Top Reasons to Go to Kyushu

Diverse Cities: Fukuoka has free-wheeling nightlife, Nagasaki radiates old-world charm, Kumamoto's castle contrasts with traffic-heavy streets, and Kagoshima's palm trees calm travelers.

Gastronomy Domain: Find the sought-after Hakata ramen in Fukuoka. Nagasaki has chanpon (seafood and vegetable noodle soup), and Kagoshima has kurobuta tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet).

Inside the Volcano: Mt. Aso, in the center of the island, is notoriously active, as is Sakura-jima, across the bay from Kagoshima. Hot springs are found throughout Kyushu.

Into the Wild: With its lava flows, outlying islands, rugged mountains, and national parks, Kyushu is an adventurer's dream. Most trails require only good shoes, water, and some time.

Remote Access: A high-speed train links Kumamoto with Kagoshima in an hour, and in another hour, you can be on the hot sand of Ibusuki's beaches.