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Kyushu
The southernmost of Japan’s four main islands, Kyushu is best known for its mild climate, volcanic landscape, excellent hot springs and ceramics. The gateway to Kyushu, Fukuoka (Hakata) is known for its traditional textile and doll-making industries, its delicious food and for the nearby Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, a very active place of worship where students go to pray to the god of learning. On Kyushu’s west coast, Nagasaki was one of Japan’s earliest designated foreign ports and is famous for Arita and Imari ceramics and for the Peace Park which commemorates the devastation caused by the second nuclear bomb of World War II. Other major sights include the Chinese Temple, Chinatown and Glover House, said to be the setting that inspired Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly. Nearby Mount Unzen, an active volcano, is also a well known hot spring resort. Kumamoto is an old castle town and gateway to the scenic wonders of the Mount Aso National Park. To the south of the island, the seaport of Kagoshima is overshadowed by the dramatic smoking cone of Sakurajima volcanic island. Nearby Ibusuki Spa, on the southern tip of Kyushu, boasts some of the most famous hot springs in Japan and is renowned for its hot-sand saunas. Summer whale- and dolphin-watching tours depart from the town of Kasasa. Beyond Kagoshima lies the beautiful, mountainous island of Yakushima, a National Park renowned for its primeval cedar forests and hiking trails. Miyazaki, situated on Kyushu’s southeastern coast, is a prosperous modern city famous for its palm trees, golf courses and ancient burial mounds. The Beppu hot spring resort, near the city of Oita, is great fun despite its slightly sleazy atmosphere. Dozens of hotel and bathing complexes compete for customers by offering everything from amusement parks and sports facilities to museums, gardens and shopping arcades.
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