Kyushu: The Authentic Face of Japan, Between Hot Springs, Volcanic Landscapes, and Ancient Traditions

There is a Japan that escapes the usual routes, where mountains smoke, temples rise in silence, and cities tell stories of resilience and cultural fusion. This is Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s main islands — a land of contrasts and surprises. A perfect destination for those seeking authentic emotions, far from the crowds but at the heart of Japanese tradition.

1. Among the Steam of the Onsen: The Magic of Beppu and Yufuin

In Kyushu, hot water gushes from the earth almost everywhere. Beppu, one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns, offers a surreal landscape: columns of steam rising from the ground, sand baths, healing mud, and the “hells” (jigoku) — colorful thermal pools unlike anything else.
Just a short distance away, Yufuin charms with its more refined and intimate atmosphere, filled with art galleries, boutique shops, and ryokan nestled in nature. A stay here — with tatami mats, yukata robes, and kaiseki dinners — is an immersion into the rituals of Japanese hospitality.

2. The Raw Power of Nature: Aso and the Active Volcanoes

In the heart of Kyushu rises Mount Aso, one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas. Still active, it offers dramatic scenery shaped by the primal forces of the earth. Climbing near the crater’s edge, smelling the sulfur in the air, and gazing at the lunar landscape is an experience that awakens the senses.
The surrounding region — with rural villages, lush farmland, and hiking trails — is ideal for travelers seeking unspoiled nature and quiet beauty, without giving up the comfort of traditional inns and charming countryside resorts.

3. Kumamoto: Quiet Strength and Cultural Depth

Kumamoto is a city that captivates with its discreet elegance. Its iconic castle — one of the most impressive in Japan — still dominates the skyline, despite the damage from the 2016 earthquake. The city has risen again with dignity, preserving its cultural and artisan heritage.
Wandering through its gardens, temples, and time-honored workshops, one feels the quiet strength of a Japan deeply connected to its past.

4. Nagasaki: Japan’s Gateway to the West

In Nagasaki, Japan opens to the world. It was here that Western influences first entered the country, leaving visible marks in architecture, historic districts, and culinary traditions. Today, the city is a place of memory and reflection, with the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum inviting visitors to pause and think.
Yet Nagasaki is also a vibrant coastal city, with a melancholic beauty and a living history that continues to unfold in its most authentic corners.

5. Gastronomy and Craftsmanship: A World to Discover

Kyushu is also a land of bold, honest flavors. Fukuoka, the island’s main city, is considered the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen, but the entire island offers rich culinary experiences — from fresh seafood and wagyu beef to tropical fruits and shochu, the local spirit.
Its craftsmanship reflects the same spirit: from the refined porcelain of Arita to the textiles of Amakusa and hand-forged knives, every item tells a story, every flavor reveals an identity.

Kyushu doesn’t shout — it whispers. It offers subtle, lasting emotions to those with the curiosity and time to listen. A journey here isn’t just travel, it’s a slow unfolding of a different Japan: more authentic, more human, more alive.

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