FUKUOKA
Fukuoka is Japan’s startup capital and the country’s gateway to the rest of Asia. Boasting top-level infrastructure and a pleasant environment, the prefecture is also noted for its vibrant and welcoming community of entrepreneurs, tech professionals and investors.
Opt for entertaining eats
How about a superb sushi meal with a side of theatre? Teruzushi combines high-end cuisine with laugh-inducing entertainment in the form of knife artistry, spectacular presentation and breathless commentary by chef Takayoshi Watanabe himself.
Teruzushi 1-C
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Shopping
Feast on fruit
Fruits are all around in Ukiha, a city of orchards where numerous varieties of grapes, persimmons, pears and other juicy delicacies can be savoured year-round. Hit the local rest area to scoop up fruit delivered directly from local farmers.
Ukiha Rest Area 1-C
Sasaguri Roastery is a cut above the competition for those looking to get their caffeine fix in Fukuoka.
Sasaguri Roastery 1-C
05 Shopping
Update your stationery
If you like to write by hand, you’ll love Fukuoka-born stationery maker Hightide’s fashionable and functional pens, letter sets and notebooks. The travel goods section is well worth a browse, too.
Hightide Store Fukuoka 1-C
Home to the bustling Beppu and Yufuin hot-spring resorts, Oita boasts some of Japan’s top bathing opportunities – and great facilities for mobile workers who place a premium on relaxation.
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Museum
Discover the art of nature
This small but engaging immersive museum explores the relationship between nature and people via a host of interactive exhibits and digital artworks.
Art Museum of Nature and Human Non-Homogeneity 1-D
07
Shopping Bid on fresh fish
Hit Fukae Morning Market (daily except Sundays, Wednesdays and public holidays) to catch the fish auction. You can score fresh seafood at bargain prices yourself, and choose from a selection of tempura and other local specialities.
08 Sightseeing
Visit the other USA
Usa, a small city in Oita, is famous for sharing its name with a superpower. The city pays homage to the country with a stars and stripes sign in its train station and the letters USA displayed on the mountainside like the Hollywood sign.
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Leisure
Take a stroll in kimono
Choose from a selection of around 350 kimono donated by aficionados of traditional garb, have the resident experts dress you up, and take to the streets of Kitsuki looking certifiably dapper. Anyone wearing a kimono in the city gets into public facilities like historical museums for free. Reservations recommended.
Usa Station 1-D
Warakuan Kimono
Rental 1-D
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Restaurant
Slurp up chilled noodles
Reimen (Korean-style cold noodles) is one of Beppu’s more unexpected culinary pleasures, and nowhere is the invigorating combo of springy noodles, kimchi, and umami-packed, beef-andkombu-based soup made better than here.
Rokusei 2-D
11 Sightseeing
Follow in monks’ footsteps
This meandering 123-kilometre hiking route links temples and sacred sites used by pilgrim monks some 1,300 years ago. You can hike sections of the path independently or as part of a guided tour.
Kunisaki Peninsula Minemichi Long Trail 1-D
SAGA
Saga’s historic, near-to-nature hot-spring resorts of Takeo and Ureshino are laid-back and boast both excellent infrastructure and artistic clout, providing an ideal environment for mobile workers in search of a place to rid themselves of distractions. The baths are pretty great, too.
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Restaurant
Savour
Along with exquisite Imari ware porcelain, Imari is known for its locally produced kuroge wagyu (Japanese black) beef. Unsurprisingly there’s high demand for this finely marbled, richly flavoured meat, especially when presented on such magnificent crockery, so book in advance.
13
Shopping
Go shopping in Yobuko
The morning market in the pretty port town of Yobuko is held daily, with the understandable exception of January 1st. Squid is a local speciality and here you can find it freshly grilled.
