Kyūshū Region

The Kyūshū region of Japan is the southernmost island of the four main islands that make up Japan (Hokkaido, Honshū, Shikoku, Kyūshū). There are eight prefectures here: Fukuoka Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, Nagasaki Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, Oita Prefecture, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kagoshima Prefecture, and Okinawa Prefecture. This is an interesting region with some unique food and with some areas that are full of history.

When it comes to food in the Kyūshū region, without a doubt, the ramen from Fukuoka Prefecture made using pork bone soup is what comes to mind first. Using (as its name implies) the bones from pigs in its broth, this particular bowl of ramen originated in Kurume City. This ramen has quite a strong smell, and is (usually) served with the consistency of the noodles cooked to one’s preference. This particular bowl of ramen is (in a sense) customisable. From small local shops to big chains found throughout Japan, there are many shops in Fukuoka Prefecture specialising in pork bone ramen. Because of this, it’s easy to see how much those from this prefecture love ramen. Each shop serves this style of ramen slightly differently, so it’s fun to eat at a few shops and find one’s favorite bowl.

When many people think of the Kyūshū region, what many (likely) think of first are the events that took place during WWII. On August 9th, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped by American forces in Nagasaki Prefecture. It seems as if most people who visit (and are interested in) Nagasaki Prefecture nowadays are Westerners; increasing numbers of people visit this prefecture to learn about what happened during the war. However, it’s not just this awful history; Nagasaki Prefecture is also known for having a history that involves playing an important role in Japan. There was an area in Nagasaki Prefecture known as 出島 (dejima). From 1636 until 1859, this was the only area in Japan that Westerners were allowed to enter. This is one prefecture with some profoundly interesting history.

The Kyūshū region also boasts a warm tropical island. That island is Okinawa Prefecture. With its seemingly endless beaches and clear blue oceans as far as one’s eyes can see, this is one beautiful prefecture. However, Okinawa Prefecture was originally known as the 琉球王国 (ryūkyū-ōkoku), or Ryūkyū Kingdom, and didn’t become a part of Japan until 1972. Because of this, there’s food, traditional architecture (such as houses), and so on that can only be found in Okinawa Prefecture. The martial art known as 空手 (karate) originated in this prefecture. Many people visit Okinawa Prefecture to learn karate. It may seem like just another resort area, but there’s a culture here unlike any other.

The Kyūshū region also boasts one of the most well-known towns for hot springs in the entire country. Beppu, Oita Prefecture, has some of the best natural hot springs in the country. People from all over the world come to bathe here. Beppu City is known for having more natural hot water than any other hot spring town in Japan. There’s so much flowing here that, believe it or not, it has been set up so that it can flow through the homes of the locals, too. Here, you can also enjoy 別府地獄めぐり (beppu-jigoku-meguri). In Japan, it’s not common to get to see the source of where hot springs flow from. However, in Beppu City, you can visit the 地獄 (jigoku), areas that look like hell with boiling water and steam rising above them. This is where much of the hot spring water comes from, and there are seven jigoku that one can get up close to. This is a special experience and a must-see for those who love Japanese hot springs.

With delicious food, areas with history, and much more, the Kyūshū region has (seemingly) many appealing secrets yet to be discovered. With fantastic public transportation, this is an easy-to-visit area worth checking out.