Kyushu

As the gateway between Japan and Asia, Kyushu is located southwest of Japan’s main island Honshu and has a slightly warmer tropical climate. Kyushu is also known as the “Land of the Seven Prefectures” as it encompasses the seven prefectures: Fukuoka (the island’s largest city), Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima. Kyushu with natural beauty ranging from stunning coastlines to open plains and active volcanos (e.g. Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, which is Japan’s most active volcano) as well as subtropical isolated islands, it is also Japan’s third largest island. The volcanic activity on the Kyushu many onsen, or hot springs (around Beppu and Saga in particular). Apart from its natural beauty Kyushu boasts a rich local culture. As a sight of Japan’s earliest settlement the island’s history stretches back for centuries and this can be seen today at attractions such as Yoshinogari Park in Saga, the city of Nagasaki and its nearby amusement park Huis ten Bosch. When it comes to food, Kyushu seems to have it all offering a great variety of delicious local dishes you just have to try.