Yobuko Morning Market 1-B
14 Shopping
Visit the home of porcelain
Arita is the birthplace of porcelain in Japan, and this shopping mall is full of Arita-yaki products. Its 22 stores sell everything from everyday tableware to high-end art ceramics, and there’s even an on-site hotel. An annual ceramics festival is held here in spring.
Arita Será 2-B
15
Restaurant
Discover the versatility of tofu
This eatery in the Ureshino Onsen hot spring resort was opened with the aim of introducing more people to the delights of tofu. One highlight is the Hirakawaya parfait, made with tofu soft serve, tofu mochi and tofu shiratama dumplings.
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Restaurant
2-B
Munch on a moreish burger
Saga Hirakawaya Ureshino
17
Leisure
Ride a squid ship
The seven Nanatsugama limestone caves were shaped by the incessant waves of the Genkai Sea over hundreds of thousands of years. The natural masterpieces are best toured on board the squid-themed Ikamaru boat.
Marinepal Yobuko 1-B
18
Sightseeing
Watch the torii gates float
At this mysterious spot you can see the torii gates floating in the sea at high tide, and you can actually walk on the spot where the gates are located at low tide. Floating Torii at Ouo Shrine.
Kaichu Torii at Ouo Shrine 2-B
19 Leisure
Spot the heroes of SaGa in Saga
Saga prefecture makes the most of sharing a name with classic video game series Romancing SaGa. You’ll find manhole covers and monuments featuring characters from the game all around the area.
Romancing Saga 2-C
20 Bar
Drink to the local culture
Serving sake from all of the prefecture’s 20 breweries in Arita and Karatsu ceramic cups alongside booze-compatible local bites, Sagabar brings the tastiest bits of Saga together in one snug place.
Rondo 2-C
© SQUARE ENIX
NAGASAKI
Nagasaki is a rising destination for digital nomads. The prefecture combines advanced tech infrastructure with a plethora of historic sites and an abundance of beautiful nature.
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Visit a border island
Located halfway between Japan’s Kyushu and the Korean Peninsula, Tsushima Island boasts a distinctive cuisine and culture. It’s stunningly beautiful, too, with many natural wonders – well worth the ferry (or fast-boat) trip from Kyushu.
23
Museum
Stare at samurai armour
Overlooking the port town of Hirado from its hillside location and packed with precious artefacts, the Matsura Historical Museum was formerly the residence of the Matsura clan, which ruled over the northern part of Nagasaki prefecture for several centuries.
Accommodation
Tsushima Island 1-A
Engage in some steamy cooking
Hot water bubbles up from 30 individual springs throughout the Obama Onsen spa resort. The geothermal energy is harnessed for delicious purposes at Jyokiya, where you can bring veg, fish and other local ingredients and cook them in a communal steamer (for a small fee).
Yuyado Jyo-kiya
26 Café
24 Sightseeing
Matsura Historical Museum 1-B
Admire the lit-up city
Head to this 333-metre-high lookout after dark for one of Japan’s most spectacular night-time views: a panoramic vista of Nagasaki Port and the city on the hills surrounding it, glittering with a million lights.
Mt Inasa Observation Deck 2-B
Sink your teeth into sweetness
Kanzarashi, made by dipping shiratama (rice flour) dumplings chilled in spring water into a honey syrup, is a unique confection that can only be enjoyed in Shimabara. Try the original recipe at the elegant café Ginsui, established in 1915.
Ginsui 2-C
KAGOSHIMA
Kagoshima isn’t exactly Japan’s best-known destination for international talent and visitors, but the area’s relative lack of name recognition makes it something of a hidden gem. Travel there on the Shinkansen from Fukuoka before the word gets out.
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Ride the rails
Gaze out at the vast waters of Kagoshima Bay and the Sakurajima volcano on the opposite shore while travelling in style on this tourist train running between KagoshimaChuo and Ibusuki stations.
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Café
Dive into shaved ice
The long-established Tenmonkan Mujaki café is the birthplace of the Kagoshima speciality known as shirokuma (white bear), comprising shaved ice covered in condensed milk and topped with a variety of colourful fruits.
