Fukuoka sits on the northern shore of Kyushu Island. It’s known for ancient temples, beaches and modern shopping malls, including Canal City. Maizuru Park contains ruins of 17th-century Fukuoka Castle. The central Hakata district contains Tōchō-ji Temple, home to a 10m wooden Buddha and the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum. Stroll through the city centre and enjoy localized food.
Saga is in the northwest of Kyushu, the southwesternmost of Japan’s main islands. It’s known for traditional ceramics made in its northwestern towns of Arita, Imari and Karatsu. Arita’s Kyushu Ceramic Museum celebrates this heritage. To the north sits Imari’s Okawachiyama village with centuries-old kilns. Farther north, Karatsu has many pottery studios, as well as the Nijinomatsubara coastal pine forest. Must visit place for arts and pottery lovers.
Nagasaki is on the northwest coast of Kyushu. It’s set on a large natural harbor, with buildings on the terraces of surrounding hills. Abandoned island of Gunkanjima (battleship shaped island), commemorating the atomic bombing site, one of Japan’s best night views, former district reserved for Dutch traders, Japan’s most famous Christian church Shinchi, Nagasaki’s Chinatown, list goes on.
Kumamoto is on the middle west of Kyushu. Kumamoto Castle dates back to the 17th century. On the castle grounds is the reconstructed Honmaru Goten Palace with its ornate reception rooms and murals, all the castle site are under reconstruction after the devastating earthquake of 2016, it is very interesting to see how they are doing. Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art shows both European works and Edo-period prints. Southeast of the city center is Suizenji Garden, a Japanese landscape garden with a central pond, created in the 1630s. May have a chance to meet Kumamon, a mascot of Kumamoto.
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