Travel guides and hidden gems in the Kyushu & Okinawa region of Japan
Southern Japan · Volcanic & Tropical
Yakushima’s ancient cedars, Aso’s volcanic caldera, Beppu’s onsen, and Okinawa’s coral seas.
Kyushu covers Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. Okinawa is the 47th prefecture — a separate former kingdom 700 km southwest. We have deep coverage of Yakushima (Kagoshima), Aso (Kumamoto), and the Fukuoka food scene; Okinawa coverage is growing.
October–April for Kyushu (cooler, less typhoon). June–September for Okinawa beaches (typhoon-aware). January–February for Beppu / Yufuin onsen in cold weather. May for fresh cedar greens on Yakushima.
Sanyo Shinkansen reaches Hakata (Fukuoka) from Osaka in 2h 30min. Kyushu Shinkansen runs Hakata→Kagoshima. Yakushima: hydrofoil/ferry from Kagoshima or fly. Okinawa: fly only.
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