Kyushu

Kyushu is the third-largest island located southwest of the main island Honshu, and the most southerly of the four largest islands. The island is separated from Honshu by the Kanmon Straits. Kyushu has 10.3 percent of the population of Japan. Being the nearest island to the Asian continent, historically it was the gateway to Japan.

An early center of Japanese civilization, Kyushu offers many historic treasures, modern cities and natural beauty. It is often characterized by warm climate, abundant food production and dynamic nature including active volcanoes such as Mt Aso and Sakurajima.

Well-known destinations of Kyushu are the onsen town of Beppu, the home of Atomic Bomb Museum, Nagasaki, the historically significant shinto shrine of Dazaifu and the tropical islands of Okinawa. Kyushu’s famous foods include ramen, seafood, particularly calamari and puffer fish, many wagyu brands, fruit and green tea. Kyushu is also known for its highly skilled artisans in the areas of ceramics, textile and bamboo crafts.