Translating as ‘Nine Provinces’, Kyushu sits to the southwest of Japan’s main island of Honshu and offers visitors an enticing mix of cultural and natural attractions. Fukuoka is the largest city in the region while Nagasaki occupies an important place in the global consciousness. Moving south, Kumamoto boasts one of Japan’s most famous castles and Kagoshima is your gateway to natural wonders including Yakushima. Yet further to the south and at significant distance from Japan’s main islands, the Okinawan archipelago is one of Kyushu’s nine provinces however in all other regards is a destination unto itself. Once ruled by the ‘Ryukyu Kingdom’, Okinawa is home to a proud and independent culture along with spectacular islands and tropical seascapes.
