Kyushu
Japan's southern gateway, mountainous and volcanically active island.
Kyushu is the third-largest and most southerly of Japan's four main islands, historically known as Kyūkoku, Chinzei, and Tsukushi-no-shima. The regional name Saikaidō once referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands. A theory holds that in ancient times, an independent dynasty may have existed on Kyushu, fostering a culture and tradition distinct from that of Honshu and influenced by southern connections. During the 8th-century Taihō Code reforms, the administrative center of Dazaifu was established to govern the region.
The island is mountainous, featuring Japan’s largest active volcano, Mount Aso, and numerous hot springs, most famously in Beppu on the east coast and around Mount Aso in central Kyushu. The Kanmon Straits separate Kyushu from Honshu. As the Japanese island closest to the Asian continent, Kyushu has historically acted as the nation’s gateway. Its total land area makes it the 37th largest island in the world, slightly larger than Taiwan, with its highest point on Mount Kujū. The name Kyushu derives from the nine ancient provinces of Saikaidō: Chikuzen, Chikugo, Hizen, Higo, Buzen, Bungo, Hyūga, Ōsumi, and Satsuma.
Today, the Kyushu region is politically defined to include seven prefectures on the island—Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Ōita, Saga, Kagoshima, and Miyazaki—plus Okinawa Prefecture to the south. The population is concentrated in the northwest, particularly in Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, with corridors stretching to Sasebo, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima; the eastern seaboard, except for Oita and Miyazaki, is sparsely populated. Politically, Kyushu is a stronghold of the Liberal Democratic Party. While the region has experienced population decline since around 2000, the overall decrease is mild due to relatively high birth rates among Ryukyuans in Okinawa and Kagoshima, and other Kyushu prefectures also have high total fertility rates compared to the rest of Japan.
- region
- Kyushu Region (includes Okinawa Prefecture)
Lore & Background
Kyushu is the third-largest and most southerly of Japan’s four main islands, separated from Honshu by the Kanmon Straits. Its name derives from the nine ancient provinces of Saikaidō that once occupied the island: Chikuzen, Chikugo, Hizen, Higo, Buzen, Bungo, Hyūga, Ōsumi, and Satsuma. Historically known as the gateway to Japan due to its proximity to the Asian continent, the island is mountainous and tectonically active. It hosts Japan’s largest active volcano, Mount Aso, and numerous hot springs, most famously in Beppu on the east coast and around Mount Aso in the central region. The highest point is Mount Kujū. Kyushu’s total land area makes it the 37th largest island in the world, slightly larger than Taiwan. The island’s population is concentrated along the northwest, in cities such as Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, with corridors stretching southwest to Sasebo and Nagasaki and south to Kumamoto and Kagoshima; the eastern seaboard, except for Oita and Miyazaki, is sparsely populated. Parts of Kyushu, particularly Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, have a subtropical climate. Major agricultural products include rice, tea, tobacco, sweet potatoes, and soy, and silk is widely produced. In the north, around Beppu, significant mud hot springs host extremophile microorganisms that thrive in extremely hot environments. Two World Natural Heritage sites are located in Kyushu: Yakushima and a group of islands including Amami-Ōshima, Tokunoshima, northern Okinawa, and Iriomote. The island is noted for various types of porcelain, including Arita, Imari, Satsuma, and Karatsu, while heavy industry—chemicals, automobiles, semiconductors, metal processing, and shipbuilding—is concentrated in the north. Tanegashima Island hosts the Tanegashima Space Center, Japan’s largest rocket-launch complex.
Reader's Guide
Kyushu's economy accounts for approximately 10% of Japan's total economic output, making it the fourth largest economic region in Japan. It has a well-balanced industrial structure, with major production in agriculture, automobiles, semiconductors, and healthcare. Kyushu is noted for various types of porcelain, including Arita, Imari, Satsuma, and Karatsu. The island hosts the Tanegashima Space Center, the largest rocket-launch complex in Japan. Politically, Kyushu is described as a stronghold of the Liberal Democratic Party. Kyushu has two World Natural Heritage sites: Yakushima and a group of islands including Amami-Ōshima, Tokunoshima, northern Okinawa, and Iriomote.
Did You Know?
- Kyushu is the 37th largest island in the world, slightly larger than Taiwan.
- The island's name comes from nine ancient provinces: Chikuzen, Chikugo, Hizen, Higo, Buzen, Bungo, Hyūga, Ōsumi, and Satsuma.
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