29 Leisure
Tenmonkan Mujaki 4-C
Explore cool caverns
More than 300 caves dot the limestone landscape on the small island of Okinoerabujima, and some of them can be entered in the company of a specialist guide. One popular course that’s also suitable for beginners leads through a succession of rimstone pools.
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Restaurant
Ibusuki no Tamatebako 4-C
Get into local flavours
A traditional samurai residence in Chiran makes a fitting scene for kaiseki restaurant Takian’s elevated, ultra-seasonal takes on regional dishes like sake-flavoured sushi and satsuma-age, a type of fried fish cake.
Takian 4-C
31
Leisure
Hang out with retired horses
Home to some 150 former racehorses and other formerly hard-working steeds living out their golden years, this vast ‘retirement home’ in the foothills of Mt Kirishima offers cottage accommodation on the
Horse Trust 3-C
Leisure
KUMAMOTO
For mobile workers looking to get things done amidst stunning scenery, Kumamoto checks all the boxes. Make the verdant plains of Aso or gorgeous Amakusa your office for a week or two, and the productivity gains will come.
Start your day with yoga
Challenge yourself with Thai-style ruesri dat ton yoga on the rooftop terrace of Ayunosato, a venerable ryokan inn overlooking the mighty Kuma River and the ruins of Hitoyoshi Castle. Sessions are offered (for guests only) from April to October.
Morning yoga at Ayunosato Terrace 3-C
33 Leisure
Tread the way of the samurai
See a master of the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi’s Niten Ichiryu school demonstrate his inimitable martial artistry and try swinging a sword yourself at the Musashikan Dojo.
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Leisure
Pick the sweetest of strawberries
Musashikan Dojo 2-C
Nakahata Farm in Yamato promotes and practises sustainable agriculture. Sweettoothed visitors can pick strawberries from December to May, and blueberries from July to September.
Nakahata Farm 2-C
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Challenge your coffee preconceptions
Established in 1964 and run by an 88-year-old master barista, Coffee Arrow offers an amber-coloured cup of coffee that is packed with flavour. It’s no wonder that caffeine addicts from far and wide swear by this charming café.
Coffee Arrow 2-C
Things to do
Set sail at the library
The Kikuchi River runs through the city that shares its name, and it has helped shape the lives of residents for centuries. That’s why architect Kazunobu Nakamura created a network of curved shelves in the city library that evoke the meandering river.
Kikuchi City Central Library 2-C
Calm down over herbal tea
Get to this wildly popular pastry shop early to savour their cakes and pies with a side of organic tea made with aromatic herbs from the shop garden, nestled amidst the lush greenery of Minami-Aso.
Chamitsulle
Bakes & Herbs 2-C
38
Leisure
Jump off a bridge (safely)
39 Sightseeing Admire a venerable water release
This stone-arch aqueduct bridge was constructed in 1854 and plays the role of local landmark with its rather spectacular water releases.
Kyushu’s only bungee jump offers a 66-metre fall from the Ko-Baebashi Bridge towards the Kawabe River. Get out of your comfort zone, have a good scream – and, don’t worry, the safety standards at Itsuki Bungy are second to none.
Make tea by a Zen temple
In the forest of Shingu Zenji Temple, founded in 1405, you can enjoy Japanese sweets made with local ingredients – and you can also make your own matcha in a bowl of your choosing.
Kuma Zen Style Café 3-C
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Explore a hardy fortress
One of the most famous castles in Japan, Kumamoto Castle retains its 17th-century appearance, featuring magnificent stone walls and a pair of beautiful keeps. The structures are being meticulously restored after being damaged by an earthquake in 2016.
Kumamoto Castle 2-C
Tsujun Bridge 2-C
©Photo courtesy: Kumamoto Castle Office
MIYAZAKI
Mobile workers with a passion for riding waves will find Miyazaki an exciting destination. Home to many of Japan’s top surf spots, the prefecture is noted for its seaside scenery. There are also plenty of golf courses in the area.
