Kyushu Archives | Tokyo Weekender

Hiker’s Guide to Nagasaki: 5 Amazing Trails To Check Out

Alina Joan Ito — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 08:44:10 +0000

Nagasaki, located on the tip of the southwestern island of Kyushu, is characterized by its harbor cities and the rolling hills that flank them. It also has hundreds of islands, ranging in size from major, inhabited islands to tiny islets. The prefecture has beautiful, varied landscapes, including volcanic formations, mountains and sea views. One of […]

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Nagasaki Islands: The Ultimate Adventure Guide

Alina Joan Ito — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:11:11 +0000

Nagasaki is the prefecture with the most islands in all of Japan, boasting well over 500 of them. In addition to larger, populated islands like Tsushima and the Goto Islands, it contains several uninhabited islets, each with its own distinct charms. But whether inhabited or not, each of Nagasaki’s islands is rife with stunning natural […]

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Fukuoka in Summertime: Festivals, Fireworks and Food Stalls

Wakaba Oto — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 05:54:24 +0000

Nestled on the northern shore of Kyushu, with a rich local culture, vibrant nightlife and a coast that invites you to bask in the sun, Fukuoka is the perfect summer destination. Here, the air is filled with the enticing aroma of street food, and festivals illuminate both the sky and the spirit. Summer in Fukuoka […]

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48 Hours in Beppu: Japan’s Hot Spring Capital

Matthew Hernon — Wed, 22 May 2024 01:30:58 +0000

There’s no other place in Japan quite like Beppu. Located on the southern island of Kyushu between Beppu Bay and volcanic mountains, it’s home to more than 2,000 hot spring sources. Every minute, close to 90,000 liters of geothermal water gushes out from these sources, ranking the city at number one in terms of hot […]

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Living History in Okawachiyama: The Village of Secret Kilns

Alina Joan Ito — Thu, 02 May 2024 07:08:37 +0000

To many travelers, Saga is synonymous with pottery; the birthplace of Japanese porcelain, the prefecture is celebrated for its ceramic mastery, with Arita and Imari standing as iconic towns that have shaped the region’s reputation for producing exquisite wares. Among its famous pottery villages, the diminutive, secluded Okawachiyama is one of the most intriguing. Historically […]

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A Taxi Driver’s Guide to Nagasaki

Kim Kahan — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 06:58:17 +0000

Does anyone know a city better than a taxi driver? They spend their day-to-day weaving through the streets, picking up strangers and delivering them safely to their desired destination, no matter how garbled their instructions or how opaque the language barrier. Blue Cab, in Nagasaki, takes special pride in this knowledge: In addition to operating […]

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The Healing Power of Toji: Japan’s Ancient Bath Therapy

Matthew Hernon — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:40:25 +0000

Meaning “hot water cure,” toji is a form of balneotherapy that dates back centuries in Japan. Historically, guests would stay at an onsen facility for at least a week, often longer, bathing several times a day as a way of treating various kinds of ailments. Though restorative onsen trips are still popular today, most people […]

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The Real-Life Locations Behind 3 Iconic Japanese Myths

Alina Joan Ito — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 09:07:08 +0000

Miyazaki, with its mountainous terrain, clear water and dramatic gorges, is the backdrop of many legends in Japan. Perhaps the gods felt drawn to Kyushu’s stunning landscape; they’ve certainly left their sacred footprints on the history and geography of the mystical prefecture. From Amaterasu, the glorious sun goddess, all the way to her godly great-grandchildren […]

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Tara: A Mystical Oceanside Town Where You Can Feel the Moon’s Power

Anna Carne — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 03:56:41 +0000

Tara, in Saga Prefecture, is known for its floating torii gates and delicious local crab, but it also has a third, rather unique claim to fame: It has the largest tidal range in Japan, meaning that visitors can become intimately familiar with the ebb and flow of the ocean over the course of the day. […]

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An Adventurer’s Guide to Kagoshima

Ben Cooke — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:01:22 +0000

Occupying the southern tip of Kyushu, Kagoshima Prefecture is a region that offers glimpses of Japan you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. From horses roaming free across sprawling meadows to one of the most active volcanoes in the country, which has been responsible for shaping much of the landscape, Kagoshima provides a dream […]

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