Kyushu – Where the earth breathes in harmony with the soul.

On Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island, where hot springs meet mist-covered mountains, tea cultivation has become a way of life. Yame-cha, grown in Fukuoka Prefecture—especially around the town of Yame—is known for its rich, sweet flavor and exceptional quality, particularly its gyokuro, a prized shade-grown tea.

From Kagoshima Prefecture in the far south comes a popular sencha with a balanced, refreshing taste, while in Saga Prefecture, teas are often rolled into delicate curls known as tamaryokucha, producing a mild, rounded flavor. Kirishima-cha, from the Kirishima Mountains in Kagoshima, is aromatic and often organically grown, nourished by the region’s pure environment.

Kyushu carries an ancient yet living rhythm. Steam from onsen hot springs rises from volcanic soil in Beppu and Kurokawa, while in Kagoshima, the Sakurajima volcano smolders quietly on the horizon. Here on Japan’s southern soul, everything flows from mineral-rich waters to deeply rooted rituals. In Yufuin, the streets are lined with traditional inns where you can sink into cedarwood baths filled with natural spring water. Further south, on the beach in Ibusuki, a uniquely Kyushu-style healing awaits: warm volcanic sand enveloping your body as the ocean murmurs beside you. It’s more than spa culture – it’s a kind of spiritual renewal.

But Kyushu is also a cradle of stories. In Kumamoto, the majestic castle watches over centuries of samurai history. On the sacred island of Yakushima, moss-draped cedar trees have stood for more than 7,000 years. Step into this verdant world, and it’s easy to understand why locals say the island has its own heartbeat.

Kyushu offers a rich variety of experiences. In Arita, artisans shape porcelain in kilns that have burned for centuries. In Miyazaki, Shinto shrines hide among tropical forests where myths still seem to breathe. You might stumble upon a fire festival in the shadow of Mount Aso, or watch locals handcraft delicate somen noodles in the cool mountain streams of Takachiho. Kyushu is a journey that awakens both body and soul.