New Attractions on Kyushu Island

Apr 26, 2024

New Attractions on Kyushu Island

Across Kyushu, several new attractions have opened in the past few years. Whether you’re visiting Kumamoto, Kitakyushu, or Fukuoka, there’s plenty to see and do.

1. Kumamoto Castle Reconstruction

The 2016 earthquakes severely damaged Kumamoto Castle. Although the reconstruction will likely continue until 2030, visitors are now at least able to see the interior of the castle again — it reopened in June 2021. This also gives them access to all the exhibits, including the Renewal Exhibition, which covers the entire history of the castle, explaining why it was damaged and how it was rebuilt.

2. Kitakyushu Peace Museum

One of the most famous museums in Japan is the peace museum in Hiroshima, which commemorates the victims of the atomic bomb. Kokura City (now part of Kitakyushu) was the original target for the other atomic bomb. It was only because bad weather limited visibility that Nagasaki became the target instead. Kitakyushu Peace Museum documents this history, including the severe damage the city suffered in the months leading up to the atomic bombs.

3. Zenrin Museum

If you enjoy looking at maps, you need to pay Zenrin Museum in Kitakyushu a visit. It was set up by the Zenrin company, the biggest publisher of maps in Japan, in June 2020. In addition to maps of Japan from throughout history, the museum has some temporary exhibits and a café. It is located on the top floor of the Zenrin office building, just a 15-minute walk from Kokura Station. Plus, it’s just around the corner from Kokura Castle.

4. TeamLab Forest Fukuoka

Across Japan, TeamLab has been opening digital art exhibitions. This new approach to museums makes for some great photo opportunities. The TeamLab Forest exhibition in Fukuoka is a permanent installation inside the Fukuoka Dome entertainment complex.

5. The Outlets Kitakyushu

The area that was once home to the Space World theme park became The Outlets Kitakyushu in April 2022. Located next to Aeon Mall, this is the perfect spot to go shopping for discounts. While you’re at the mall, make sure you pay Space Labo a visit. A modern science museum, it has some great interactive exhibits that are fun for visitors of all ages.

6. LaLaport Fukuoka and KidZania

Another new option for shopping in Kyushu is LaLaport Fukuoka, which also opened in April 2022. In addition to going for the stores, people visit to see the towering Gundam statue in the entrance. The mall also houses a new KidZania. This theme park offers a variety of fun ways for kids to learn about what different occupations are like, with activities ranging from driving and flying planes to being an announcer on a tour bus.

7. Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen Bullet Train

It’s now easier to reach Nagasaki from elsewhere on Kyushu. The Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen is a bullet train that connects Nagasaki with Fukuoka, reducing the travel time between the two cities by 30 minutes. The train goes to the new Nagasaki Station, which opened in the spring of 2020.

With all these new museums, shopping, and transport options, there has never been a better time to visit Kyushu.

TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) from Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons