• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Singapore HomepageExpat Living Singapore

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • Keppel BayThe best places to watch the sunset
        • V dayValentine’s Day gifts & date ideas
        • 28 HK drinkNew bars and nightspots to try!
        • La Panache bone inlay consoleGorgeous home décor gift shopping online
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • royal albatross yacht singapore romantic dinner39 Fun Things To Do In Singapore
        • Keppel BayThe best places to watch the sunset
        • East Coast park beachThe best parks for picnics in Singapore
        • V dayValentine’s Day gifts & date ideas
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • East Coast park beachThe best parks for picnics in Singapore
        • Weekend sunday clothesShopping from home – a new online marketplace!
        • brain mappingThe benefits of brain mapping for your child
        • frequent urge to pee overactive bladderHow to treat that frequent urge to pee
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • dining room table –Dining tables – where did you buy yours?
        • furniture direct from the manufacturerHome furniture for indoor and outdoor
        • Dining roomsDining furniture that will have you drooling!
        • La Panache bone inlay consoleGorgeous home décor gift shopping online
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • Glamping Time + Time NsoloGlamping: The best kind of camping!
        • The Fullerton Hotel kids room tent4 fun family staycays – with deals!
        • Merdeka - Where to stay in ThailandWhere to stay in Thailand, reviews & more
        • Covid-19 travel woman mask airportCOVID-19 travel: What to expect
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • Kopi breakfastAll you need to know about kopi
        • Oh my goodnessHow to eat clean in Singapore
        • 28 HK drinkNew bars and nightspots to try!
        • Afterglow by Anglow vegan30+ fantastic vegetarian and vegan restaurants
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • fashoionShopping in Singapore – Fashion News
        • Weekend sunday clothesShopping from home – a new online marketplace!
        • Work wear singaporeWhat to wear to the office in 2021
        • jewelleryJewellery gift ideas for all budgets
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • nutritionist in singaporeRoot cause medicine
        • Oh my goodnessHow to eat clean in Singapore
        • frequent urge to pee overactive bladderHow to treat that frequent urge to pee
        • kidsHelping our children deal with stress
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close
Home » Travel » Explore the natural beauty of Kyushu Japan

Explore the natural beauty of Kyushu Japan

25th April 2019 by Expat Living 8 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/best-places-to-visit-in-japan-kyushu/

With the country on the cusp of intense global attention, REBECCA SIMPSON visits the third-largest island of Japan to see what’s on offer.

Japan is staring down the barrel of two epic international events – the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and the Olympic Games in 2020. If the country were a family, the mum would be walking around the house, pleading with the kids to tidy their rooms. “Get ready! They’ll be here any minute.” Then the teenager would roll his eyes and quip, “Of course we’re ready; we’re Japan…”

Senganen
Sakurajima in all her glory

Kyushu is definitely ready for international visitors. And it’s an absolute pleasure to explore. The southernmost of the four main islands, it’s made up of eight prefectures, including Okinawa much further to the south (and a whole story of its own).

If you’re new to this part of the country, throw away all the bustling, high-density, high-tech images you hold in your head. Kyushu is a natural beauty. When the sun shines, the light is that special kind of bright we simply don’t get in other parts of Asia. Aesthetically, it has a lot in common with New Zealand – green and lush, with epic landscapes, and a coastline that’s rugged but accessible.

Other than ogling at its beauty, what else does Kyushu offer the visitor? In a word, lots. In the space of a single week you can visit volcanoes, trek through lush wilderness, explore historical sites that have become UNESCO World Heritage protected; and, when you’re tired from all that adventure, you can  soak in some of the world’s most incredible natural hot springs.

You can also do all the unique things one does when in Japan – like shop for wacky yet strangely effective beauty products, or indulge in the country’s famed culinary delights. In fact, Kyushu is home to some of Japan’s most tasty morsels and mouthfuls: Chiran green tea, specialty vinegars and the country’s favoured shochu (a Japanese spirit made from sweet potato) originate from here. If you’re on a driving holiday, the region has many “cellar door”-style gastronomic experiences; each one offers a tour of the facility before a meal featuring a menu inspired by the signature products. Two of our favourites were the Kirishima shochu distillery and the Kakuida black vinegar village.

Japan Aoshima balck vinegar village
Black vinegar distillery

Kagoshima International Airport is a favourable entry point, with direct flights from several international hubs, including Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul. It welcomes tourists not only with open arms, but also with a free mineralised foot bath to help promote circulation and reduce any swelling from your flight!

