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