Kyushu literally means 9 prefectures, which is located at the most eastern island of Japan. But some of you may wonder why, because there are currently only 7 prefectures in the region; Fukuoka, which is the region’s capital, Nagasaki, Saga, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. This is because there were 9 countries before Edo period, but the government have unified the country and merged some countries, which now became 7 prefectures.
Kyushu is usually well-known for Hot springs and rich nature, so that it was one of the most popular honeymoon destinations for Japanese. There are also big cities, however, if you take a train for one hour, you may be able to see beautiful Japanese countryside, too. Let’s take a look at their attractions.
World Heritage sites
Yakushima (屋久島)
One of the very first UNESCO World Heritage sites of Japan. This island is actually the 7th biggest island located between Kagoshima and Okinawa, and this is where we can feel great nature.
The island has the highest mountain of Kyushu, Mt. Miyanoura, (宮ノ浦岳), whose height is nearly 2000 meters. Untouched forest of cedar trees is the main attraction of this island; Only the trees over 1000 years old are called Yaku cedar (屋久杉), which makes us feel the power of the nature. The oldest confirmed tree is over 2000 years old.
Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region (長崎と天草地方の潜伏キリシタン関連遺産)
Nagasaki is another place where atomic bomb was dropped in World War 2, but their UNESCO World Heritage site is something different from Hiroshima.
Christianity was introduced to Kagoshima in 16th century. However, only after 60 years since introduction, Christians had to hide from the suppression from the government as they prohibited the faith. Nagasaki was the best place for them to hide, because the restriction was relatively weaker and there are thousands of small islands, which made it easier for them to hide.
Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region (「神宿る島」宗像・沖ノ島と関連遺産群)
The site belongs to Fukuoka. Munakata and Okinoshima islands are located between Japan and Korea, and this is why we have so many historical international artworks found in Okinoshima islands.
Islands themselves were worshipped as sacred, based on animism beliefs, since 4th century. The access to the islands is prohibited unfortunately.
Instead, you may visit Munakata city, which is also another World Heritage site, located 40 minutes away from Fukuoka city.
Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution (明治日本の産業革命遺産)
This UNESCO World heritage site is available throughout Japan, but the most famous site in Kyushu. It is called Gunkanjima (軍艦島), also known as Hashima (端島).
This island belongs to Nagasaki prefecture, and it is accessible by ferry. When there was coal mining, as many as 5200 people lived in the island. They built school, apartments and shops which are needed to spend their normal life, however, when the coal depleted, they abandoned the island completely. What we can see now is these ruined buildings, which are very popular among tourists.
Amami island (奄美諸島)
Amami islands are consisted of small islands, with the main island called Oshima (大島). They belong to Kagoshima prefecture, the most southern part of Kyushu, however, because islands are separated from the mainland, their culture is so unique and some say that the culture and language are more like Okinawa
The islands have a tropical climate and jewel-like ocean. There is even a rain forest which does not allow people to go in. It is also one of the newest World Heritage sites of Japan, so the beauty is still yet to be discovered by other foreign tourists.
National Parks
Yakushima (屋久島国立公園), Seto inland sea (瀬戸内海国立公園) and Amami islands (奄美群島)
Description available above. For Seto inland sea, take a look at Kinki region.
Saikai (西海国立公園)
Saikai National Park, which is also called as a kingdom of islands, belong to Nagasaki prefecture. The Park has Ria coast; a type of coast where we can see a lot of small islands on the ocean, and this scenery is used in many brochures of Nagasaki.
Unzen Amakusa (雲仙天草国立公園)
This is one of the very first Japanese National Parks which belongs to Nagasaki, Kumamoto and partially to Kagoshima. The Park is full of beautiful views of mountains and ocean with small islands.
Aso Kuju (阿蘇くじゅう国立公園)
This national park is in Kumamoto and Oita prefecture. Kyushu is famous for hot springs, which also means that there are so many volcanic mountains. There are iconic active volcanos called Mt. Aso (阿蘇山) and Mt. Kuju (九重山) in this National Park, which have created a breath-taking view in the area.
Kirishima Kinko (霧島錦江湾国立公園)
This National Park is located at the southern part of Kyushu, in Kagoshima and Miyazaki. The Park holds Kinko bay (錦江湾) and Kagoshima’s symbol Sakurajima island (桜島).
The view of the mountain can be seen from Kagoshima’s capital city. Sakurajima was a separate island until 1914, but because of the eruption of the active volcano, now the island is connected to Kyushu continent.
Advice for Muslims
Fukuoka and Nagasaki are the 2 most touristic places in Kyushu, so that the travel may not be that hard. However, other destinations could be a little bit difficult to find something suitable for Muslims travelers.
In Kyushu, the most popular and consumed meat is pork, so you may unfortunately encounter dishes using pork meat. Ramen, Japanese soup noodle, in most of the cases is also pork broth, so try to find Halal one if you would like to avoid.
Muslim Friendly local food
- Goma saba (ごま鯖), Fukuoka
- Yanagawa pot (柳川鍋), Fukuoka
- Mudskipper fish (ムツゴロウ), Saga
- Shippouku dishes (卓袱料理), Nagasaki
- Fucha dishes (普茶料理), Nagasaki
- Shima Tofu (島豆腐), Kagoshima
- Karashi renkon (辛子蓮根), Kumamoto
- Kujaku (くじゃく), Oita
- Tako meshi (たこ飯), Kumamoto
- Gomadashi (ごまだし), Oita
- Gane (がね), Kagoshima
- Hiyajiru (冷や汁), Miyazaki
- Mehikari fish fry (めひかりの唐揚げ), Miyazaki
How is the Access?
From Tokyo
Take a flight. The flights between Fukuoka and Tokyo are so frequent, and some of the flights to other destinations in Kyushu are available. Shinkansen bullet train takes so much time and can be expensive, so it is not our recommendation.
From Osaka
Take either a flight or Shinkansen bullet train if you are only going to Fukuoka. If you are going to other further destinations, then consider going to Fukuoka first and then take train to these destinations.
Within the area
There is Shinkansen bullet train network however, the schedule is sometimes tricky, and they are only connecting major cities. If you are thinking to go to many local areas, then try to rent a car. You might have more chances to take a ferry ride, as there are so many touristic spots in the islands.