42
Leisure
Explore
an underwater world
Boasting expansive stretches of coral, the waters off Nobeoka are home to a glorious cacophony of tropical fish. Regular diving trips are run by Nobeoka Marine Service, with experts skilled in picking out the best spots.
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Restaurant
Dine on the water’s edge
The menu at Aya no Sato changes with the seasons and features dishes such as ayu sweetfish and charcoal-grilled game, which are ferried to your table by a small boat. The real draw, however, is the location – this restaurant is located next to a mountain stream, with the sound of the rippling water providing a sweet backdrop.
45
Shopping
Taste the future of Japanese wine
Follow a winemaker on a tour of this forward-looking vineyard overlooking lush plains and the Hyuga Sea in the distance before sampling Tsuno’s internationally decorated wares as part of a thorough tasting session.
Tsuno Winery 3-D
44 Leisure
Meet the locals during a pub crawl
Nishitachi is Miyazaki’s largest entertainment district with around 1,200 restaurants, cafés and bars lining its lantern-lit streets. The best way to experience it is via a bar crawl down Ninjo Yokocho, hopping between the many small izakaya.
Nishitachi 3-D
Nobeoka Marine Service 2-D
© Miyazaki City
46 Leisure
Stay put
The Phoenix Country Club in Miyazaki is one of Japan’s top golf courses. Joining the golf course among the pines is a hotel, an atmospheric clubhouse, a hot spa and a range of restaurants.
Phoenix Country Club 3-D
Discover a one-stop food stop
This recently renovated roadside shop on Route 10 is a must stop for food lovers. The owners have curated a wide selection of the best local produce to take away at the buzzing store, where you’ll also find a gachapon machine dispensing capsules with fresh meat inside.
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Things to do
Live the island life
About 1.5 kilometres in circumference and almost entirely covered with jungle-like forest, the sacred island of Aoshima can be reached by a bridge from the mainland and is the centrepiece of a beachfront community with hip cafés and a laidback coworking space.
49 Café
Devour vibrant colours
Fresh greens from nearby farms get turned into fully vegan Buddha bowls and other colourful lunch specials at this mellow café. Construct your own pita sandwich and dig right in.
Aoshima 3-D
Anandah 3-D
Cape Toi, at Miyazaki’s southern tip, is home to the critically endangered Misaki horse. With luck, these wild roaming creatures can be spotted grazing on the cape during the day.
Cape Toi 4-D
Photo courtesy: Miyazaki Prefecture Tourism Association
Kyushu ’ s best running and walking spots
Kagoshima
Kakeromajima
Stroll along the hedge-lined ‘deities’ road’ in the village of Sukomo and witness a landscape that’s remained virtually unchanged for over a thousand years.
Amagi, Tokunoshima
Boasting a dramatic coastline with narrow capes and rocky outcrops, the island of Tokunoshima is a World Natural Heritage site where bulls roam along the shores.
Onojo Sogo Park
Run in the footsteps of Paralympic marathon gold medallist Misato Michishita and reward yourself with some traditional sweets from Dazaifu afterwards.
Ohori Park
The rubber-chip path around the pond in this central Fukuoka park is easy on the joints while offering some gorgeous views of the surroundings.
Karatsu
White sand and deep-green pines conjure up a dramatic contrast along this 2.4km stretch of coastline by Karatsu Bay.
Ikeshima
Once a thriving underwater coal mining centre, tiny Ikeshima was once home to thousands of people. The mine closed down in 2001 but huge apartment complexes and other structures still dot the island. (Note that the buildings and their surroundings are off limits.)
