Kyushu: Places to Explore

Aso-san comprises the world's largest caldera—128 km (80 mi) in circumference, from 18 km to 24 km (11 to 15 mi) wide in places—formed after a massive lava-dome collapse some 100,000 years ago... Read more

Fukuoka is a good base to begin exploring Kyushu. To get a sense of the city, walk along the meandering Naka-gawa river. The stunning Canal City shopping complex, a 15-minute walk west of Hakata Station... Read more

Kagoshima is a laid-back, flowery, palm-lined southern getaway on the Satsuma Peninsula with mild weather, outgoing people, and a smoking volcano out in the bay. Ancient relics believed to date back to... Read more

Kumamoto is situated nearly midway along the curve of the west coast of Kyushu. From here you can go to Nagasaki to the west, Fukuoka to the north, Aso-san to the east, and Kagoshima to the south on the... Read more

Blessed with a breathtaking location, Nagasaki is strung together on a long series of hillocks in a scenic valley that follows the arms of the Urakami River down into a gentle harbor. Unlike Hiroshima... Read more

Southwest of the majestic twin peaks of Yufu-dake, this tranquil village resembles a checkered quilt. Forests nestle up to clusters of galleries, eclectic cafés, local crafts shops, and rustic lodgings... Read more