Things to do & places to visit in Kyushu, Japan

Kyushu #6 destination in Japan 2023. The average rating score is 4.19 based on 85.6k traveler reviews, of 199 attractions. Timezone: Asia/Tokyo, current date and time: Sunday, May 05, 2024, 19:34.

Top things to do (32)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

4.5 Kumamoto Castle (2.729 reviews)
- The landmark of Kumamoto
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas • Castles • Scenic Walking Areas

The landmark of Kumamoto ⛩️ After the earthquake, the castle is still in the same condition. Besides, the history is displayed in every level of the castle. The one day pass of Tram can be used for entrance fee discount. FB: กินเที่ยวไม่ซ้ำ จำที่ไม่ได้ Wongnai: กินเที่ยวไม่ซ้ำ จำที่ไม่ได้ See more..
4.5 Ohori Park (2.044 reviews)
- Oasis in downtown
Parks • Scenic Walking Areas

Ohori Park, like Central Park in New York or Luxembourg Park in Paris, is an oasis in downtown Fukuoka. During weekends, many people come here to spend a relaxing time. Jogging or walking, or just take a cup of coffee, it is totally up to you. See more..
4.5 Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum (2.009 reviews)
- Entrance is 200 yen per person
Sunday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM History Museums

Jarring, horrific reminders of the devastation caused by the August 9, 1945 bombing of Nagasaki fill this historic and educational museum, which traces events preceding the bombing, the resulting destruction and the city’s restoration. See more..
4.5 Mount Sakurajima (1.859 reviews)
- Highlight of our Kagoshima Trip
Volcanos

A 15-minute ferry ride takes you to this smoking volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Japan. See more..
4.5 Mt. Inasa (1.465 reviews)
- Mount Inasayama Observatory
Mountains

If you are driving and trying to get the map code of this place, input Mount Inasayama Observatory. Parking at the observatory is 100 Yen per hour. Entrance to the observatory is free. There’s toilet at the ground floor and lift to go up for those who need it. Otherwise, enjoy the view walking up the round building and soak in the beautiful harbour view of the city. This is by far the best city view I’ve seen after comparing it to Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe and Nagoya. Well done Nagasaki. See more..
4.5 Sengan-en (1.288 reviews)
- A Must Visit Location!
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas

Sengan-en is a traditional Japanese garden and stately home that has been passed down in the Shimadzu family for over 350 years. The garden boasts spectacular views of active volcano Sakurajima, and the house provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of a powerful feudal lord. Sengan-en and the surrounding area was fundamentally important in the modernization of Japan. It was here that Western industrial technology was introduced to Japan, studied and used in the creation of modern factories. Shoko Shuseikan is a museum set in a 150 year old stone building originally used as a machine factory. Learn about the 800 year history and culture of the Shimadzu family, and the first steps towards the industrialization of Japan. In July, 2015 Sengan-en and Shoko Shuseikan were recognized as World Cultural Heritage Sites related to Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution. See more..
4.5 Hashima Island (1.205 reviews)
- Unique and fascinating, like nothing we have ever seen before!
Islands

This is a must if you are in or close to Nagasaki. The island has an eerie post-apocalyptic wasteland like presence to it and is like nothing we have ever seen or experienced before. It makes for some interesting photos and is rated as one of the creepiest places on earth. Hashima Island was certainly the highlight of Nagasaki for us. When you dock on the island we had about an hour to walk along a few 100 meters worth of paved concrete paths around one end of the island, stopping in three main areas of interest. Unfortunately you don’t get to see very much of the island on foot or get to go through any buildings due to the obvious safety concerns the crumbling buildings present. However we felt very privileged just being able to see what we did especially given the island has been closed off for so many decades and only opened up again just a few years ago. We used the Gunkanjima Concierge Tour Company and were really happy with the tour (review is on their tripadvisor page). See more..
4.5 Takachiho Gorge (1.184 reviews)
- As Wonderful as it looks !
Spent 1-2 hours Canyons

Whether you walk down from your hotel or drive ..... leave time to wander, sit and soak in the beauty if the place. Get to the gorge early so as to avoid the line for the row boats. Rentals start at 8am . But if its too early then you wont get the sunlight shining down and the beautiful contrasts it creates streaming down the walls and into the aquamarine water . Lots of spots for taking great pictures. There are cafes and restaurants too. A Must if you are visiting Kyushu . See more..
4.5 Sakura Jima Ferry (1.070 reviews)
- Great and Easy Service
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Ferries

