshima Accommodations)
11. Mount Aso
Mount Aso refers to the massive volcanic cluster situated in central Kyushu—the very reason why Kumamoto is proudly nicknamed the "Land of Fire." Its most captivating highlights include the steaming Nakadake Crater, the perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone of Komezuka, and the boundless green meadows of Kusasenri. Standing before the raw power of an active crater surrounded by expansive grasslands is an indelible Kyushu experience!
◎ Address: Takawara, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
◎ Transportation: Take the direct Kyushu Odan Bus, or take JR to Aso Station and transfer to an Aso Crater Line bus (Transit Guide | Car Rental)
◎ Recommended Tours: Mt. Aso Day Tour | Mt. Aso & Kurokawa Onsen | Mt. Aso & Kumamoto Day Tour
◎ Official Website: Kyushu Mt. Aso
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Kumamoto Accommodations)
(While the ropeway directly leading to the crater rim was dismantled after the Kumamoto earthquake, visitors can still ascend toward the summit via road shuttle, car, or scenic sightseeing helicopter.)
12. Mojiko Retro
Perched on the northern tip of Kyushu, Mojiko opened in the late 19th century and quickly grew into one of Japan's Top Three International Trading Ports. Today, it carefully preserves grand Western trading houses, historical brick buildings, banks, and maritime customs offices. Since it sits right across the Kanmon Straits from Honshu, you can easily walk through the undersea tunnel or take a 5-minute ferry to Shimonoseki (where the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed), making this an outstanding dual-region day trip!
◎ Address: 9 Minatomachi, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture
◎ Transportation: Take JR to "Mojiko Station" and explore on foot (JR PASS | Car Rental)
◎ Official Website: Kyushu Mojiko Retro
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Fukuoka Accommodations)
(Key highlights around Mojiko include the Mojiko Retro Observation Room, Old Osaka Shosen Building, Old Moji Customs, and the Kyushu Railway History Museum. Stroll through the seaside plaza, snap photos with the Banana Man statue, watch the Blue Wing Moji drawbridge open, and savor authentic baked curry [Yaki Curry]!)
13. Yakushima
Yakushima gained worldwide fame as the pristine environmental inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli masterpiece Princess Mononoke. Floating off the southern coast of Kyushu, it preserves a primeval ecosystem and became one of Japan's very first UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites. Known poetically as the "Island of Ancient Forest and Water," Yakushima is the ultimate pilgrimage for nature lovers.
◎ Address: Yakushima-cho, Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
◎ Transportation: Take a high-speed hydrofoil or car ferry from Kagoshima Port to Miyanoura Port or Anbo Port (Ferry Guide)
◎ Travelogue: Yakushima
◎ Official Website: Yakushima Tourism Association
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Kagoshima Accommodations)
(Yakushima is a treasure trove of raw nature: the millennium-old Jomon Sugi cedar, Senpiro Falls, Oko Falls, and the mossy ravines of Shiratani Unsuikyo will make you feel like forest spirits might peek out at any second!)
14. Kumamoto Castle
Constructed in 1607 utilizing the era's most ingenious military engineering and masons, Kumamoto Castle is revered as one of Japan's Top Three Castles. Covering an expansive 980,000 square meters on a hill overlooking downtown Kumamoto, its grand keeps and ramparts are designated Important Cultural Properties. Despite sustaining significant damage during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, thorough restoration efforts have steadily brought this legendary fortress back to its full glory!
◎ Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
◎ Admission: Adults (high school and above) ¥500; Children (elementary & junior high) ¥200
◎ Transportation: Take the Kumamoto City Tram to "Kumamotojo / City Hall" station
◎ Recommended Tours: Kumamoto Castle & Kurokawa Onsen Tour | Mt. Aso & Kumamoto Day Tour | Kumamoto Day Tour
◎ Official Website: Kyushu Kumamoto Castle
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Kumamoto Accommodations)
(Kumamoto Castle is also nicknamed "Ginkgo Castle." When warlord Kato Kiyomasa built it, he proactively prepared for sieges by planting ginkgo trees and weaving dried taro stalks into tatami floor mats so defenders would have edible emergency rations!)
15. Mount Inasa Night View
The night view from Mount Inasa is celebrated as a "Ten-Million-Dollar Nightscape," ranked alongside Hakodate and Kobe's Mount Maya as one of Japan's Top Three Night Views (and among the World's New Top Three Night Views). Riding the sleek ropeway up to the summit observation deck rewards you with a dazzling 360-degree vista over Nagasaki harbor, making it an essential photography stop in Kyushu!
◎ Address: 364 Inasamachi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture (Mount Inasa Summit Observation Deck)
◎ Transportation: Take Bus No. 5 directly to "Inasayama", or take Bus No. 3/4 to "Ropeway-mae" and transfer to the Nagasaki Ropeway (SUNQ PASS | Car Rental)
◎ Recommended Tours: Nagasaki Day Tour
◎ Official Website: Kyushu Mt. Inasa Park
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Nagasaki Accommodations)
16. Gunkanjima (Hashima Island)
Gunkanjima (Battleship Island), officially named Hashima, sits off the coast of Nagasaki and earned its nickname due to its silhouette resembling a battleship. During Japan's industrial revolution, it thrived as an ultra-dense undersea coal-mining community with the highest population density recorded on Earth. Following the mine's closure, it turned into an uninhabited ghost island overnight. Today, its decaying concrete apartment ruins stand frozen in time, offering an evocative window into industrial history as a UNESCO World Heritage site!
