Takeoff to Discover Kyushu’s Untamed Beauty, Deep Traditions, Natural Hot Springs and Unforgettable Flavours

Kyushu is a smorgasbord of regional food. In Fukuoka, the signature dish is Hakata ramen, thin noodles in rich pork-bone broth, served fast and hot at casual counters across the city. It’s easy to find a bowl at midnight or before your flight especially as the airport is not far from the centre of town. You’ll also find excellent udon, topped with crispy gobou-ten (fried burdock root). After sunset, look for yatai, the iconic open-air food stalls that set up in parks and along rivers, especially around Nakasu. At these tightly packed counters, you’ll find gyoza, skewers, oden, and beer served late into the night. From classic izakaya fare to French cuisine, each yatai has its own style, the best approach is to wander, stop where the mood feels right, and try a little at each.

In Nagasaki, the local cuisine tells the story of the city’s multicultural roots. Try champon, a hearty bowl of pork and seafood in a rich white broth, or the crispier version known as sara udon, topped with vegetables and fried noodles. For a deeper dive into the city’s food traditions, book a Shippoku meal, a multi-course dining style influenced by Chinese and Western cooking. There are plenty of cafes and kissaten where you can grab some castella, a fluffy Portuguese-style sponge cake that’s a local favourite.
Miyazaki is best known for its chicken dishes. You’ll find plenty of restaurants that serve chicken nanban, deep-fried chicken topped with tartar sauce, and charcoal-grilled jidori.

For sake lovers, Kyushu offers hundreds of varieties to try, many of them produced in small, family-run breweries. Each region brings its own climate and water source to the process, which means flavour profiles vary from light and dry to rich and full-bodied. Some breweries welcome visitors for tastings or guided tours, especially in areas like Fukuoka and Kumamoto. Keep an eye out for limited seasonal releases, or try comparing a few styles from the same maker to pick up on subtle differences.

Kyushu is also the heartland of shochu, a distilled spirit often made from sweet potato, barley, or rice. It’s typically lower in alcohol than whisky but stronger than sake, and is commonly served neat, with water, or over ice. Kagoshima and Miyazaki are two of the main producing regions, and many restaurants offer a wide selection alongside local dishes.

Kyushu’s cities are compact and easy to navigate. Many historical landmarks are within walking distance or just a short bus, taxi or tram ride away.

In Nagasaki, visit Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Hypocenter to reflect on the city’s past. Nearby is Chinatown and Dejima, once a Dutch trading post during Japan’s isolation period, and Spectacles Bridge, one of the oldest stone bridges in the country. While you’re there, look for the heart-shaped stone carved into the embankment. It’s said that if you find it, love will find you. On the south-east side of the harbour, Ōura Church stands as a quiet monument to the city’s Christian past. Built in 1864, it’s linked to the story of the hidden Christians who practiced their faith in secret for over two centuries during Japan’s Sakoku isolation period.
For an alternative view over the city, take the ropeway to Mount Inasa, especially beautiful after dark, when the lights stretch across the harbour.

Fukuoka’s Hakata district is full of small shrines, merchant houses, and streets that trace back centuries. Kushida Shrine sits at the centre of the local summer festival and is just a short walk from modern shopping arcades and castle ruins. Be sure to wander through Kawabata Shopping Arcade, a 400-metre-long strip lined with over 100 locally owned businesses—many of which preserve the charm of retro Japan.

In Kumamoto, Kumamoto Castle rises above the city. Damaged in the 2016 earthquake, it’s been carefully reconstructed. A few blocks away, quiet gardens and walkable neighbourhoods reflect the area’s samurai history. From here, you can easily reach the Aso caldera, a vast, open plain with steaming vents and ringed peaks.

For a slower pace, head to Yufuin in Oita. Shops, bakeries, and museums line the main street, which leads to a lake with clear views of Mount Yufu. Many inns are family-run, and you can walk from the train station to most places in town.

Kyushu is famous for its onsen (natural hot springs). They’re everywhere, inside city centres, in mountain valleys, and along the coast. Most onsen have a no-bathers policy, but it’s all part of the experience. Why not challenge yourself to a skinny dip?

Oita Prefecture is home to the largest number of hot spring sources in Japan. Beppu is the busiest, known for its variety, including open-air baths, mud baths, sand baths, and even steam cooking spots. Yufuin is quieter, with mountain views and boutique inns. Many baths welcome day visitors, and tickets are often available from vending machines out front. In Kagoshima, head to the bay for sunamushi, sand baths warmed by geothermal heat. You’ll be buried up to your neck in warm black sand while looking out toward Sakurajima.

Even in places like Kumamoto, smaller towns near the base of Mount Aso offer local baths that are open to travellers. Some use cave walls or outdoor tubs. Some offer food cooked using spring water or steam. Most ask only that you bring a towel, follow the etiquette and enjoy the soak.

With rich food traditions, layered history, and time to slow down, Kyushu gives you plenty of reasons to stay a little longer. Start planning your next adventure.