Kagoshima prefecture is an Insta-worthy location in itself, with active volcano Sakurajima providing an epic background from all angles. For centuries, this area was the country’s port to the outside world, so it’s an apt launching pad for foreign travellers. The museum at the Sengan-en Gardens is a nice way to kick off your time, especially if you enjoy history. You’ll discover Kagoshima’s past, rich in innovation and artistic pursuits like martial arts, music and tea ceremonies. It’s famous for porcelain and glassware too; if your passion is homeware, bring your credit card!

The region also boasts active volcanoes – there’s almost always something bubbling away in the background. These geological marvels work double time as the source of Japan’s famed onsen, plus as a super interesting tourist attractions for anyone from the age of three to 83.

Southern Kyushu Itinerary

We spent five days and four nights in the region, moving at a fast pace. There’s plenty to do; this itinerary could easily be spread across a full week.

Day 1

Our flight arrived at Kagoshima airport in the middle of the day. A quick soak at the airport foot bath was followed by lunch before we pushed on for an afternoon exploring Sengan-en Gardens. This is a must-do in Kagoshima; you could easily spend a half day here, exploring the gardens themselves, plus the museum and restaurants. Dinner was at Kagomma Furusato Food Village, where we wove through alleys of tiny restaurants, stopping to try small bites that highlight local ingredients. Then we took a night stroll around Kagoshima city, jumping on and off the trams and exploring beauty stores to discover local cosmetics and skincare products.

Matcha Tea at Sengan-en Gardens

Stay: Richmond Hotel Kagoshima Kinseicho is a nice mid-level hotel with breakfast. For something at the higher end, Shiroyama Hotel has an outdoor onsen with a view of Sakurajima.

Day 2

Sakurajima is the star of our second day; she’s been continuously erupting and bubbling away for more than 64 years.

You can drive around the foot of the volcano in about an hour, or walk up to the viewing platform (Arimura Lava Lookout) – even be buried in the hot sands at her base. Away from Sakurajima, we stopped at a black vinegar distillery for lunch and learnt how the vinegar is made, before spending the afternoon at Kirishima Shrine. This important and sacred place is notable for its delicious-smelling cedar trees. Dinner was at Kirishima Factory Garden, where we learnt how shochu, Japan’s ultra-popular sweet potato spirit, is created.

Stay: Kanpo no Yado Nichinan is a mid-level hotel with a large public onsen, a communal bathing facility with natural hot springs. Part of it is open air, allowing you to sit in the hot spring water and watch the stars.

Day 3

Our early morning drive to Udo Shrine, built inside a cave on the side of a cliff, was stunning, as was the low sunlight filtering through the cave; it made for incredible photos. Next stop was Aoshima Shrine, which is one for the lovers; stay a while and write a love note to hang in the garden. And don’t miss lunch at the Rainforest CafО – kids will love the sprawling lawn. We then visited Amanoiwato Shrine, an important place for Japanese people; the sun goddess is said to have hidden here in a cave before being lured out by other gods. Three shrines in one day is a lot; however, all are historically noteworthy, and our visits were beautifully punctuated by seeing Takachiho Gorge, an old-school moment of romance served up in a row boat and framed between two glorious gorge walls.

Udo Shrine
Udo Shrine coastline

Stay: Hotel Grateful Takachiho is another neat and clean mid-level hotel with breakfast, while Phoenix Seagaia Resort offers more luxe accommodation.

Kyushu with Kids

The short distances between attractions help to make Kyushu a family-friendly road trip. Here are some of the other highlights.

#1 Wide, green, open spaces

Little ones will love the green open spaces to run around in. There are beaches and parks galore, and many attractions, like Sengan-en Gardens and Kirishima Shrine, have beautiful grounds where kids can run wild.

#2 Family-friendly sightseeing

Sightseeing at places like shrines can be a challenge with little people, but Japan makes this easy. Many shrines have activities to do, like throwing rocks into the coil at Udo, or writing a love message at Aoshima, and there are little toys you can buy too. November is a great time to go because lots of Japanese families are visiting with their own children.

#3 Natural history

Beyond history and culture, there’s an enormous amount of natural history to explore in Kyushu. Kids of all ages will love the thrill of visiting volcanoes and seeing craters smoke on the horizon for days. It’s a wonderful real-world geology excursion.

