Breathtaking Views in Miyazaki %s Modern Fukuoka: Discovering the Southern Charm of Kyushu

Stepping into Kyushu at the turn of summer and autumn, the summer here is known for its blazing sunshine. But the heat isn’t just from the high temperatures and sun — it’s also found in the thrilling festivals and dazzling fireworks lighting up the sky. Catch the final spark of this enthusiasm as temperatures begin to cool. With autumn colors on the horizon, get ready to embrace a feast of fall.

 

In Kyushu, you can enjoy a variety of autumn scenery all at once. The magnificent sight of vast forests ablaze with red leaves is truly enchanting, while Japanese dry landscape gardens accented with crimson foliage bring a serene and joyful mood — an absolute must-see view. Beyond the red foliage, we’ll also explore the many faces of Kyushu. Let’s set off together!

Fukuoka is often the first stop when visiting Kyushu. Upon your first visit, you’ll instantly experience its fashion-forward and modern vibe. The first Hankyu Department Store in Kyushu chose Fukuoka as its location, indeed starting a new trend. Being able to enjoy relaxed shopping by the seaside in this port city is truly a delight. From shopping and gourmet food to entertainment, Fukuoka has it all. After a day of strolling, sit down at Ippudo and savor the famous Hakata ramen, while taking in the mesmerizing ocean view along with the rich broth — an experience like no other.

In Fukuoka, as travelers, we can easily navigate the city and explore freely. Walking its streets, you feel like you’re in a modern metropolis, yet beneath that modernity lies a slower pace, as if inviting you to carefully decipher the city’s codes — codes only you can truly understand. If you’ve managed to read anything at all, it might be the sense of nature and tranquility within the hustle and bustle.

 

Leaving behind the modernity of Fukuoka, it takes just an hour and a half at most to reach Kagoshima via the Kyushu Shinkansen. Once here, it feels like stepping into a TV drama. The setting of the highly rated historical drama “Tenshōin” is based in Kagoshima, located at the southernmost tip of Kyushu. Coupled with the volcanic energy of Sakurajima, the area has long given off a very hot impression. But Kagoshima is actually a town full of unique character — ancient giant cedar trees, steam rising from the sandy beaches, and bowls of white shaved ice called “Shirokuma” in the Tenmonkan shopping street. “Unique” and “one-of-a-kind” are perhaps the best descriptors. The vibrant and colorful Kagoshima was one of the first areas in Japan to adopt Western culture and is now an important economic and cultural hub in southern Kyushu. Why not take a leisurely historical stroll and imagine yourself as the protagonist in a Tenshōin story?

No matter how busy your schedule, steal a moment of leisure. At the Kirishima Onsen nestled halfway up Mount Kirishima in Kagoshima, you’ll find naturally stunning beauty. With wisps of steam rising in the air, the slight distance only adds to its charm. In such an atmosphere, taking in all the scenery is no overstatement.

 

Step into Miyazaki Prefecture, also known as Higashiusuki or the “Land of the Sun.” As the name suggests, Miyazaki gives off an impression of abundant sunshine and being bathed in sunlight.

 

Year-round blessed by gentle sunlight, Miyazaki — whether it’s the scenic Nichinan Coast, the legendary Takachiho where the heavenly descendants are said to have descended, or the castle-town charm of Oyodo — all retain their distinct character. Here, the Takachiho Shrine is a must-visit. Among towering ancient trees, humans seem small, allowing you to deeply feel the mystical connection between humanity and divinity, and to give your soul a moment of peace. Walk along the Nichinan Coast, where winding roads and endless shorelines captivate the eye. Consider stopping at a rest area — either Phoenix Rest Area with its sweeping views of the grand ocean, or Minamigo Rest Area adjacent to a national park. Get close to nature, listen to its subtle whispers, pick up a piece of southern charm, tuck it in your pocket, and say goodbye under the warm sunlight.