Things to see and do Kyūshū

Located 4 km from the city, Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. As proof, its last eruption was on April 29, 2017. The most violent one was in 1914. Although you can't climb the volcano, you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view from the observatories in Yunohira and Arimura. The northern coast is the most picturesque. To the east emerges the Kurokami torii, half buried under the volcanic ash. To the south are some onsen and rotenburo. Do not miss the Sakurajima Visitor Center and the foot spa in Nagisa Park.

This magical place is famous throughout Japan and beyond for the beauty of its waterfalls, its natural depth, the color of its water, the lush nature, all enhanced by the position of the overhanging rocks and the smoothness of the steep walls. The view of the Manai waterfall, which rises 17 meters high, from the gorge is breathtaking. Hiring a boat is an almost unavoidable step to make the most of the gorge. It is impossible to book one in advance, so you know what you have to do!

These hot springs, whose waters have very pronounced colors (orange, turquoise, gray ...), are very photogenic. But we do not bathe there. The grand tour includes eight hells (Jigoku Meguri). The Kannawa group, located about ten kilometers from the city, includes the Umi jigoku (sea hell) and Yama jigoku (mountain hell). The small group proposes Chi-No-Ike Jigoku (hell of the blood pond), Tatsumaki jigoku (hell of the tornado), Kamado...

The name of this temple appears in The Tale of Genji, a famous work of Japanese literature written by Murasaki Shikibu, a court lady of the Heian period. Kanzeon-ji was built in memory of Empress Saimei by her son, Emperor Tenji. It became the most important Buddhist temple in Kyushu, exerting great influence on all other temples in the region. A bronze Bonsho bell, the oldest in Japan, can be seen here.

The first cruise consists of a visit to the Nanatsugama site, seven caves located beneath the natural park. The longest measure is 100 meters. You can see surprising geological formations. The boat even enters a cave.

The second cruise leads to the island of Takashima. The boat has glass in the hold to admire marine fauna and flora.

This small underwater observatory, which is located at the end of a bridge, descends to a depth of nearly seven metres below sea level. Several portholes allow you to see many fish in their natural habitat, which can be excited by feeding them with pellets provided for this purpose. Among the many species are black sea bream and fugu, the famous puffer fish. A fun and pleasant activity to do with the whole family.

Mount Kagamiyama is 284 meters high and offers a spectacular view of Karatsu Bay, the city, the pine forest, and even the island of Iki, near Nagasaki, in good weather. There is a statue of Princess Sayo Matsuura, who cried for eight days for her love who left for Korea at sea, before turning to stone. On the way, you will discover a four-thousand-year-old tree, nicknamed Totoro's house, and a white Shinto temple that was built by a samurai after a military victory.

Located 1 km northeast of the railway station, the park is home to the former dungeon of the Ogasawara clan. It was called the Bukaku-jō or castle of the flying stork, because the drawing of the two beaches evoked a bird with its wings deployed.

The still active volcano erupted in April 1990, while in 1958 another eruption killed twelve people. In 1979, the cable car was damaged. In short, Naka-dake is a still dangerous volcano. The cable car will take you to the top in a few minutes. You can walk for 1 hour around a crater, the width of which varies constantly.

This large natural park, built on the ancient site of Taishoji, is home to several mausoleums, some of which are very famous. Among the main mausoleums is the tomb of Gracia Hosokawa (1563-1600), wife of Tadaoki. She converted to Christianity and was killed by her husband in order not to be taken hostage by the military commander Mitsunari Ishida. Gracia is a heroic figure in the eyes of many Japanese. The park invites you to take a peaceful stroll through its lush nature, which is at its most beautiful in autumn.

The most popular onsen in the city is the Takegawara Onsen, which dates back to the Meiji Empire. It has the particularity of having sand baths, as in Ibusuki. The Hamawaki Onsen is the second famous spring. Renovated over 20 years ago, Hamawaki is divided into two buildings, the classic onsen and the more sophisticated Hamawaki yu-tō-pia(yu = hot water, tō = bath). Onsen can also be found in the Kannawa, Shibaseki, and Kamegawa areas, and in the hills northwest of the city, the Myōban Onsen area.

He is known for his pink flamingos.

This is one of the most popular beaches in Miyazaki, famous for its small island connected to the land by a causeway. People also flock here for the ridged, combed-like rock formation discovered at low tide(Oni no sentaku ita, the ogre's washboard). The warm currents allow you to bathe there like in the tropics. Aoshima is also known for its betel trees(biro) and many subtropical plants. It is definitely a nice day trip to make from Miyazaki.

It consists of two natural caves, one of which is over 400 metres long. Inside the first cave are 40 statues of Hoki Buddhas, some of which date back to the^5th century. Some of these statues are surrounded by their disciples. Others even have traces of paintings. In the second cave, the visitor can take time to contemplate Sannousan Buddhas, statues 3 meters high as well as Furuzono Buddhas. The stone Buddhas of Usuki are classified as a national treasure.

From the sanctuary, a 15-minute walk is necessary to reach the cave. This little walk is an enchantment. In an environment of streams and trees, you will be able to reach the cave located at the east of the sanctuary.

Bathed by the Iwato River, the pretty shrine comprises a number of buildings, the main one, the Nishi hongū, being on the western bank. The Higashi hongū, as its name suggests, is on the east. It is exactly there, a fifteen-minute walk away, that the goddess Amaterasu Ōmikami, a mythical deity of the Shintō, took refuge. The environment of the shrine is truly wild, which gives the place a very appreciable mystical touch.

Located 1 km from the center, this shrine stands in the middle of an environment where cryptomerias, the Japanese cedars, reign supreme. Established over 12 centuries ago, the shrine is highly respected and revered as it is located on the land where the sun goddess descended to earth. The Iwato kagura is danced there every night at 8pm. If you are staying at a hotel in the village, you can usually book a shuttle bus and the session to participate in the dance.

It is the largest archaeological site in Japan, with 329 megalithic kofun dating from the^5th and 6th centuries. These tumuli, of different shapes - round, square or keyhole - were probably built by a very powerful local clan, perhaps close to the Yamato imperial lineage. Some of them can be as long as 220m. They are scattered in a park with a mysterious atmosphere. In some kofuns were found the famous haniwa that can be seen in the Saitobaru Shiryōkan Museum.