◎ Address: Hashima, Takashimamachi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
◎ Transportation: Take a licensed tour boat from Nagasaki Port to Hashima (Gunkanjima Access Guide)
◎ Recommended Tours: Gunkanjima Cruise | Gunkanjima Landing Tour
◎ Travelogue: Gunkanjima
◎ Official Website: Kyushu Gunkanjima (Hashima)
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Nagasaki Accommodations)
(In its heyday, Gunkanjima boasted astonishing statistics, including near 100% television penetration and Japan's first reinforced concrete high-rises and rooftop gardens. Packed into that tiny rock were schools, a hospital, cinemas, pachinko parlors, and shrines—a completely self-contained society.)
17. Kurokawa Onsen
Kurokawa Onsen is truly a secluded wonderland in Kyushu. Reaching this hidden retreat tucked away in the Kumamoto valleys takes some travel time, but the reward is unforgettable. Awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan as a destination "worth a detour," the town offers the famous wooden "Nyuto Tegata" pass, which lets you sample outdoor baths at three different traditional ryokans. For hot spring aficionados, this is pure heaven!
◎ Address: 6594-3 Manganji, Minamioguni Town, Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture (Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association)
◎ Transportation: Take the Kyushu Odan Bus directly from Kumamoto or take JR to Aso Station and transfer to the Kyushu Odan Bus (JR PASS | Car Rental)
◎ Recommended Tours: Kurokawa Onsen Walking Tour | Kumamoto Castle & Kurokawa Onsen Tour
◎ Official Website: Kyushu Kurokawa Onsen
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Kumamoto Accommodations)
(In the national "Japan Top 100 Onsen" rankings, Kurokawa Onsen took 1st place in the "Atmosphere" category. Cobblestone pathways, dark wooden Edo-style architecture, and babbling rivers create an authentic pastoral charm. [Photo by Kurokawa Onsen])
18. Udo Shrine
Udo Shrine is Japan's only major shrine built entirely inside a seaside cliff cavern, directly fronting the crashing Pacific Ocean. Located along the southern coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, it is renowned for blessings of marital harmony, fertility, safe childbirth, and safe sea voyages. Legend holds it is the birthplace of Emperor Jimmu's father. Down on the rocky shore lies the sacred "Turtle Rock"—toss a lucky clay "Undama" pebble into the roped depression on the turtle's back, and your wish is said to come true!
◎ Address: Miyaura, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan
◎ Transportation: Take JR to Ibii Station, then transfer to a bus bound for Nichinan/Obi/Toimisaki and get off at "Udo Jingu" (JR PASS | Car Rental)
◎ Official Website: Kyushu Udo Shrine
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Miyazaki Accommodations)
(Many travelers visiting Udo Shrine also combine it with a stop at nearby "Sun Messe Nichinan," where seven full-scale replica Moai statues stand facing the Pacific Ocean!)
19. Kokura
Located in Kitakyushu, Kokura is a delightful city where historic feudal heritage seamlessly merges with everyday local life. Standout highlights include Kokura Castle, the vibrant Tanga Market (known as Kitakyushu's kitchen for fresh fish and produce), Uomachi Gintengai, and Central Shopping Arcade. For travelers seeking an authentic, less-touristy taste of Northern Kyushu, Kokura is highly recommended!
◎ Address: 2-1 Jonai, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture (Kokura Castle)
◎ Transportation: Take JR to Kokura Station and walk to major sights (JR PASS | Car Rental)
◎ Official Website: Kokura Castle | Tanga Market
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Fukuoka Accommodations)
20. Mount Tsurumi
Mount Tsurumi in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, was selected by CNN as one of Japan's 31 Most Beautiful Places. It boasts Western Japan's largest aerial ropeway, whisking visitors up to the summit in just 10 minutes to enjoy sweeping panoramas of Beppu Bay, Mount Yufu, and the Kuju mountain range. With cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn maples, and winter rime frost, Mount Tsurumi changes character throughout the seasons. November is especially magical, when you can catch vibrant autumn colors at the base while early winter frost dusts the mountain peaks!
◎ Address: Minamitateishi, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, Japan
◎ Transportation: From JR Beppu Station West Exit, take Kamenoi Bus No. 34, 35, or 37 to "Beppu Ropeway" (JR PASS | Car Rental)
◎ Official Website: Beppu Ropeway
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare Prices | Beppu Accommodations)
(Near the summit of Mount Tsurumi, you will find a historic shrine dedicated to Sanjo Gongen as well as statues of the Seven Lucky Gods lining the walking paths.)
◎ Kyushu Attractions Map
To help you navigate easily, I have mapped out all 20 recommended attractions, along with notable regional sights, gourmet dining spots, and hotel bases on Google Maps. The map includes fundamental travel details and multiple categorized layers that you can toggle on and off. Feel free to save and share it!
Map Link: Kyushu Attractions Map
Finally, keep in mind that Kyushu is truly vast and packed with extraordinary sights. It is virtually impossible to see everything on a single trip (even after exploring for an entire month, there was still plenty I wanted to see!). That is why many travelers split their adventures into "Northern Kyushu" and "Southern Kyushu." Yet this is precisely what makes Kyushu so captivating—the more you explore, the more hidden gems you uncover. I have no doubt that once you set foot here, you will fall in love with Kyushu just like I did!