Naha ยท Nago ยท Ishigaki
๐ Similar to: Hawaii โ tropical beaches, unique culture, and island hopping
If you love tropical islands, Okinawa is a must-visit. Affordable, high-quality hotels, crystal-clear waters, and each island has its own unique character. People are friendly and fun. Beyond Naha, every island offers something different.
Fukuoka City ยท Dazaifu ยท Kitakyushu
๐ Similar to: Barcelona, Spain โ great food, nightlife, and gateway to the region
Well-connected by flights and shinkansen. The further you go from the city, the more beautiful it gets โ mountains, rivers, coastlines everywhere. The food is excellent. If you're exploring Kyushu, make Fukuoka your base.
Nagasaki City ยท Sasebo ยท Shimabara
๐ Similar to: Macau โ where Asian and European cultures blend uniquely
Nagasaki is Japan's most Christian-influenced city. Japanese and Western cultures blend uniquely here โ churches, Western-style cemeteries, unique architecture. Many experiences you won't find anywhere else.
Kumamoto City ยท Aso ยท Yamaga
๐ Costa Rica โ volcanic landscapes and incredible nature
Kumamoto is all about nature. Mount Aso's volcanic landscape is ideal for camping and outdoor adventures. One of the best camping areas in Japan.
Tip: Mount Aso is one of the best camping spots in all of Japan. Nature here is just unreal.
Beppu ยท Yufuin ยท Kunisaki
๐ Budapest, Hungary โ famous thermal baths and spa culture
Oita is Kyushu's top onsen destination. Beppu and Yufuin are famous hot spring towns that draw visitors from across Japan. If you love onsen, Oita should be on your list.
Tip: Kyushu's best onsen town. If you love hot springs, this is a must.
Saga City ยท Karatsu ยท Takeo
๐ Rural Belgium โ pleasant but not essential
Saga doesn't have many standout attractions. Unless you have specific plans, focusing on other Kyushu prefectures is more rewarding.
Tip: I'd recommend skipping Saga and spending more time in Nagasaki or Fukuoka instead.
Miyazaki City ยท Takachiho ยท Nichinan
๐ Byron Bay, Australia โ beautiful coast but off the beaten path
Miyazaki has beautiful coastal scenery but its remote location makes it less attractive to most tourists.
Tip: Beautiful coast but too remote for most trips. Skip unless you have lots of time.
Kagoshima City ยท Ibusuki ยท Kirishima
๐ Reykjavik, Iceland โ volcanoes everywhere but hard to reach
Kagoshima has beautiful volcanic landscapes but access is very difficult. For most travelers, the journey isn't worth it.
Tip: Access is really bad. Unless you're specifically interested in volcanoes, skip it.