Japan trip | Self-drive through the nature of Kyushu

Despite its association with the tragic World War II atomic bombings, Nagasaki is a fantastic tourist destination blessed with immense natural beauty and a rich heritage. Nestled between the mountains and the ocean on the island of Kyushu, Nagasaki has been an important international trading centre for hundreds of years, with a mix of Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese explorers, traders and settlers. These diverse influences are still reflected in the city's eclectic culture, architecture and cuisine. The Atomic Bomb Museum and the adjacent Peace Park in Nagasaki are a must-see for those who want to learn more about the 1945 bombing, while those looking for lighter leisure options along the Nakashima River can stroll along old stone bridges, enjoy the elegant colonial architecture and beautiful scenery at Glover Garden, or check out the Hamano-Machi mall. A must-do is the cable car ride to the top of Mount Inasa, where a glass viewing dome offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city.

An inspiring mix of ancient and modern, Fukuoka is located on the north coast of Kyushu. It forms the capital of Fukuoka Prefecture and the sixth largest city in Japan. Visit centuries-old temples; enjoy retail therapy at the ultra-modern Canal City Hakata (shopping centre); take in an exhibition at the Fukuoka Art Museum, located in the tranquil grounds of Ohori Park; or enjoy the city's famous tonkotsu ramen - a thick, creamy Japanese noodle soup - at one of its many street markets. Visitors can also enjoy visiting the following highlights: the Momochi Seaside Park, the Fukuoka Castle Ruins and the Shofukuji Temple, the first Zen temple in Japan. Other popular activities include hiking, golfing, swimming, river cruises, coastal cycling routes and fascinating cultural excursions.

Kagoshima offers one of Japan's most iconic vistas: the Sakurajima volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Once a separate island, it was fused with the mainland by a lava flow during an eruption in 1914. Boat trips and diving in Kagoshima Bay (also known as Kinko Bay) offer spectacular views of the volcano and the chance to experience the coral reefs and marine life of the Sakurajima Sea Reserve. Equally attractive is the island of Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its beautiful hiking trails through ancient forests. For a sobering yet fascinating experience, visit the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots, a memorial to the Japanese fighter pilots killed during World War II.

Japan's third largest island, Kyushu lies southwest of the main island of Honshu. An early centre of Japanese civilisation, Kyushu offers an intriguing combination of historic attractions, cosmopolitan cities and extraordinary scenic beauty. The island features rows of dramatic caldera volcanoes, countless hot spring spas, endless rice paddies, forest-cloaked mountains capped by snow in winter, vibrant harbours dotted along the picturesque coastline, and a number of charming seaside getaways. While foodies can look forward to an abundance of fresh food with a range of delicious local dishes on offer in the cities and coastal resorts, nature lovers can explore the remote and rugged interior of the island which remains an untouched wilderness just waiting to be discovered.

Dominated by the towering Japan Alps, Honshu is the largest island in Japan's archipelago. This enormous island is home to most of Japan's population and boasts the majority of the nation's most popular attractions. Visitors flock here from around the world to enjoy the impressive geothermal spas, ski resorts, old castle- and temple-towns, and charming traditional villages tucked away in remote valleys. From the neon lights and pulsing energy of Tokyo in the east, across the dramatic Alps in the central Chubu region, to the tranquil rural beauty of the Chugoku region in the west, Honshu offers an extraordinary variety of scenic landscapes, appealing attractions, and world-class cities. Must-see attractions include: the iconic Mt. Fuji; the historic little town of Nikko; and the Peace Park at Hiroshima.

Idyllically located on the beautiful island of Kyushu, Fukuoka is a Japanese prefecture known for its exquisite natural scenery, excellent hiking, and some of the oldest temples, shrines, and festivals in Japan. Fukuoka is also renowned for its open-air food stalls known as yatai, which sell delicious local cuisine. The eponymous prefectural capital boasts an array of fine museums, art galleries, and theatres. It also plays host to a variety of sporting events and festivals, including the famous Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a 700-year-old celebration featuring colourful parades as well as traditional races, costumes and music. Other must-see attractions include the cherry blossoms and Edo-period fortress ruins at Maizuru Park and Canal City Hakata, a city-within-a-city complete with a waterway running through a complex of restaurants, hotels, cinemas and arcades.

