Top Things to do in Kyushu
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Top 10 Things to do in Kyushu, Kyushu
Discover the best top things to do in Kyushu, Japan including Kumamoto Castle, Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History, Sengan-en, Aoshima Island, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Ishibashi Cultural Center, Kujuku Island, Hells of Beppu, Kyushu Railway History Museum.
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1. Kumamoto Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,704 reviews
Reviewed By dlnun - Nebraska, United States
We spent an afternoon with an English guide from the Kumamoto SGG Club—-Mieko Okada who was our personal guide at the Kumamoto Castle & to the Suizenji Jojuen Gardens. If you go to Kumamoto these two sights should be at the top of your list of things to see & places to go. Hopefully in the next few months more of the reconstruction will allow for an actual tour of the castle, but the grounds, walls, and views were amazing none the less.
2. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,992 reviews
Jarring, horrific reminders of the devastation caused by the August 9, 1945 bombing of Nagasaki fill this historic and educational museum, which traces events preceding the bombing, the resulting destruction and the city’s restoration.
Reviewed By Rumples - Tucson, United States
A friend and I visited this moving museum on a weekday morning in early October. We had come to see how Nagasaki portrayed the effects of the Aug. 9, 1945, atomic bomb drop on the city. The curators have chosen to tell a story, presenting Nagasaki before the bomb fell; immediately after the explosion; and today. They weave explanations of historical details within the story and show what happened through photos, videos, artifacts and much more. The conclusion focuses on the need for peace and the end of nuclear weapons, made abundantly clear by the bomb's destruction of the city and the killing of at least 74,000 people. Those, who survived, would often have to endure physical ailments from the radiation and psychological trauma. As soon as I entered the exhibition hall, I felt uneasy, looking at a giant black-and- white photo of Nagasaki as it appeared before the bomb fell. That's because I knew what would be ahead for the thriving city. A recovered wall clock frozen at 11:02 a.m. soon appeared, marking the exact time that the horrors began. Displays feature English descriptions and include photos of the atomic wasteland that Nagasaki became, along with stories of that fateful day from survivors, including heroic rescue work. Artifacts damaged from the flash of heat range from a 14-year-old girl's lunch box with rice charred from the fire to six green glass bottles melted at the top and stuck together, which were found in a store's ruins. A helmet with the remains of a skull inside is one of the more grisly items. I found information on the bomb itself to be especially interesting. A life-size model of the one used on Nagasaki is displayed and called "Fat Man," because of its appearance. A video shows the military loading Fat Man and transporting it to the plane for the mission. There is also a photo taken from the plane that shows the mushroom cloud rising into the sky after the blast. We went through the relatively small museum in about 1 hour. It cost 200 Y (about $1.89 U.S.) to enter. A corridor leads from the museum to the adjacent Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims. There is no fee to enter the Memorial Hall. Both are located near ground zero for the blast and the Nagasaki Peace Park. To reach the museum, we took the blue line to the Matsuyamamachi tram stop and then walked for about 4 minutes.
3. Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 191 reviews
Reviewed By liannac2016
Huge museum with living reptiles and dinosaur skeletons. It is very educational, dinosaur exhibit has a few min show and the dinosaurs were moving. It does that almost 3 hours covering all 3 floors.
4. Sengan-en
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,276 reviews
Sengan-en is a traditional Japanese garden and stately home that has been passed down in the Shimadzu family for over 350 years. The garden boasts spectacular views of active volcano Sakurajima, and the house provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of a powerful feudal lord. Sengan-en and the surrounding area was fundamentally important in the modernization of Japan. It was here that Western industrial technology was introduced to Japan, studied and used in the creation of modern factories. Shoko Shuseikan is a museum set in a 150 year old stone building originally used as a machine factory. Learn about the 800 year history and culture of the Shimadzu family, and the first steps towards the industrialization of Japan. In July, 2015 Sengan-en and Shoko Shuseikan were recognized as World Cultural Heritage Sites related to Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution.
Reviewed By 1760022 - Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
Driving down from Kumamoto, I chose Sengan-en to view Sakurajima, rather than go to the observatory or the prefectural building and I am glad I did. The gardens were constructed in the 1650's by the Shimazu family, which ruled the area for a considerable time. They couldn't have picked a better spot with its stunning views of Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay. The residence, which was rebuilt in the late 1800's and the rooms show life at it was in those days. There are two restaurants and a matcha cafe, gift shops with local crafts of wood and satsuma kiriko (cut-glass crystal), and snacks, sweets and delicacies. Entrance is 1300 yen for the garden, museum and house (recommended) or just 1000 yen for the garden and museum. My wife and I spent about 3 hours there. This is one place that shouldn't be missed.