My stay in Kagoshima was extended so one day I planned on bike riding around Sakurajima Island. The ferry leaves port daily about every 15 minutes, so don't sweat it if you miss it. I brought my bike on the ferry and it was such an easy and cheap process. You enter with the bike where the cars go and leave with them. You pay at Sakurajima and it was an extra 100 Yen for the bike. The ferry ride was smooth and quick and the staff was great! I highly recommend seeing the island by bike. See more..
4.5 Nagasaki Electric Tramway (1.031 reviews)
- Most fantastic and cute tram (street car) system
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Trams • Public Transportation Systems

Nagasaki down-town has a small network of old trams (street-cars) running along the main valley floor. From the main train station (colour coded) routes go north (Atomic Museum) and south (Dejima Dutch settlement) as well as some transfer points along the way. Grab a day-pass (info counter at station) for Yen 500 and you can jump on/off all day. Most well worth the 'rattles and bumps' of history. See more..
4.5 Shiratani Unsuikyo Valley (731 reviews)
- It's the moss that stays with you!
Canyons

The trees are fantastic. Old and majestic. But it's the moss that will stay with you when you return home and think of Yakushima. Went on a day tour with Steve of Yes Yakushima and his expert knowledge of the valley and it's ecosystem made a walk in the park so much more. Highly recommend him to you. See more..
4.5 Chiran Peace Museum (711 reviews)
- excellent, well worth the effort and extremely interesting
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Military Museums • History Museums

A brilliant historical and fair minded view of young men who sacrificed themselves for their country. Not the men crazy on sake as portrayed many times but a great many young men who had not yet lived, but loved their families and their country and were, maybe, not so willing to give their lives as one would believe when you read the many letters, but did so for what they believed to be the good of their country and their emperor. The figure of 1034 pilots lost does not tally with official allied numbers of some 1900 odd, but I therefore assume the figure of 1034 was for that area alone and did not include the pilots from Formosa , Okinawa etc. Having had friends in the Australian Navy who were on the receiving end of these attacks it was well worth the trip and visit. Both my wife, myself and grandchildren learnt a great deal from it. See more..
4.5 Aoshima Island (692 reviews)
- Unique rock formation
Islands

Aoshima Devil's Washboard is a very unique rock formation by waves. We checked the low tide time so you can have full view of the washboard. If you are in Miyazaki this is the place you must visit n touch the washboard. There a few restaurants n shops near so you may have some shopping there. We had a nice time in Aoshima. See more..
4.5 Daikanbo Overlook (644 reviews)
- Aso-san（阿蘇山）
Spent 1-2 hours Mountains • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts

Daikanbo is Aso's most famous lookout point, offering stunning views of Japan's largest grassland area and one of the world's largest calderas. Daikanbo is the highest peak along Aso's Outer Moutain Ring, rising 936m above sea level, and visitors can see all of Mt. Aso's five peaks plus the towering Kuju Mountains in neighboring Oita Prefecture. With its stunning sunsets and sunrises, starry skies, serene unkai (sea of clouds), and seasonal changes, Daikanbo merits multiple visits at different times of year to see all it has to offer. The parking area is always filled with cars and motorcycles of people visiting from all over the country. Access: Aso Kumamoto Airport (approx. 50 min.), Uchinomaki Onsen (approx. 20 min.) / Parking: Free (500 cars) See more..
4.5 Udo Shrine (637 reviews)
- The one shrine you must visit (and take Route 220!)
Sunday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Religious Sites

I visited Udo Jingu just a couple of weeks back. If you had to pick one shrine to visit on a time limited vacation, I strongly recommend going to this one. Udo Jingu is build along and on a cliff looking out onto a beautiful coastline. There is also a smaller section of the shrine that's built into the cliff itself. The whole place is simply stunning and unlike other shrines. There is a rock off the side of the cliff where people throw pebbles onto. If you manage to get the pebbles on the rock, it's said that you will receive good luck. It's a fun experience for everyone and not too difficult. If you are here on a road trip, I would suggest taking Route 220 along the beautiful coast. See more..
4.5 Uminonakamichi Seaside Park (494 reviews)
- Vast spaces, great for relaxation
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks • Gardens

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park is an extensive leisure park where you can enjoy seasonal flowers. Many events are held here in each season; Flower Picnic (spring), Rose Festival (early summer and autumn) and Cosmos Festival (autumn). Come to the Sunshine Pool in summer, the largest resort pool complex in the western Japan. You can also visit this urban resort park empty-handed and enjoy day camping with a rental barbecue outfits. Other features here at this large urban resort facility include Marine World, the aquarium with 350 kinds of fishes and The Luiganz, ocean view resort hotel. Inside the site, there is also an amusement park Wonder World, which has 23 kinds of attractions including a large Ferris wheel and a large trampoline, Kujiragumo Fuwanpoline. See more..
4.0 Huis Ten Bosch (2.216 reviews)
- A WAY cool gold hot tub
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Amusement & Theme Parks

