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.