| Kyushu offers something for everyone, from | | | | exquisite scene. |
| urban buzz to natural escapes, ranging from | | | | |
| great shopping experiences at Fukuoka's Canal | | | | After visiting the lake, tourists can head to |
| City Hakata to the indulgent hot springs | | | | one of the most famous castles in Japan, |
| baths at Beppu. | | | | Kumamoto Castle. Most of the present castle |
| | | | buildings, including the large and small |
| Japan's third-largest island, Kyushu is an | | | | castle tower, are reconstructions dating from |
| early centre of Japanese civilisation and | | | | the 1960s. The interior of the castle is a |
| offers many historic treasures, modern cities | | | | modern museum. After visiting these historic |
| and natural beauty. Tourists are drawn to | | | | sites, take a break to indulge your shopping |
| Nagasaki because it was the city which | | | | fantasies by going to Kami Tori and Shimo |
| suffered an atomic bomb attack during World | | | | Tori - the main shopping belt in downtown |
| War II on Aug 9, 1945. There is the Atomic | | | | Kumamoto. |
| Bomb Museum located in the Peace Garden, | | | | |
| which is well worth a visit. The exhibition | | | | Another excellent place for shopping is Canal |
| shows the damage caused by the blast, the | | | | City Hakata in Fukuoka. Calling itself a |
| ruins of Urakami Cathedral and the rescue and | | | | "city within a city", attractions here |
| relief activities. A Statue of Peace stands | | | | include numerous shops, cafes, restaurants, a |
| in the middle of the garden to commemorate | | | | theatre, game centre, cinemas, two hotels and |
| the atomic blast. | | | | a canal, which runs through the complex. |
| | | | Hawks Town is also a good place to go on a |
| Another interesting place to visit is Huis | | | | shopping spree. It's a two-storey mall with a |
| Ten Bosch, which gives you a taste of Europe | | | | cinema, the giant game centre, Namco |
| in Asia. One of the highlights of the Dutch | | | | Wonderpark, Hard Rock Cafe and 28 shops |
| theme park is the replica of Queen Beatrix of | | | | including Gap Clothing and Nike. |
| the Netherland's official residence. Located | | | | |
| in the palace is an art museum which hosts | | | | Kyushu is also a popular tourist destination |
| exhibitions of works by Japanese and | | | | because of the Mount Aso National Park. The |
| international artists. | | | | park boasts the world's largest volcanic |
| | | | crater. Close to Mount Aso is Beppu, which is |
| There is a massive mural within the palace | | | | famous for its hot springs. It has nine |
| painted by renowned Dutch painter Rob | | | | jigoku or "hells", which are nine spectacular |
| Scholte, which took four years to complete. | | | | hot springs for viewing, rather than bathing. |
| You might be tired after visiting the museum, | | | | Beppu's most famous site is the bright-red |
| so take a trip to Shimabara and check into an | | | | Boiling Blood Pond, Chi-no-ike Jigoku. |
| onsen hotel to enjoy a hot spring bath. There | | | | |
| is so much natural spring water in Shimabara, | | | | After enjoying these natural sites, you may |
| both hot and cold, that it runs through the | | | | want to visit Hello Kitty Land. Also known as |
| streets. One picturesque spot, the Carp | | | | Harmonyland, the place is an outdoor theme |
| Street, has colourful koi swimming in the | | | | park nestled in the natural splendour of Oita |
| canals. | | | | prefecture. It offers attractions with |
| | | | state-of-the-art technology, a schedule of |
| You'll also want to visit one of the jewels | | | | fun events, and a chance to meet the Sanrio |
| of Kumamoto, the 300-year-old Suizenji Park. | | | | characters. Harmonyland teaches visitors |
| At the east of the park, there is | | | | about Oita's natural environment and cultural |
| Horaitsukiyama, which is made to look like Mt | | | | heritage while celebrating the joy of |
| Fuji. Three islands float in the lake and | | | | friendship and caring. |
| beautifully trimmed pine trees enhance the | | | | |