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| SPOTLIGHT | | Wild
and naughty beaches and jungle, Wildlife,natural heritage and sun-kissed islands.
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Kyushu consists of Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima prefectures. It is the third largest and southernmost of Japan's four major islands and has always been a key entry point for news, ideas and culture from the Korean peninsula and China. During the years of the Tokugawa Shoguns, the Dutch trading post at Nagasaki was Japan's only connection to the rest of the world, and the city is now a prime attraction and study destination. Nagasaki has numerous universities and schools and a long history including the atomic tragedy of 1945. The northern city of Fukuoka is the main international entry point and is also the terminus of the Shinkansen (Bullet train) from Tokyo. This city is very close to Korea and has large numbers of Korean and Taiwanese students and residents. Cities such as Kumamoto and Kagoshima are famous for their history, castles and feudal era gardens. On the east coast the city of Beppu is famous throughout Japan for its hot springs (and high prices). Active volcanoes to visit include Mt Aso and Sakurajima, and there are plenty of good hiking opportunities in the many national parks throughout Kyushu island.
Kyushu is an ideal destination for those who are not seeking to spend long (or visit at all) the major cities of Osaka and Tokyo. It has plenty to offer in the way of watersports and hiking, and is perfectly located for travel to the Korean peninsula (there are regular ferry crossings to both Pusan in South Korea) and to other parts of Japan (Osaka, Shikoku, etc).
Spring and fall are drier and more pleasant seasons filled with delicate pink cherry blossoms, flowers galore in spring and blazing red, orange and yellow leaves to sign off to winter.
- Fukuoka -- Home of Fukuoka city, the "Capital" of Kyushu
Beaches at Fukuoka
Keya Beach - Shima-machi, Fukuoka
Iwaya Beach - Kitakyushu-city, Fukuoka
- Saga -- Small and rustic, famous for pottery and pre-historic village ruins
Beaches at Saga
Higashinohama Beach - Karatsu-city, Saga
- Nagasaki -- Hilly city with more than it's fair share of history - major "foreigners port" during the closed-Japan period, and victim of the 2nd US atomic weapon attack during World War II
Beaches at Nagasaki
Takahama Beach - Nagasaki-city, Nagasaki
Tsutsukihama Beach - Iki-city, Nagasaki
Hamagurihama Beach - Shingoto-city, Nagasaki
- Oita -- Rural area well known for abundant onsen hot springs especially Beppu
Beaches at Oita
Ryujin Beach - Musashi-machi, Oita
Nata Beach - Kitsuki-city, Oita
- Kumamoto -- Center of the isle of Kyushu, location of the Aso caldera, largest in the world, and the beautiful Amakusa chain of islands
Beaches at Kumamoto
Shirogahama Beach - Ariake-cho, Kumamoto
Shiratsuruhama Beach - Amakusa-city, Kumamoto
Tomioka Beach - Reihoku-cho, Kumamoto
- Miyazaki -- The surfers' destination of Japan - big beaches, big waves
Beaches at Miyazaki
Aoshima Beach - Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki
Odotsu Beach - Nichinan-city, Miyazaki
Takanabe Beach - Takanabe-machi, Miyazaki
- Kagoshima -- Dominated by the Sakurajima volcano, hot enough to grow sugarcane, get buried on hot-sands beaches, two famous islands of Yakushima and Tanegashima
Beaches at Kagoshima
Wakimoto Beach - Akune-city, Kagoshima
Kedo-kushihama Beach - Tokunoshima-machi, Kagoshima
Ohama kaihin Park - Amami-city, Kagoshima
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Top Beaches |  |
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 Zamami-jima |
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A fine place to get away from it
all, Zamami-jima has spectacular beaches, both on the island itself or a short
boat ride away. You can dive year-round, but the best time to visit is in autumn,
when most tourists have gone and while the water is still warm enough for swimming
and snorkelling. |
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| Furuzamami
Beach |
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Furuzamami beach is the best
on the island, with excellent coral and troops of multicoloured fish. In season,
you can rent snorkels at the small shop and there's also a restaurant and showers.
However, the beaches get even better on the tiny, offshore islands, such as Gahi-jima
and Agenashiku-jima, just south of Zamami. In summer (June to mid-Sept) small
boats take day-trippers out to these islands for a small fee, but out of season
you'll have to charter your own boat. |
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| Tokashiki-jima |
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Tokashiki-jima, the largest island and the closest
to Naha, attracts the greatest number of tourists, but all the islands are surprisingly
quiet outside the summer peak (July & Aug). This might not last much longer. |
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| Painagama |
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Painagama, immediately south of the harbour, but there
are much better ones around the island. Top of the list is Maehama , around 10km
south of Hirara, a long and remarkably pristine strip of soft white sand that
is hailed as Japan's best beach. |
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| Boraga
Beach |
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The next beach of note is Boraga,
reached by a steep twisting road from Route 390. It's a good spot for snorkelling
and kayaking and equipment for both is available from the attractive beachside
complex that includes a refreshment hut and a freshwater swimming pool. |
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| Okinawa
Island |
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Okinawa comprises more than
one hundred islands, stretching over 700km of ocean from Kyushu southwest to Yonaguni-jima,
almost within sight of Taiwan. Collectively known as the Ryukyu Shoto, this chain
of subtropical islands, with their lush vegetation, paradise beaches and superb
coral reefs, has become a popular destination for Japanese holiday-makers and
foreign residents alike. |
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| Yaeyama
Islands |
| Yonaguni-jima marks Japan's
most westerly point, from where it's only another 125km to Taiwan. As with the
Miyako Islands, the main reason for coming here is the spectacular diving and
snorkelling opportunities, although trekkers and kayakers will also be inspired
by the forest trails, rivers and indented coastline of Iriomote. |
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| Zamami-jima |
Zamami-jima has spectacular beaches,
both on the island itself or a short boat ride away. You can dive year-round,
but the best time to visit is in autumn, when most tourists have gone and while
the water is still warm enough for swimming and snorkelling.
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| Kamakura |
| Kamakura lies at the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Large
beaches are located just about 10 minutes from Kamakura Station by foot. The beaches
are very popular during the hot summer months when they are crowded not only with
locals but also with visitors from the close Tokyo/Yokohama area. | |
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| Kerama
Islands |
Kerama Islands are the closest
group to Naha. A knot of three large, inhabited islands and numerous pinpricks
of sand and coral, the Keramas offer some of the most beautiful and unspoilt beaches
in Okinawa and superb diving among the offshore reefs.
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