Author's Note
Note

PART 1: A Preview of Kyushu's Small Towns

Scenes from a trip to a small town in Kyushu
Kyushu's small towns at a glance
A quick overview of Kyushu's small towns
How to Use Transportation in Kyushu
Introducing the Kyushu Pass
List of recommended courses using the JR Pass
Basic information on traveling to small towns in Kyushu
Kyushu Travel Calendar
Kyushu Small Town Travel Etiquette
Major historical events that are helpful for tourism
Japanese vocabulary for different situations

PART 2: The Most Amazing Kyushu Small Town Theme Tour

Kyushu's Four Seasons Events
SNS photo spots
Finding animation backgrounds
Major landmarks by region
Local food by region
Regional specialties
Hot spring towns in Kyushu
How to use ryokans and hot springs
How to choose a ryokan by theme
Recommended ryokans by region
Uncovering Kaiseki Cuisine
Hot spring specialties
A special train journey in Kyushu
Gourmet Food on the Train: Ekiben Battle
Kyushu Olle
Kyushu Golf Trip
Don Quijote Daily Necessities Shopping List
Don Quijote Food Shopping List

PART 3: Time to meet the real Kyushu small towns

Kumamoto
Kumamoto travel route
Kumamoto City Public Transportation
Recommended 2-night, 3-day Kumamoto itinerary
REAL PLUS 1 Aso
REAL PLUS 2 Kurokawa Onsen

Oita
Oita travel route
Oita City Public Transportation
Recommended 2-night, 3-day Oita itinerary
REAL PLUS 1 Beppu
REAL PLUS 2 Kannawa
REAL PLUS 3 Usuki

Kagoshima
Kagoshima travel route
Kagoshima City Public Transportation
Recommended 2-night, 3-day Kagoshima itinerary
AREA 1: Around Kagoshima Chuo Station
AREA 2 Around Kagoshima Station
AREA 3 Sakurajima
REAL PLUS 1 Ibusuki
REAL PLUS 2 Yakushima

Miyazaki
Miyazaki travel route
Miyazaki City Public Transportation
Recommended 2-night, 3-day Miyazaki itinerary
AREA 1 Around Miyazaki Station
AREA 2 Aoshima/Nichinan
REAL PLUS 1 Takachiho

Nagasaki
Nagasaki travel route
Nagasaki City Public Transportation
Recommended 2-night, 3-day Nagasaki itinerary
AREA 1 Around Nagasaki Station
AREA 2 Chinatown area
REAL PLUS 1 Sasebo

Real Guide
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Find the One Piece statues hidden throughout Kumamoto Prefecture!
Find the cutest Kumamon in Kumamon City!
The Taste of Fresh Beer! Suntory Kyushu Kumamoto Factory
Hot Springs Tour Pass, Nyutotegata
Kanzaki is a great stopover between Oita and Beppu.
Along the Beppu Hell Trail
Kagoshima Black Pork Cutlet Showdown
Taste of the Night, Yatai Mura
Sakurajima walking route by bus
A sentimental train ride on the Ibusuki no Tamatebako
If you want a special experience, try the sand bath hot springs
A Wise Tour of Yakushima, the Ancient Island
Jomon period in the deep primeval forest
Enjoy the great outdoors on the Umisachi Yamasachi
Let's solve the problem of eating in Aoshima!
Meet a scene from Japanese animation
Let's go deep into Takachiho by boat!
A place to remember history
Nagasaki's three major castella cakes
Nagasaki Champon Battle in Chinatown
Official Sasebo Burger Certified Recommended Restaurant
Huis Ten Bosch, a world filled with flowers

PART 4 ​​Practical Travel Preparation

Travel Preparation at a Glance
Guide to getting from Kyushu Airport to the city center
Recommended accommodations by city
Characteristics of Japanese accommodations
Everything You Need to Know About Ryokan Reservations
Travel Courses Using the JR Kyushu Rail Pass
How to reserve and use a transportation pass
How to reserve and use a rental car
Payment Methods and Currency Exchange Considerations
What applications would be useful?
How to use overseas data?
From Korea to Kyushu, Immigration Procedures
How to fill out the declaration form upon entry

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The details are different!
The only guidebook that provides a comprehensive introduction to Kyushu's small towns.

Armed with the latest and hottest information, "Real Kyushu Small Towns" has been published.
It showcases the charm of the central and southern Kyushu region, centered around Kumamoto, Oita, Kagoshima, Miyazaki, and Nagasaki prefectures, which have not received much attention in guidebooks.
The author, a travel expert and creator, has traveled all over Japan, captivated by the unique sensibility of small Japanese towns, and has visited Kyushu, a region with many unique small towns, several times.
The powerful information accumulated through those visits, the tenacious reporting skills, and the sense to read travel trends were utilized to create "Real Kyushu Small Towns."
We boldly exclude Fukuoka and the northern part of Kyushu, the major cities already overflowing with information, and instead introduce only the small towns that are familiar yet full of new things.
Packed with the most vivid local information and only the essentials for travelers, there is no more reliable choice when traveling to small towns in Kyushu.