Kagoshima
Planning a workation in Kyushu? Put these hotels and coworking spaces on your list
With its natural beauty, delicious food and healing hot springs, Kyushu is a dream destination for mobile workers and digital nomads seeking to combine work and play. The hotels, coliving and coworking spaces, cafés and other venues on this list, selected by local experts, tick all the essential boxes – comfort, convenience, high-speed wi-fi – while offering a range of inspiring experiences and opportunities to interact with local movers and shakers. From a temp office with an ocean view to a hotel you’d want to make a home of, these spots are sure to both soothe the senses and boost your productivity.
lyf Tenjin Fukuoka discoverasr.com/en/lyf/japan/ lyf-tenjin-fukuoka
The Millennials Fukuoka livelyhotels.com/en/ themillennialsfukuoka
Share Office Salt salt.today
The Company thecompany.jp Fukuoka
Hotel Karae hotelkarae.com/en
Meme Karatsu memekaratsu.com
Wataya Besso wataya.co.jp
Yuttsura Hiroba spa-u.net/facility/ 2022/12/post-173.php
Ougiya ougiya.com/us
Nagasaki
Colorit Goto Islands colorit.jp
Serendip Hotel Goto serendiphotelgoto.com
Iki Dolphin Park & Resort ikiparks.com
Re Sort resortsasebo.com
CoWorkingspace
H.U.B Unzen reshimabara.net/hubunzen
Fav Lux Hotel Nagasaki fav-lux.com/hotel/nagasaki/ Coworking Space Agora Dejima agora-cowork.jp
Beppu Rojiura gh-rojiura.com/en/index.html
Sunline Beppu sunlinebeppu.com
Space Beppu space-beppu.jp
Office Hood hood-oita.com/officehood
Guesthouse Tsuki Ga Kirei Desune tsuki-chikaken.com
Yuya Suizen matsuyahonkan.com/suizen
Chillwork kumamoto-eminence.com/ chillwork
Mirai Kaigishitsu mirai-k.or.jp
L’isola The Bird lisolathebird.com
Parallab Amakusa parallab.jp/paraama_guide
Accommodation
Coworking space
KIW Miyazaki Trunk 00 kyushuisland-work.com/ workplace/kiw-miyazaki-trunk00
Fuego - Guest House & Beach Café fuego.co.jp
The Villa Share the-villashare.com
Pleasant Hyuga pleasant-hyuga.com
Stairs of the Sea stairs-miyazaki.com
Nichinan Space space.nichinan.tv
Mark Meizan mark-meizan.io
Souu kagoyui.jp/souu
Airaiku Hotel Kagoshima airaiku.com
Hub Satsuma-Sendai City www.hub-satsuma.com
Fujiya Hostel fujiya-hostel.jp
Niclass Koshikishima niclass-koshiki.com
Oita
Miyazaki
Kumamoto
Kagoshima
Haneda Chubu
Itami
HOW TO GET THERE
One of Japan’s four main islands, Kyushu is located in the southwestern part of the country. Famed for its wild and often breathtaking scenery, the island is nonetheless easy to reach from major Japanese cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.
A flight from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Fukuoka takes 2 hours, while the trip between Osaka and Fukuoka can be covered in 80 minutes. Direct Shinkansen bullet train service to Fukuoka’s Hakata Station is also available, with the train ride from Tokyo lasting just under 5 hours. From Osaka, the bullet train speeds to Fukuoka in only 2 and a half hours. The Shinkansen is an especially convenient option if you’re travelling from Kyoto, which doesn’t have an airport of its own.
Once you’re in Kyushu, rail travel is the way to go: train connections are plentiful, with Shinkansen service from Fukuoka toward Nagasaki and all the way down to Kagoshima. For a leisurely journey, consider exploring the diversity of local train lines crisscrossing the island.
MAJOR AIRPORTS & SHINKANSEN
South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Philippines, Hong Kong
RAILWAYS
more tourist information, visit www.visit-kyushu.com/en facebook.com/onsenislandkyushu @welcomekyushu
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Published January 31 2025
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Ryosuke Kondo
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On the cover
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Special Thanks
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