Kyushu Travel Info

KYUSHU is an island in south-west part of Japan.
The terrain is generally mountainous with very fertile valleys much like the rest of Japan, except for the wide plain area at the top of the island - the location of the largest cities of Fukuoka and Kitakyushu.

The climate is slightly warmer and more tropical than Honshu, and southwest part of Kyushu is regularly battered by typhoons each summer and autum. There is many rainy and warmer weather in Summer, and many fine weather in Winter.

Kyushu, as explain at History section, is not only one country, they have each unique culture in small area. Even one prefecture, for example Nagasaki, they have 7 sub-cultural areas. North part of Kyushu, such as Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, they are effected cultures of China and Korea. Nagasaki is different from other prefecture, because they had the international port during isolation.

90,000 years ago, people came from the continent to Kyushu. 30,000 years ago, some remain show they live by hunting. BC3-1century, they started to live with agriculture and it called Yayoi culture.
Kyushu is also well known as the one of possibility of the First United Country, Yamataikoku. Yamataikoku obey 30 countries, and Queen Himiko governed. Around AC4, Kyushu was called SaikainoKuni (West Province).
At this time, Kyushu devided Four countries, Hinokuni (Country of Fire), ChikushinoKuni (Country of Chikushi(god of death)), ToyonoKuni (Country of Wealthy), and HyuganoKuni (Country of Sunrise).
After few century, Kyushu was diveded nine provinces, Chikuzen , Chikugo, Hizen, Higo, Buzen, Bungo, Hyuga, and Satsuma. Kyushu means nine provinces.　After Meiji Era, Kyushu has 7 prefectures.

By Air

All prefectures has theri own air terminals. But Fukuoka air terminal is One of Japan's busiest international hub and has excellent connections throughout Asia and Japan. All the other prefectural capitals also offer limited service within Japan and to a few major Asian cities.

By Shinkansen (Bullet train)

The Sanyo Shinkansen line from Hiroshima, Osaka and beyond serves Kokura Station in Kitakyushu and terminates at Hakata Station in Fukuoka.
A trip by train all the way from Tokyo takes 5 hours and 4mins and costs ¥22000 via the Nozomi Super Express.

By bus

Some bus trip companies provides daily night time bus services between Tokyo and Kyushu, Osaka and Kyushu.
The one way journey between Tokyo and Kyushu (Fukuoka) takes 14.5 hours (ex: leave from Tokyo Station:20:20 arrive at Hakata Statioin:11:50) and costs from 9,000 Yen up to 20,000 Yen.
The night bus between Osaka and Kyushu (fukuoka) takes 8 hours (ex: leave from Osaka Umeda Station:22:20 arrive at Hakata Statioin:7:00) and costs from 3,000 Yen to 10,000.

By Ferry

Fukuoka is also the gateway to South Korea via Busan by ferry, and a few ferry companies (including JR) operate the route.
Also, some ferry companies operate daily night and day ferry servecies Tokyo and Kyushu(Fukuoka, Oita), Osaka and Kyushu(Fukuoka, Oita).

By Train

The Kyushu Shinkansen from Fukuoka (Hakata) to Kagoshima is now half-open.
The section from Yatsushiro to Kagoshima is operational, with "relay" trains running over conventional tracks between Fukuoka and Yatsushiro.
The entire shinkansen line will start operations on March 12, 2011, with through service operated on the Sanyo Shinkansen as far as Osaka.
Many local train, or express train are available to all around Kyushu.

By Bus

The highway bus is one of your choice to transport. Fukuoka to Every major ueban cities in kyushu is connect by bus. Moving the same prefecture, you can move cheaper fares.

By Ferry

The ferry service operates between Nagasaki (Shimabara city) to Kumamoto (Kumamoto city). It takes 45 mins between them and costs from 800 Yen. Compare with car, it takes more than 3 hours and 5,000 Yen.