Fukuoka might be the face of Kyushu for many travelers, but here’s the thing: it’s just one city in a region that spans over 36,000 square kilometers and includes seven distinct prefectures. That’s a lot of ground—and a lot of culture, cuisine, and jaw-dropping scenery—to pack into a single island. To treat Kyushu as “just Fukuoka” is like watching the trailer and skipping the movie or ordering just the appetizer when there is an entire feast for the taking.
Fukuoka City is a fantastic starting point, no doubt. It’s lively, accessible, and loaded with good food. I mean, it’s hard to disagree when you have your face full of tonkotsu ramen. But zoom out on the map, and you’ll see how small a dot it is compared to everything else around it.
Kyushu is one of Japan’s four main islands, yet it often flies under the radar. It doesn’t boast the constant buzz of Tokyo or the flashy charm of Kyoto. But that’s exactly where its appeal lies. Here, diversity comes naturally. The geography alone is wild in the best way: active volcanoes, steaming hot springs, subtropical coastlines, and lush mountain ranges that shift dramatically as you move from one prefecture to the next. This underrated region has all the right ingredients to be a tourism powerhouse, so plan a visit as soon as you can because it’s only a matter of time before it becomes crazy popular.
The best part: you can visit all seven prefectures conveniently, thanks to its impressive railway system and a cost-efficient pass: the JR Kyushu Rail Pass.
BEFORE THE TRIP
If you plan on traveling to multiple destinations throughout Kyushu, make sure to purchase a JR Kyushu Rail Pass before flying to Japan. This pass comes in 3 main types:
- Northern Kyushu: 3 days, 5 days
- Southern Kyushu: 3 days only
- All Kyushu: 3 days, 5 days, 7 days
If you want to go as far as Miyazaki and Kagoshima, then the All Kyushu variant is for you. This pass will grant you access to local trains, limited express trains, Kyushu Shinkansen (Hakata – Kagoshima-chuo) and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen (Takeo-onsen – Nagasaki). For more information about these passes, check out this page!
Upon arrival, exchange your online voucher with the actual pass. The most convenient place to do this is the JR Kyushu Rail Pass Exchange Counter at Fukuoka Airport. It’s easy to find. Upon emerging in the Arrival Hall from the baggage carousel area, turn left. You’ll see a lane…
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