Natural wonders in Kyushu

Kyushu's landscape is defined by intense volcanic activity and diverse coastal geography. This collection features Mount Aso, home to one of the world's largest calderas, and the persistently active Sakurajima. Beyond the peaks, the list includes the limestone formations of Furen and Nanatsugama caves, the high-altitude Kuju mountain range, and the expansive mudflats of the Ariake Sea. These sites, along with major engineering works like the Hitotsuse and Gousho dams, showcase the island's geological heritage and its relationship with water resources.

Kyushu's Natural Wonders — Map

Hahifuheho / CC0

A

Mount Aso

Mount Aso or Aso Volcano is the largest active volcano in Japan and among the largest in the world.

Pekachu / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Ariake Sea

The Ariake Sea is a body of salt water surrounded by Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto Prefectures, all of which lie on the island of…

Pekachu / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Kiyomizu Falls

A 75-meter waterfall in Ogi, designated as one of Japan's top 100 clear water sources. The surrounding area is known for its traditional carp cuisine and the annual bamboo lantern festival held in November.

Luck-one / CC BY 3.0

D

Nagasaki Harbor

A natural harbor in Nagasaki City, historically significant as Japan's primary window to the West during the isolationist Edo period. It is bordered by steep mountains and hosts major shipyards and international cruise terminals.

mahlervv / CC BY 3.0

E

Bay of Imari

A sheltered bay spanning Saga and Nagasaki Prefectures, famous for its calm waters and numerous islands. It is a known breeding ground for horseshoe crabs and is central to the regional porcelain trade.

河川一等兵 / Public domain

F

Gousho Dam

Gousho Dam is a dam in Ukiha, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Reggaeman / CC-BY-SA-3.0

G

Mt. Kuju

Part of the Aso-Kuju National Park, this peak reaches 1,787 meters. It is a major hiking destination known for its volcanic terrain, high-altitude marshlands, and seasonal blooming of Miyama Kirishima azaleas.

TANAKA Juuyoh / CC-BY-SA-3.0

H

Sakurajima

A highly active stratovolcano in Kagoshima Bay. A massive 1914 eruption created a land bridge connecting it to the Osumi Peninsula. It features three main peaks and regularly produces ash plumes.

河川一等兵 / Public domain

I

Hitotsuse Dam

Hitotsuse Dam is a dam in Saito, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, completed in 1963.Many roads, schools, houses and farmland were submerged in…

J

風連洞窟

A National Natural Monument in Oita, this 500-meter limestone cave is notable for its well-preserved white stalactite formations and the large chamber known as Ryugu-jo.

K

Nanatsugama Limestone cave

A rare limestone cave system formed within basalt rock. Designated as a National Natural Monument, it maintains a year-round temperature of 15°C and contains approximately 1,500 meters of explored passages.

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