Situated at Japan's southern tip, Kyushu is the country's third-largest island and home to popular cities like Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Nagasaki and Kagoshima. With centuries of exchanges with Asian and Western nations, Kyushu stands as one of Japan's most culturally diverse regions.
Here, you'll also find Japan's most active volcano, Mt. Aso, and plentiful natural hot springs, which can be delightfully explored with the wide range of JR sightseeing trains available.
Main Airports in Kyushu
Fukuoka (FUK)
Fukuoka is located in the northern part of Kyushu and serves as the gateway for most travelers to Kyushu. In addition to having the largest number of international flights, the city is well-connected to all major cities in the area, and you can get to places like Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Kagoshima in just 1-2 hours by JR Shinkansen trains!
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Kumamoto (KMJ)
Kumamoto, famous for its "Kumamon" mascot, is located at the heart of Kyushu with Shinkansen connections to the north and south. Kumamoto Airport is conveniently situated close to Kyushu's most prominent natural landmarks, including Mount Aso, Takachiho Gorge, as well as the renowned Kurokawa Onsen. If you plan to go on a self-driving tour, starting from here would be a great choice.
Kagoshima (KOJ)
If you want to explore the southern part of Kyushu extensively, Kagoshima would be your top choice as the starting point. The city center of Kagoshima is only 4 kilometers away from the active volcano, Sakurajima, and there are ferries to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Yakushima. Before leaving, you can also rejuvenate yourself in the Kirishima hot spring area, just a half-hour drive from the airport.