Kyushu

The Hinatayama Sego-don Mura Village now has a new addition a Saigo Takamori-themed inn. Situated in the Hinatayama Onsen Village, the inn’s building is modeled after the Ryuho Residence Saigo used to stay at when on vacation in the village, thus making it a historically important facility as well. Complete with a beautiful Japanese garden, this facility provides a new great tourist attraction.

Sakurajima, the major tourist destination in Kagoshima Prefecture, is one of the world's major active volcanoes, with the smoke still rising from its crater. It is located about 4 km from central Kagoshima City and a 15-minute ferry ride from the downtown area. Sakurajima Yogan Nagisa Park, just a 10-minute walk from the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal, has a foot bath where you can relax and enjoy your experience.

Kirishima is one of Kagoshima’s leading hot spring resorts, with many hot spring hotels and ryokan that let their overnight guests and day-trippers alike enjoy hot spring bathing.

To visit Ogawa Falls, you need to walk through a nature trail from the parking lot. The waterfall is majestic at 46 meters high and 60 meters wide.

Visitors to JAXA Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane-cho can look around its facilities on their own or join a guided tour led by a full-time guide.

Imagine yourself wearing a kimono and walking leisurely through the shrine believed to be the site where the grandson of the sun goddess descended in ancient days. This program, “Stroll through Kirishima-Jingu Shrine in a Kimono” is a great way to get away from your daily life and experience something completely new!

Yakushima (Kagoshima Prefecture) is an island 360km south of Fukuoka, which is a small round shape and 90% covered in forest. In the center are mountains of over 1,800m above sea level, including Mount Miyanoura (1,936m), which is the highest peak in Kyushu, and features unique vegetation that changes as the altitude rises.

Takachiho Shrine enshrines the deities of the other 88 main local shrines of Takachiho. Built approximately 1,900 years ago, the shrine has a long history. It enshrines deities of good harvests, marriage prospects, transport safety, and lifting of bad luck, and attracts many faithful. Huge trees tower over the shrine premises, such as the 800-year-old "Chichibu Cedar" and the "Couple Cedar", which is said to be good for fortune in marriage. "Takachiho Kagura" is also performed every night in...

Ishikawauchi in Kijo Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, is where the late literary master "Saneatsu Mushanokoji" created his vision of utopia: "Hyuga Atarashiki-Mura". There are many facilities that make use of the area’s abundant nature, allowing visitors to enjoy the mountains of Miyazaki Prefecture. Located around one hour by expressway from Miyazaki Airport, it also attracts many visitors from outside the prefecture.

Amano Iwato Shrine, famous for the wishing stone stacks of Amano Yasugawara, is located in the town of Takachiho in Nishiusuki-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture. Known as a power spot of Miyazaki, Amano Iwato Shrine attracts many people seeking "goshuin" (shrine red seals) and amulets. This is the land of the legend of Amano Iwato, which is found in the chronicles of Japanese mythology, Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. The shrine complex has two main shrines, Nishi-Hongu and Higashi-Hongu, both of which are...

An icon of the town of Kadogawa, "Otojima" is an uninhabited island in the middle of Kadogawa Bay. With a circumference of 4 km and the highest point of 80 meters above sea level, it looks just like the island from "Hyokkori-Hyotanjima", a popular Japanese TV puppet show. Here, we present Otojima, which is bound to stir up a spirit of adventure in anyone, child and adult alike, who steps foot on the island, along with information about the campground on the uninhabited island that is open for...

The village of Shiiba-son in Higashiusuki-gun, Miyazaki, is one of Japan’s three major hidden scenic spots. It has numerous sightseeing spots such as the Tsurutomi Yashiki residence and Shiiba Itsukushima Shrine. The warriors of the Heike Clan, who had fled to the area after their resounding defeat at the hands of the rival Genji Clan in the 12th century, sought refuge and lived in Shiiba-son.