Kyushu region
Kyushu ( right ) is the third largest among Japan's four main islands and the region located in the south-west of Japan, where are eight prefectures including Okinawa. There are historic places, old shrines, hot springs and active volcanoes in the region, where many tourists visit many popular sites. Also many tourists enjoy eating local specialty dishes in Kyushu.
Beppu Onsen
Beppu Onsen, which is located in Beppu City, Oita Pref., Kyushu Region, is one of the most popular hot spring resorts in Japan. So every year more than eight million tourists visit the city where about 120 thousand people live. There are various kinds of hot spring baths in the city as well as there are Jigoku ( hell - right), which are hot springs for viewing.
Also tourists could enjoy local specialty dishes cooked with the steam of natural hot springs. In addition, Toriten ( Japanese tempra-style fried chicken ) is popular among tourists.
Nagasaki City
Nagasaki, the capital city of Nagasaki Prefecture located in Kyushu Region, is a port city where the second atomic bomb was dropped three days after the first on Hiroshima. The Peace Statue ( right ) stands in Nagasaki Peace Park commemorating the atomic bombing.
Nagasaki Port had been open to a few foreign countries even during the period of national isolation through the 17th-19th centuries. Also Nagasaki is famous for crypto-Christians who had survived for a few centuries although Tokugawa Shogunate banned Christianity. There remain many sites related to such history in Nagasaki City.
Takachiho Town
Takachiho is a small town whose population is less than 12 thousands and is surrounded by mountains in the northwest of Miyazaki Prefecture. However Takachiho is a town of Japanese mythology. There are numbers of sites related to legends in the town. Also tourists could enjoy watching Kagura ( Shinto Ritual Dance - right ) showing some of myths.
Also many tourists visit Takachiho Gorge to see Gokase River, cliffs and waterfall, which were formed by volcanic eruptions over 100 thousand years ago. Takachiho Beef, one of the most popular Wagyu brands, is so popular among tourists as well.
Taketomi-jima Island
Taketomi-jima is an island located near Ishigaki-jima Island in the southwest of Okinawa Prefecture, Kyushu Region. There live about 300 people in the small island, whose circumference is 9 km. However Taketomi-jima Island is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings.
Visitors would enjoy walking in the traditional Okinawan village and viewing traditional style houses, red tiled roofs, natural stone walls, white coral sand roads and shisa statues ( above right ). Also beaches are popular among tourists. Rental bicycles and water buffalo carts would be ready for tourists.
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