Opened in 1992, this theme park is actually a recreation of a 17th-century Dutch village complete with authentic architecture, canals and historic sites. The park is compilation of hotels, attractions, shops, restaurants and live entertainment. See more..
4.0 Dazaifu Temmangu (2.082 reviews)
- Beautiful
Sunday: 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites

16th Century Shrine, Popular With Students Praying For Acdemci Success; Colorful Flea-market. See more..
4.0 Glover Garden (2.080 reviews)
- Prepare to be back in time!
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Gardens

This open air museum consists of nine Western-style homes built between 1868 and 1912 for Western merchants living in Japan. Glover Mansion, the most famous of these, is Japan's oldest Western-style house. See more..
4.0 Tenjin Underground Shopping Center (2.006 reviews)
- Best in Fukuoka shopping
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Shopping Malls

Nice underground but needs a bit of heating. Came here when it was winter and raining outside and this place is good to take shelter. The shops are decent and comparable to many malls in major cities. For city shoppers, this is a must visit. See more..
4.0 Hells of Beppu (1.660 reviews)
- Excellent one of a kind experience with an excellent tour guide.
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Hot Springs & Geysers

These eight boiling pools resulting from volcanic activity have varying characteristics: one is blood-red in color due to its red clay deposits, another has the largest geyser in Japan, and still another is used for breeding crocodiles. See more..
4.0 Kushida Shrine (1.632 reviews)
- Great Shrine with Chanting Monks
Sunday: 4:00 AM - 10:00 PM Religious Sites

A 1,000-year-old gingko tree shades this shrine, which was built in 757, and serves as the starting point for a famous annual summer race. The Hakata Historical Museum is also on the shrine grounds. See more..
4.0 Nagasaki Peace Park (1.491 reviews)
- Very Well Done
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Parks

The magnificent Nagasaki Peace Statue is one of many dramatic statues and sculptures at this park reminding visitors of the nuclear catastrophe and the need for world peace. See more..
4.0 Hakata Station (1.477 reviews)
- Wow factor !
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

I would use the word, the heart of Kyushu Train transportation, as most train must go and come here, no matter where you decide to go, either to Kagoshima, Beppu, Nagasaki, Mojiko, Osaka ... just name it, is all origin from here... So if you plan to move around Kyushu, to stay near by the Hakata Station is definitely a PLUS +++ compare to Tenjin. Just do some math, even though Tenjin to Hakata is just 3 stops , but the minimum fare single journey is 210 yen, so if you multiply by the days needed to travel, it come to a sum of few thousand, and for family of 4 like mine, it just worth to get one to stay near Hakata Station. See more..
4.0 Fukuoka Tower (1.383 reviews)
- Just another tower in Japan
Sunday: 9:30 AM - 9:30 PM Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Observation Decks & Towers • Scenic Walking Areas

Tower is nice and close to the beach. If it’s in the summer or days when it’s hot or has nice weather you can walk across the street and go to the beach. Tower provides good view of the water. Other than that not much else. Just another tower in Japan. See more..
4.0 Spectacles Bridge (Meganebashi) (1.307 reviews)
- Have to see the oldest stone arch bridge in Japan!
Bridges

From afar, this beautiful old stone bridge, with its arches reflected in the water, resembles a pair of glasses. See more..
4.0 Dejima (1.169 reviews)
- I found Dejima to be very interesting!
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Speciality Museums

An artificial island to which Dutch workers were restricted during Japan's era of isolation, the area is now being restored and includes historical buildings, a museum and a miniature model of the former island. See more..
4.0 Fukuoka City Subway (1.105 reviews)
- One days pass
Public Transportation Systems

The subway cover most of the city is and has frequent trains. There is a one days pass for 640 yen which is pretty useful if you going to walk around the city. The signboards and all the information is available in English. See more..
4.0 Fukuoka Yahuoku! Dome (1.023 reviews)
- Excellent stadium, passionate fans, a great evening!
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM Arenas & Stadiums

The devotion of the fans is simply great and I found this possibly even more entertaining than any visit to an American baseball stadium. The food was delicious and the beer girls were very friendly and efficient. We got our tickets through Klook and were guided to our seats. Highly recommended if you're in Fukuoka! See more..
4.0 Oura Catholic Church (997 reviews)
- Beautiful building and scenery
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

The oldest wooden Gothic church in Japan was built for the exclusive use of foreign residents. See more..