Kyushu is the third largest of Japan’s four main islands. In the Asuka period (592–710 AD), it comprised nine old provinces, but it has seven modern prefectures today. Each one has its beautiful cities with unique character and charm. Visiting these cities can help you understand more deeply how the past and present come together in everyday life. So let’s explore five of the most beloved cities on this fantastic island, starting from Kitakyushu!
Kitakyushu
Kitakyushu is an exciting city at the top of Kyushu Island. In the past, it was formed by joining five smaller towns: Moji, Kokura, Tobata, Yahata, and Wakamatsu. The city grew during the Meiji era, becoming essential for factories, ships, and trains.
There’s so much to see in Kitakyushu! You can visit Kokura Castle, which has a traditional and historic look. In spring, the cherry blossoms around the castle turn the whole area pink and pretty! At Moji Port, you can see old Western-style buildings and take a walk back in time. At night, Mt. Sarakura shines with sparkly city lights called the “10 Billion Dollar Night View.” It’s an excellent spot for a family trip or enjoying the stars.
Moreover, Kawachi Wisteria Garden is like a fairytale land full of purple flower tunnels in spring. In fall, the same place turns red and orange with maple leaves. You can also hike up Mt. Hiko, full of trees, history, and a special shrine. If you like science and history, you can visit the Kitakyushu Museum and the TOTO Museum, which shows how toilets were made and used.
Fukuoka
Fukuoka is a lively city on the northern coast of Kyushu. Long ago, there were two places: Hakata, a port town where people traded goods, and Fukuoka, a castle town with samurai. They joined together in 1889 to become the city we know today. Even now, Hakata is where you’ll find the central train station and business area, while Fukuoka’s Tenjin area is full of cool shops, restaurants, and fun things to see.
This city is also famous for its delicious food! You can eat hot and creamy tonkotsu ramen, sizzling motsunabe (offal hot pot), and fresh seafood like goma saba (mackerel with sesame). Street food stalls called yatai pop up at night, and you can sit outside and try yummy snacks.
In addition, you can visit beautiful places like Fukuoka Tower, stroll through peaceful Ohori Park, or head to Canal City for shopping and indoor fun. Every year, big festivals like the Hakata Dontaku and the Hakata Gion Yamakasa light up the city with music, parades, and people racing giant floats through the streets.
In November, the Kokura Castle Takeakari Festival lights up the night with 30,000 glowing bamboo lanterns. Special boat tours show the city’s bright factories at night. You can shop for souvenirs at Mojiko Retro or try local dishes like yaki udon (fried noodles with sauce and meat).
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Kagoshima
Kagoshima is a sunny city in the southernmost part of Kyushu. It’s right by the sea and has a giant volcano called Sakurajima across the bay. The brave samurai from the Shimazu clan once lived here, and they helped change Japan’s history. You can still visit the ruins of their old castle and the lovely Sengan-en garden, where they used to live.
The city is also full of palm trees, making it warm and tropical! You can ride a ferry to Sakurajima and see the volcano up close. If you love animals, the Io World Aquarium lets you peek at the sea life under the bay. You can even spot dolphins in the ocean or splash around in the summer at Iso Beach.
Kagoshima has fun festivals too! You might see fireworks, dancing, and people wearing colorful costumes. At Tenmonkan, the city’s busy shopping area, you can eat tasty local food such as kurobuta (black pork), kurosatsuma-dori (black chicken), and wagyu beef. Kagoshima is also famous for a drink called shochu, which adults love to try.
Kumamoto
Kumamoto City is the capital of Kumamoto Prefecture. A long time ago, brave warriors and important families lived here. They built one of Japan’s most significant and strongest castles—Kumamoto Castle! Even though the castle was damaged during a big fight called the Satsuma Rebellion, you can still see the tall towers and old wooden buildings. You can explore the Shimotori and Kamitori shopping arcades, like long covered streets filled with bright shops and restaurants.
Don’t forget to try tasty local treats, including basashi (raw horse meat). Furthermore, there are cool museums like the Contemporary Art Museum, and peaceful spots like Lake Ezu, where you can ride a little boat or walk. If you like ninjas and swordfighters, don’t miss the Reigando Cave, where the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi lived and wrote his book about fighting.
Beppu
Beppu is a charming city in Oita Prefecture. It’s between the tall green mountains and the sparkling sea of Beppu Bay. This city is famous all over Japan and even the world for its hot springs. More than 2,500 hot springs are bubbling all over the city. These hot springs aren’t just pretty; they help people relax, warm up, and even feel healthier!
During the samurai period, Beppu’s hot springs were already used to help warriors heal. Over the years, Beppu grew into a cheerful city with fun places like Takegawara Onsen, where you can try an exclusive “sand bath” by getting buried in warm sand!
One of the most exciting things to see in Beppu is the “Hells of Beppu”. These are not scary; they’re colorful hot springs that are too hot to touch but are amazing to look at! There’s a bright blue one called Sea Hell, a red one called Blood Pond Hell, and even one with crocodiles! Around these places, you’ll find fun foot baths, souvenir shops, and yummy local snacks cooked using hot steam.
Why should I visit places like Kitakyushu?
Exploring these cities lets you walk through history, relax in nature, and taste flavors you won’t find anywhere else. Each town offers special charm, from Kitakyushu’s mix of history and modern lights to Beppu’s soothing steam baths. Traveling through these cities isn’t just about checking places off a list. It’s about slowing down, noticing the little things, and discovering what makes each place special. Which Kyushu city do you feel most curious about? Let us know in the comments!
