It had been 34 years since I last visited the island of Kyushu so when I was invited to return recently, I was beyond excited.
Along with two fellow travel advisors, I set off on a five day famil exploring the cities of Kitakyushu, Beppu and Kumamoto and what an unforgettable journey it was.
Flying with All Nippon Airways (ANA) was a fantastic experience from the very start.
Clean, modern aircraft, lovely meals and exceptional service stood out, but what impressed me most was their boarding process: window seats first, then middle, then aisle.
Simple, logical and incredibly efficient. No shuffling or seat gymnastics required!
Our journey began in Kitakyushu, a city rich in history, culture and incredible food. We indulged in sushi, sashimi, unagi (eel), ramen and even fugu (puffer fish) – just a taste of the culinary delights Kyushu has to offer.
We visited Kokura Castle where we tried our hand at traditional weaving. The artisans made it look effortless, while we quickly realised it required far more concentration than expected!
That evening we enjoyed a stroll through the charming Mojiko Retro District, sampling sake and soaking up the atmosphere of this picturesque port town.
Other highlights in Kitakyushu included the bustling Karato Market, visits to Akama Jingu Shrine and Mekari Shrine, and a cable car ride to the top of Mount Sarakura, offering stunning views to close out our time in the city.
Next stop was Beppu, Japan’s Onsen capital and a personal highlight of the trip. We stayed at the delightful Fujiya Hotel, a perfect blend of retro charm and traditional Japanese hot spring hospitality.
A walking tour took us off the beaten path where we visited artisan studios, learned to play the koto and folded origami cranes.
We then joined a cooking class at Space Beppu, making our own delicious dango noodle soup.
Space Beppu is a wonderful initiative by Masa and the team at Glide Japan, offering visitors hands-on cultural experiences such as cooking, calligraphy and bamboo lantern workshops.
We explored Beppu’s Kannawa Onsen district (above) before experiencing the city’s legendary sand baths, a truly unique and relaxing experience.
A scenic drive to Mount Aso, Japan’s largest active volcano, revealed the first hints of autumn colour.
That afternoon brought another standout moment – a Samurai experience in Kumamoto City. After learning about the history of the Musashi-kan Dojo we dressed in traditional dogi and were introduced to Iaido, the art of drawing the sword with purpose and calm.
While our technique may not have been perfect it was certainly a lot of fun!
Dinner that evening was at Kumamoto Yatai Village, a lively yokocho-style dining alley filled with atmosphere and fantastic food.
On our final day we explored the impressive 400-year-old Kumamoto Castle (left), wandered through the serene Suizenji Jojuen Garden, visited Tenmeido Confectionery where traditional Japanese sweets have been made for more than 200 years, and enjoyed sake tasting at Zuiyo Sake Brewery. Who knew there were so many different styles of sake?
Kyushu truly captured my heart. Rich in culture, history, food and warm hospitality. I left already dreaming of bringing my family to this wonderful island of Japan.
