"ASO geopark", Kumamoto

Located in central Kyushu, Aso Caldera measures approximately 18 km from east to west and 25 km north to south. At 350 square kilometers, it is one of the world's largest collapsed volcanoes. Although there is no freestanding mountain called Mt. Aso, scholars refer to the entire area up to the caldera's outer rim as Aso Volcano. *Note that you cannot get close to the crater if it is erupting.

( About 3 hours from Fukuoka Airport )

"TAKACHIHO gorge", Miyazaki

If that appeals to you, put Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki Prefecture on your Kyushu itinerary. The gorge is formed by columnar jointing, the result of the rapid cooling of an ancient lava flow. The view of the gorge from a boat directly up the 17-meter Manai Falls is truly thrilling.

( About 3.5 hours from Fukuoka Airport )

( *About a hour from ASO city, Kumamoto )

"BEPPU JIGUKU( hell )", Oita

is a group of hot springs in the city of Beppu, Oita in Japan. Beppu Onsen is divided into eight major hot spring areas known as "Beppu Hatto". The most significant characteristic of Beppu's hot springs is the richness of its resources.

( About 2.5 hours from Fukuoka Airport )

( *About 3 hours from ASO city, Kumamoto )

"YUFUIN town", Oita

is a refined, up-market, onsen hot spring town in wonderful rural setting towered over by Mt. Yufu-dake, an extinct volcano. The town boast a wealth of cafes, restaurants, shops selling high-quality locally-made handicrafts, boutiques, art galleries and small museums. A compact town it is ideal to stroll around. The main street throngs with visitors browsing, shopping and just generally enjoying the atmosphere.

( About 2 hours from Fukuoka Airport )

"ITSUKUSHIMA shrine", Hatsukaichi city, Hiroshima

is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its "floating" torii gate. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as National Treasures.

( About 4 hours from Fukuoka )

"NAGASAKI city"

is located at the "western end" of mainland Japan. The city's name, "NAGASAKI", means "long cape" in Japanese. Nagasaki became a centre of colonial Portuguese and Dutch influence in the 16th through 19th centuries, and the Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region have been recognized and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

( About 2 hours from Fukuoka Airport )

( *About 3 hours from ASO city, Kumamoto via ferry )

"AKIYOSHI-DAI quasi national park", Yamaguchi

is a Quasi-National Park in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. It was founded on 1 November 1955 and has an area of 45.02 km2. It includes part of the Akiyoshi plateau ( Akiyoshidai ), a 130 square kilometre area of karst topography, as well as over 400 limestone caves, including Japan's longest cave, the Akiyoshido, which has the additional status of a Special Natural Monument.

( About 3 hours from Fukuoka )

"DAZAIFU TENMANGU" shirine, Fukuoka

is a Shinto shrine in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is built over the grave of Sugawara no Michizane (845–903) and is one of the main shrines dedicated to Tenjin, the deified form of Michizane.

( About a half hour from Fukuoka Airport )

"Fukuoka Yatai Food Stalls", Hakata ward, Fukuoka city

Yatai serve up some of the best street food in Fukuoka. These temporary food stalls are set up every evening across the city and draw crowds of locals and visitors. It's not just about the food, though; the close-knit atmosphere is part of their appeal. *Stalls will appear after 18:00.

( About 15 minutes from Fukuoka Airport )