5. Aoshima Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 686 reviews
Reviewed By BuccaneerDave - Nanaimo, Canada
Saw this is a guidebook and decided we must go. So happy we did. The whole community has a great laid back surfer vibe. The gardens in the town are beautiful. Countless people came up to us to have a quick chat. Wish we had stayed a night there. The washboard is fantastic. Such a unique and interesting formation that carries on down the coast for miles. This is the easiest spot to stop and have a look at. As others have done, we timed our visit for low tide to get the best effect. Daytrip from Miyazaki-shi. The temple on the island has a very lovely garden area tucked into the centre. Very interesting. Really enjoyed our day there.
6. Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 490 reviews
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park is an extensive leisure park where you can enjoy seasonal flowers. Many events are held here in each season; Flower Picnic (spring), Rose Festival (early summer and autumn) and Cosmos Festival (autumn). Come to the Sunshine Pool in summer, the largest resort pool complex in the western Japan. You can also visit this urban resort park empty-handed and enjoy day camping with a rental barbecue outfits. Other features here at this large urban resort facility include Marine World, the aquarium with 350 kinds of fishes and The Luiganz, ocean view resort hotel. Inside the site, there is also an amusement park Wonder World, which has 23 kinds of attractions including a large Ferris wheel and a large trampoline, Kujiragumo Fuwanpoline.
Reviewed By ArsenalPC - Sydney, Australia
Wow. This park looked amazing on google maps, but when we went there it was even more spectacular. We went here for 3 hours in September. Took a ferry from Hakata port (a very nice 15 min ride, not too many waves and you get to see great distance view of hakata city) to Saitozaki ferry terminal. This park is enormous, best way to see everything without taking forever is to hire a bike. It's around 500Yen for 3-4 hours. There are designated bike paths in the park, however you can take the bike in certain areas where there is lot of foot traffic. There are lot of bike stops where you can park and have a walk through different attractions. There is a bit of everything at this seaside park, there is a zoo, bird area, picnic areas, lot of gardens and is very kid friendly too - such as kids pools, picnic benches etc. Great place to go to escape the city for a few hours, especially on a lovely sunny day, whether your a couple or a family, there's something to do for everyone. When we went, there wasn't too many flowers blooming. This place must be exploding with people during cherry blossom season.... If you go to Fukuoka, be sure to come check this place out, you won't regret it xD
7. Ishibashi Cultural Center
8. Kujuku Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 329 reviews
Reviewed By surambo3 - Shimonoseki, Japan
So-called Ninety-nine Islands are actually composed of 208 islands. "Ninety nine" means "many". We can enjoy the beautiful view from many angles. There are observatories on mountains and hills. Also, you can get on "Kujuuku-shima Cruising" to enjoy view from ocean cruising among islands. いわゆる九十九島は、実際、208の島々から成っています。「99」は「多い」という意味です。いろいろな角度から美しい景色を楽しむことができます。山や丘に展望台があります。九十九島クルージングに乗船して、島々の間をクルージングしながら海からの景色も楽しめます。
9. Hells of Beppu
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,653 reviews
These eight boiling pools resulting from volcanic activity have varying characteristics: one is blood-red in color due to its red clay deposits, another has the largest geyser in Japan, and still another is used for breeding crocodiles.
Reviewed By BZimm08 - Iwakuni, Japan
If you are a first time visitor, you have to start your Beppu tour with the Hells of Beppu. There are seven in total, the first five are all within walking distance and the next two are 3km away which is still walking distance. Each attraction is 400 Yen, or you can get a little booklet for 2000 Yen that includes all Hells of Beppu. All of them are pretty interesting and different. I wasn't a fan of the crocodile exhibit just based on how they were kept, but all the other attractions were beautiful. There is plenty of parking at each attraction and all the walking paths are set up nicely. It is a bit touristy when compared to other natural phenomena attractions but it is well worth seeing.
10. Kyushu Railway History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 377 reviews
Reviewed By Basili0T - Baltimore, United States
old JR trains and city trolley. Good for kids and adults that like old vintage trains. Train station museum nearby as well as a small train that tows 2 cars across one side of town.
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