ITINERARIES A Cultural Journey of Kyushu Experience Kyushu's rich culture, from native Japanese gardens to Western-style cathedrals.
Take in the diverse culture of Kyushu, Japan's third largest island
Highlights
- Visiting the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park
- Exploring Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan's greatest castles
- Relax in the tranquil beauty of Sengan-en
How to Get There
Nagasaki 
sticks in many people's minds because of World War II, but the city has a long and rich history as a port city, influenced by many cultures.
Pay your respects at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum . Here, you can learn about the tragic day the city suffered a nuclear attack during WWII.
Nearby is the Peace Park , a serene, green space that commemorates the bombing. You can visit the epicenter, marked by a black monolith. Across the street is the Peace Statue , a large fountain, along with other memorials from various governments.
Take the electric tramway to Oura Cathedral and Glover Garden . Oura Cathedral is Japan's oldest Christian building built by Japanese, while Glover Garden is a park made of nine Western-style buildings that were once home to foreign residents.
Photo: ©HUIS TEN BOSCH/ J-20089
Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park that recreates old Europe with Dutch-style buildings and canals. The theme park is best known for its springtime Tulip Festival and the Kingdom of Lights event in winter, but the park has plenty of events year-round. If you want more time here, you can stay in the park at one of the five hotels.
Kumamoto City is home to magnificent Kumamoto Castle. Despite being damaged in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, the black castle is a stately and imposing symbol of the city. With over 800 cherry blossom trees surrounding the castle, it is a great place to enjoy cherry blossom season.
On the south side of Kyushu is Kagoshima . See the subtropical plants, towering Sakurajima—an active volcano—and sample local shochu.
You can enjoy a relaxing stroll through a traditional Japanese garden at Sengan-en . This former villa and garden are collectively a UNESCO World Heritage site. The grounds are the venue for various cultural events like archery ceremonies and poetry games.
Complete your visit to Kagoshima with a trip to Sakurajima, a world-famous composite active volcano that towers over the city. The volcano emits smoke constantly and has repeated eruptions. Some spots to see include Sakurajima Magma Onsen, Sakurajima Nature Dinosaur Park, and the Sakurajima Nagisa Lava Trail.