#4 Mobile munchies and easy meals

When it comes to mealtimes, mums with fussy eaters will be happy to hear many places have menus that include pictures of each dish – a good way to see exactly what you’re ordering. There are endless opportunities for snacks. Soft-serve ice cream abounds, and most tourist shops allow you to taste Japanese sweets and treats before you buy. Vending machines take on a whole new identity, delivering hot coffee and even ice cream by the side of the road; you can pull over in even the most remote place to stock up on road-trip munchies.

Aoshima Shrina kids

Day 4

Time to get up close and personal with Mount Aso, one of the most active volcanoes in Japan. We drove right to its barren top and watched the steam rise out the crater’s mouth. Wow. The surrounding area has lots of natural terrain to explore; it phases rapidly from desert-like to luscious. (Check locally before you head up, as sometimes Aso is closed for safety.) Nearby Aso Shrine was significantly damaged by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes and is under reconstruction, but its surrounding streets are gorgeous; take the “Mizuki Stroll” to explore fascinating local shops; be sure to have lunch at Teppanyaki Aso Mabo, and check out the antique clock shop on the hour. You’ll also find delicious coffee and pastries here for afternoon tea. Finish at Daikanbou, the main viewpoint of Mount Aso, offering great close-of-day views of the volcano’s craters and peaks.

Stay: Kikuchi Hot Spring, Seiryuso, is a traditional Japanese hotel with the warmest of hospitality – it feels like a homestay. The adjacent onsen offers private rooms for solo or family use. For a more international feel, opt for the Hotel Nikko Kumamoto or ANA Crowne Plaza Kumamoto New Sky.

Day 5

Kumamoto Castle is great for people of all ages. The castle itself was badly damaged in the earthquake but the surrounding grounds are full of history, with markets to explore and food to try; plus, the museum has a fab costume experience and a bunch of fun interactive displays. Speaking of costumes, in Kumamoto’s Suizenji Garden you can rent a traditional kimono and wander around the manicured grounds feeling beautiful. If you take a liking to your particular garment, explore the markets around the gardens and find the vintage stall selling beautiful and affordable silk kimonos. A lunch at Sakuramichi, at the foot of the castle, is a lovely local experience that tastes as good as it looks.

Japan Aoshima kumamoto
Kumamoto’s Suizenji Garden

Fact file

Flights: Kagoshima is easy to reach from Singapore, either via a direct flight to Fukuoka in the north of Kyushu (six hours), or via a connecting flight of approximately two hours from Tokyo, Seoul or Shanghai.

Land transport: Book a car online from one of the many hire companies and collect at the airport. Ask for an English GPS and an ETC (electronic toll collection) card when you book (welcomekyushu.com/kyushu-road-trip/).

Not a driver? Japan has an amazing public transport system. Buy a JR Kyushu Rail Pass (jrkyushu.co.jp/English/railpass/railpass. jsp) or a SUNQ Pass for the buses (sunqpass.jp/english/index.shtml).

Planning and information: To get planning, head to Kyushu’s official website,

welcomekyushu.com.

Japan Aoshima Kirishima
apan Aoshima Mr Aso Pray flags
Barren Mount Aso
Japan Aoshima
Japan Aoshima kikuchi hot spring
Japan Aoshima Mt. Aso Crater
Mount Aso’s steaming crater
Japan Aoshima Takachiho Gorge
Takachiho Gorge
Japan Aoshima beef dinner
Japan Aoshima kirishma shrine view
Kirishma shrine
Mt. Aso Plain

Like this? Read more at our travel section.

A quick guide to Hong Kong

Best short breaks from Singapore

Where to stay and play in Hong Kong

This article first appeared in the February 2019 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!

Categories: Asia Travel Tags: Japan Kyushu Kyushu Japan Olympics 2020 Rugby World Cup 2019

Expat Living

Expat Living has everything to help you make the most of living in Singapore! We've got information on neighbourhoods, things to do and see, dining, entertainment, schools, travel, fashion, furniture, finance, health and beauty. And more!

You May Also Like

The Fullerton Hotel kids room tent

4 fun family staycays – with deals!

Covid-19 travel woman mask airport

COVID-19 travel: What to expect

A family staycation at MBS!