You can't miss out on a trip to the suburbs!
Kyushu's optimal configuration, combining the central small city and surrounding tourist destinations.

Kyushu, with the exception of Fukuoka, is mostly comprised of small cities and small villages.
Moreover, since there are many beautiful natural attractions nearby that are healing just by looking at them, you cannot miss out on a trip to the nearby area.
Considering these regional characteristics, the central small cities have been faithfully included, and the surrounding tourist destinations have been colorfully included with Real Plus and Real Guide.
It's an easy plan that allows you to just relax in a small city, or use the small city as a base camp and explore nearby attractions.
Since food and shopping are essential for travel, this article does not focus solely on attractions.
We've thoroughly introduced the best commercial facilities to visit during your trip, including great restaurants for breakfast, popular eateries, street food, atmospheric cafes, izakayas perfect for a drink, and shopping centers perfect for casual shopping, so you won't have time to worry about what to do or where to go.

When you think of Kyushu, you think of hot springs! When you think of hot springs, you think of ryokans!
Everything you need to know about hot springs travel, in-depth

With several hot spring towns representing Japan located here, a hot spring trip to Kyushu is an unmissable experience.
However, since Japan's hot spring culture is different from ours in many ways, you need to know how to use it properly so you don't get confused.
Ryokan, a type of accommodation where you can enjoy hot springs, is a unique type of accommodation found only in Japan. It differs from regular hotels in many ways, including reservations, types of accommodation, accommodation inclusions, and price range.
Because making smart use of hot springs and ryokans requires some knowledge, "Real Kyushu Small Town" focuses on hot spring travel.
Beginning with an introduction to Kyushu's famous hot spring towns, we'll cover how to use ryokans and hot springs, showcasing our criteria for selecting ryokans by theme, recommending ryokans by region and their signature kaiseki cuisine, as well as snacks and specialty products frequently found at hot springs.
We've carefully selected the most frequently asked questions by travelers, and added valuable tips and know-how. By reading through them one by one, you'll be able to master Japanese hot springs before you know it.

In Kyushu, even moving becomes a journey!
A romantic train journey combined with practical transportation information.

Kyushu is also a region where you can truly enjoy the romance of train travel.
JR Kyushu, which connects all of Kyushu, sells passes for free train travel, allowing you to travel all over Kyushu.
In addition to regular trains, there are also various types of trains, such as Shinkansen, tourist trains, and limited express trains. We provide detailed information on the characteristics and usage of each train so that you can enjoy the fun of experiencing each type of train.
Here, we'll provide you with fun and practical information, including information on the types of passes for each mode of transportation, how to reserve them, exchange tickets, use them, and even information on ekiben (boxed lunches) you can buy at the station.
Additionally, transportation methods, including trains and buses, are charted by region, so you can easily see travel times, fares, etc. at a glance.
We boast the most comprehensive transportation information, including information on getting from the airport, traveling between regions, public transportation within small cities, and rental cars for more freedom when exploring Kyushu.

Who knew there were so many different types of travel possible!
Nature? Trekking? Golf? Local cuisine? Specialty products? There are endless travel themes to choose from.

In addition to the hot springs and trains introduced earlier, Kyushu boasts a wealth of pristine nature, including mountains, seas, islands, and volcanoes, offering a variety of ways to enjoy this natural beauty.
You can capture the photos of a lifetime on a seasonal flower viewing trip, or experience trekking into nature through Kyushu Olle.
Golf, which has become a favorite among younger generations, is also a great way to enjoy a round while taking in the beautiful natural scenery of Kyushu.
Additionally, each small city has its own local cuisine, so you can enjoy a food tour to sample unique dishes. You can also collect local specialties to understand the region and reminisce about your trip.
In addition, it is full of differentiated themed travel methods in Kyushu, so you can choose a trip that suits your taste, such as finding backgrounds from Japanese animations such as "The Locked Door of Suzume" and "Princess Mononoke" and recharge your enthusiasm.

Let's try a trip around Kyushu!
Recommended courses by region and best practices for using passes

The charm of small-town travel lies in its leisurely pace and leisurely pace, but if you're a diligent traveler who still wants to see at least one more sight, check out the recommended courses offered by each small city.
The course was carefully planned to allow you to explore every corner of the small city using the most efficient route possible using public transportation.
This is a full 2 ​​nights and 3 days itinerary for most travelers visiting small cities. If you have more time, you can add more nearby tourist attractions each day to fill it up.
This is a customized course for first-time travelers to a small city, offering a comprehensive experience of must-see attractions, must-try restaurants, local cuisine, and shopping.
If you're planning to make your train travel dreams come true using a pass, this recommended itinerary using the most popular JR Kyushu Rail Pass is a must-read.
This is a great value course that allows you to travel to various small cities in Kyushu for an itinerary ranging from 2 nights and 3 days to 6 nights and 7 days, depending on the type of pass, and will more than cover the cost of the pass.