Nagasaki, one of Japan's 47 prefectures, consists of the northwestern tip of the island of Kyushu and hundreds of other smaller forested islands scattered off the coast. While much of the area is characterised by pristine mountain landscapes dotted with ancient hot springs, the southernmost part is occupied by the eponymous prefectural capital, a busy port city best known as the site of a World War II atomic bomb. Sights in the Nagasaki area include the towering Mount Unzen volcano, the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum, Huis Ten Bosch, a Dutch amusement park and the beautiful Shimabara Castle.

Situated along the southeastern coast of the island Kyushu, Miyazaki is a prefecture of Japan with exquisite mountainous and coastal scenery. Visitors can look forward to relaxing on pristine unspoilt beaches, taking leisurely oceanside drives, and exploring the vibrant prefectural capital of Miyazaki City. This pleasant seaside city serves as a convenient base for exploring the surrounding area. It offers an array of attractions including the Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History and the Miyazaki Prefectural Art Museum, showcasing work by local Japanese artists as well as European masters such as Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee. Other must-see sights include the lovely reconstructed Aya Castle and the tiny sub-tropical island of Aoshima, resting 14 kilometres south of Miyazaki on the beautiful Nichinan Coast.

Set against the southern tip of Kyushu, Kagoshima Prefecture offers a striking blend of volcanic landscapes, fertile plains and coastal scenery. Mount Sakurajima, an active volcano across Kagoshima Bay, dominates the skyline, whilst sandy beaches, quiet inlets and subtropical gardens stretch inland. Historic sites, including samurai residences and Meiji-era structures, reveal the region’s cultural past. Ferries connect to over thirty islands, including Yakushima, with its majestic cedar forests and Shiratani Unsuikyo Nature Park, and Amami Oshima, known for its mangrove forests and pristine white sand beaches. Traditional hot springs and onsens invite visitors to relax, whilst seasonal festivals and local markets offer the chance to experience the region’s unique culture and daily life.

Located in the northernmost part of Japan's Miyazaki prefecture, the picturesque river town of Takachiho is steeped in both breathtaking natural beauty and ancient Japanese mythology. The mountainous area surrounding the town is home to an impressive cave, which is believed to be where the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu hid from her rival brother. Visitors can take scenic boat trips to marvel at the beautiful Takachiho Gorge with a number of waterfalls, including the exceptionally beautiful Manai Falls. Other must-see attractions include the Shonenji Temple, the wonderfully relaxing Takachiho Onsen and the Takachiho Shrine, which is nestled in a forest of majestic cedar trees.

Yakushima, located in Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture, is a pristine subtropical island that is part of the Osumi Island archipelago. The island attracts hiking enthusiasts with its lush forested wilderness areas and impressive mountainous interior. Yakushima is best known for its vast ancient cedar forests, with some of Japan's oldest living trees, including the famous Jomonsugi cedar, estimated to be between 2,000 and 7,200 years old. To see this ancient wonder, travellers can hike the Miyanoura Trail, which features an extensive network of trails, as well as conveniently located overnight huts. One of these trails leads to the lush Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine, an extraordinarily scenic area that served as the inspiration for the acclaimed animated film Princess Mononoke.

Located in the northeastern part of Japan's Kagoshima prefecture, the city of Kirishima is best known as the site of Mount Kirishima, a towering group of active volcanoes. This lush mountain area surrounding the city offers impressive hiking opportunities and breathtaking views from more than a dozen peaks. Along the mountain range lies a series of majestic crater lakes, known as the highest crater lakes above sea level in Japan. Hikers exploring this exceptionally beautiful wilderness can take a well-deserved break at one of the area's picturesque hot springs. Attractions include Ebino Kogen and Kirishima Onsen, two of the most prominent resorts in the Kirishima area.

Extending about fifty kilometres south from the Kyusho Island's capital city, Kagoshima, the Satsuma peninsula is known for its exquisite rural scenery and its almost perfectly conical volcano, Mount Kaimon. After a day spent hiking this majestic peak and exploring the quiet natural surrounds, visitors can submerge themselves in naturally heated sand at the Ibusuki Hot Springs or discover the controversial exhibits at the Chiran Peace Museum For Kamikaze Pilots. Other must-see attractions include a number of hot spring resorts and the beautifully preserved Chiran Samurai district, which includes a 700-metre-long street displaying historically intact houses and gardens dating back around 250 years.