Primary Sidebar

Editor's Picks

where to buy furniture in singapore

Where to buy furniture in Singapore – online too!

royal albatross yacht singapore romantic dinner

39 Fun Things To Do In Singapore

kate marsden facial review iyac med spa aesthetic clinic

Best facials in Singapore: Our reviews!

brunch st regis singapore

Best Brunch Places in Singapore: Champagne Sunday Brunches

hair salon in Singapore before and after

Best Hair Salon In Singapore – Our Favourites

What's On

Singapore International Photography Festival exhibition

Singapore International Photography Festival 2020

Stone Stacks Stefanie Hauger solo exhibition Miaja Art Collections

Stone Stacks

ThisConnect - Threading Worlds

ThisConnect – Threading Worlds

#DrivingTomorrow pop-up exhibition by Porsche Singapore

#DrivingTomorrow pop-up exhibition by Porsche Singapore

Battle between Rama and Ravana Faith Beauty Love Hope Our Stories, Your ACM Asian Civilisations Museum

Faith Beauty Love Hope – Our Stories, Your ACM

Perfect Stranger by Dawn Ng asian civilisations museum exhibition

Perfect Stranger

Expat Living Singapore 🇸🇬

expatlivingsg

Open
Get our February issue delivered to you! To order, visit 👉 expatliving.sg/mag/ig

In this issue, go behind the lens and meet a couple who married under COVID restrictions, check out Greek restaurants for your Valentine’s Day dinner (and what to wear for it!), shop for fun kids’ furniture and find out how to win some stunning jewellery!
Open
Friday Giveaway! 

We love competitions and we have a fantastic 1-night stay in a Family Suite up for grabs with complimentary breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children at the InterContinental Singapore. 

To stand a chance to win, all you need to do is tag friends, follow @expatlivingsg and @interconsin on Instagram, then click on the link in our stories to enter. 

We will choose a winner on 5th February, so hurry and enter now. 

Good luck!  #intercontinentalsingapore #expatlivingsg #expatlife #singapore #intercontinentalLife #relax #vacationlife #staycation #win #familyfun #beautifulhotels #funhotel
Open
If the men in your life don’t like shopping around too much you can save your sanity by sending them the link to our article on the 10 best places to buy shirts 👔 

The link is on our stories
Open
Don’t we all love a home makeover! 

If you are looking for some easy, low-commitment ways to spruce up your home for the new year we have six tips on how to do a home makeover from Caroline Chin Geyler (link on our stories) she’s the founder and principal stylist of award-winning interior styling firm Arete Culture. 

The company is a four-time Gold Winner in our Expat Living Readers’ Choice Awards (2017-2020) in the interior design and home styling category so they certainly know their stuff. 

As well as some fab tips she’s offering a special Chinese New Year makeover offer, too. At last our homes can look as stunning as these do @areteculture
Open
Guys: did you know that your skin is structurally different from that of ladies? For most men, androgen (testosterone) stimulation results in skin that’s thicker and tougher than women’s skin. This also means you might need something more than just your wife’s, mum’s or sister’s moisturiser or face wash! 

Lumin was founded on this concept; this California-based online store offers simple yet effective skincare for men, tailored to different skin types and concerns. So, whether you’re looking for a good face cleanser or a moisturiser for men, this is one brand to check out.

To differentiate Lumin from other men’s skincare brands, founders Richard Hong and Darwish Gani flew to South Korea to work on formulas that benefit the thicker and more stubborn skin constructs of men. Most of the ingredients used are powerful plant-based extracts like ginger root, rosemary, coffee and shea butter. The paraben-free and cruelty-free brand also makes a point of avoiding unnecessary nasties commonly associated with popular off-the-shelf products.

If it’s your first time shopping for men’s skincare, you’ll be glad to know that the Lumin experience is simple and fuss-free. Just fill out a brief questionnaire and you’ll get a personalised skincare regime that’s suited to your skin type and lifestyle. You can choose to go with a one-time purchase or have your products delivered on a subscription basis. Alternatively, shop from the curated range of skincare sets catered to different budgets and preferences.

Read about our readers review on our stories
Open
We are completely in love with the new Bvlgari Parfum Allegra that lets you customise your own scent...how cool is that! 
 
Step 1 - select your base fragrance 
Step 2 - personalise your fragrance with a magnifying essence 

The bottles are so pretty we want them all 💕 
 
The Allegra collection is available online at bulgari.com/en-sg and in-store at the Takashimaya Department Store from 19th January and if you can’t wait they also have a pop up only for today at ION SKY
Open
Say hello to our latest Kids' Guide! Want a free copy delivered to you? Visit 👉 expatliving.sg/KG and place your order before 30 January.
 
