Kyushu World Heritage Sites (UNESCO)

Yakushima
Located in the interior of Yaku Island, at the meeting-point of the palaearctic and oriental biotic regions, Yakushima exhibits a rich flora, with some 1,900 species and subspecies, including ancient specimens of the sugi (Japanese cedar). It also contains a remnant of a warm-temperate ancient forest that is unique in this region. (read more at UNESCO's official site)

(Added 1993 as a Natural Heritage Site) 

Kyushu Food Specialities

Buta-no-Kakuni
A small dish of braised cubes of pork-belly that is often an accompaniment to rice or other dishes. Buta-no-kakuni is usually prepared well in advance and slow-cooked to create the melt-in-your-mouth texture it is famous for. And being packed full of collagen means it can be considered reasonably healthy, despite containing quite a lot of fat on the meat initially.

Tempura
Deep fried prawns and vegetables, served with salt or a grated daikon and soy sauce dip. The technique of cooking Tempura is believed to first have been introduced to the Japanese by Portuguese traders in Nagasaki around the 16th or 17th Century.

Ramen Noodles
Kyushu has a wide variety of ramen noodle dishes depending on the region, but is perhaps most famous for its tonkotsu ramen noodles (pork broth). The Hakata district of Fukuoka city is especially renowned for its ramen noodles. At night time many street hawkers spring up on the roads around Tenjin selling this popular dish.

Tempura
Deep fried prawns and vegetables, served with salt or a grated daikon and soy sauce dip. The technique of cooking Tempura is believed to first have been introduced to the Japanese by Portuguese traders in Nagasaki around the 16th or 17th Century.

Kyushu Events / Festivals

Aso Fire Festival
In late March a 350m fire is lit on Mount Aso in the shape of a Chinese kanji character.

Yamaga Lantern Festival
Held in August at the Omiya Shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture, this festival features lanterns, traditional dancing, fireworks and more.

Karatsu Kunchi Festival
One of the major festivals on Kyushu, huge, ancient floats are pulled through the streets of Karatsu in Saga Prefecture during November.The floats are considered by many to be artistic masterpieces of Japanese festival culture.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival
Over 1 million spectators are drawn to this festival in Fukuoka where massive floats are pulled through the streets during July.

 

 

 

 

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