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Mark is a tour leader for Inside Japan. Though he is now based in Tokyo, he spent three years in Fukuoka, on Kyushu Island, and considers it one of his favourite places in Japan. Here, he explains his love for Kyushu – and why Kyushu Elements is his favourite group tour to lead.
Japan is a country with hugely varied geography, a range of local speciality foods, and a distinctive cultural flavor in each of its diverse regions. In a nation this varied, therefore, choosing a favourite destination feels almost like choosing an all-time favourite movie. A dozen may spring to mind, but pinning it down to one is a momentous challenge.
That being said, I certainly have a major soft spot for the southern island of Kyushu. A rural island famous for its volcanoes, natural hot spring baths, friendly locals, and hearty food, Kyushu offers the chance to get beneath the surface of Japan without feeling like you are missing out on the classic images that the country has to offer.
Kyushu Elements is without doubt one of my favourite tours to run. Starting in the traditional heart of Japan in Kyoto, we soak up the culture and history as an introduction to the tour, before heading southwest to Kyushu via the world famous Shinkansen. The tour carries the group deep into Kyushu island, from north to south, stopping at Nagasaki, Unzen, and Kagoshima.
A botanist’s paradise
My favourite destination on the tour, however, has got to be Yakushima: the home of some of the oldest trees in the world, and the inspiration for Miyazaki’s seminal movie, Princess Mononoke.
Yakushima sits off the south-west point of Kyushu island, and is a manageable 100km in circumference. Within this small island, however, is a botanist’s paradise, and enough nature (including thousands of wild macaques and beaches filled with sea turtle nests) to keep any nature lover happy. The water is fresh enough to be sampled from any passing spring, and makes for arguably the smoothest sake in Japan (my advice, try the ‘Mizu no Mori’). Best of all, however, are the hiking trails that lead you past trees aged over a thousand years old. Walking amongst birdsong and waterfalls, and gazing at these monuments of natural history, is a truly magical experience.
Eating & drinking
Kyushu really comes into its own when it comes to food and drink. Most famous perhaps for its black pork and Miyazaki beef, the rural island also excels in the quality of rice, tea, and vegetables, including famously succulent sweet potatoes, and of course ‘satsuma’ oranges, named by the British during the short conflict that took place in Kagoshima in the 19th Century (Kagoshima was formally known as Satsuma domain). My favourite place to eat on this tour is a small restaurant called ‘Wakana’ in Kagoshima city, where you can eat sashimi, fried flying-fish, and black pork that melts in the mouth. This restaurant is popular with Japanese celebrities, including a current sumo champion, but offers outstanding value for money. You will certainly leave satisfied, and perhaps a little tipsy if you choose to sample one of the hundreds of sake on offer.
Nagasaki’s nightlife
My favourite nightspot on the tour is to be found in Nagasaki. Dejima Wharf is a great place to enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains, and close by is the bar ‘Crazy Horse’. If you are a fan of the Beatles or the Stones, then this may be the place for you. Almost every night the owner is more than happy to call a few friends and put on some live music. The locals are great fun here, and there is a nice mix of Japanese and tourists, making for an enjoyable atmosphere. Getting up and joining in with the singing may be a sign that the band have bonded with you. It could also be the sign of an oncoming ‘sour head in the morning’, but you certainly won’t forget your night out in Nagasaki.
If Mark has inspired you to sample the wonders of Kyushu, visit our website to book a place on our Kyushu Elements tour – or get in touch with one of our experts for more advice and information.