🧸 The guide has everything from finding an obstetrician and caring for your newborn, to fun activities and choosing the right schools for your child. There’s also lots of useful advice from other mums and dads.
Open
We love finding cool places to check out at weekends.

The Whiskey Library at the chic Vagabond Club Hotel is a must for Whiskey lovers. 

Be entertained by bespoke adventures such as specially curated (sung and told) Jazz stories, intimate theatre sessions, book readings, artist evenings, musical showcases, and even independent film premieres whilst enjoying delightful small bites. 

With a choice of over 1,000 rare and unique whiskeys you can even book a cool Staycation so you don’t have to travel home! @thevagabondclub
Open
So if you are still managing to cling onto dry January or still pondering whether to do dry February (like some of us here at EL), then you must check out our round up (link on stories) of alcohol free drinks to stock up on...we also spotted some pretty cool cocktail recipes on the links to help you out🍸🍹
Open
We are on the lookout for cute baby pics for our next issue. Have you or a friend just had a baby? Send over a baby pic with the date of birth and parents names to editorial@expatliving.sg and we'll feature them in our next issue (swipe to see an example of our baby noticeboard). Tag some friends in this post to share their news with us. 

All babies will receive a free personalised print from the gorgeous @hellosammyeve worth $150 (see 3rd pic). 

We just can’t wait to see the pics of those cute bubbas👶
Open
We are craving those pineapple tarts from @littlehouseofdreams packaged in a pretty eco-friendly canister with an engraved bamboo lid.

Check out their pretty gifts, hampers and roasts to help you usher in the year of the 🐂 

15% off regular items and 10% off gift sets until 31st Jan
Open
Hunting for new foodie places is a tough job but someone has to do it! 

Check out our stories link for a few new hot spots to try. There are more listed in our January print issue and others springing up next month!

Tag your favourite hot spots in our comments, we are always on the lookout 👀 🍽🍷🍻🍹
Open
We had some wonderful  celebrations today for our amazing Editor in Chief Rebecca. Happy Birthday and lots of love from all of the EL team ❤️ x
Open
We love cocktails in a can, what an easy start to kick off your weekend. Available in Espresso Martini, Margarita, Pineapple Daiquiri & Negroni - yum!  Order @curatif
Open
Time to get moving!

Our fitness experts share top tips helping to stick to those New Years resolutions 🏋️ 🧘‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ 

Link in our stories
Open
The rain and cold winds getting you down? A warm beverage and maybe a good book to snuggle up to might just chase the blues away!

If hot chocolate is too mainstream for you, could we offer up this red velvet alternative? @littlefarms have a wide selection of oat milks, almond milks and soy milk options. 

Since it's #Veganuary, we recommend using dairy free milks to recreate this recipe....

2 cups non-dairy milk of choice
4 medjool dates (pitted)
1 tablespoon cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon beet powder

Add the milk and dates into a saucepan.
Heat, over medium, until it reaches a simmer. Add the warm milk with the dates and the remaining ingredients into a high speed blender.
Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Serve and enjoy! 

Image and recipe courtesy of @darngoodveggies
Open
Read our January issue on any device for free! To get started, visit 👉 expatliving.sg/digital/IG
In this issue, step inside a heritage shophouse, find out where our readers buy their carpets and dining tables, discover amazing glamping locations, plus find out how you can win a glamorous home decor prize worth over $7K!
Open
🎉 We're so pleased to announce the winners of our Readers' Choice Awards! Congrats to all the companies who were voted among the best in Singapore, and to the voters who won the amazing prizes. See the full results online now at 👉 expatliving.sg/readerschoice

.
#expatlivingsg #sgbusinesses #singaporebusiness #elsgreaderschoice
Open
What better way to choose movers than to get the inside scoop from happy customers themselves.

We hear from some individuals and families about their successful moves. 

Whether you’re relocating across the globe or just moving to the condo next door, you’re probably going to need some professional and reliable help to pack and transport for you so check out some recommendations in our stories
Open
Now, to start the new year off with a bang, @areteculture is excited to give one lucky winner a home décor essentials package to refresh their space!  Read more about this amazing giveaway here 👉🏻 www.expatliving.sg/comp-arete  #expatliving #singaporelife #areteculture #giveaway #expatsingaporelife #beinittowinit #homedecor #goodluck.
  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2021 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.