Visit Oita

Built in 1914, Mojiko Station was designated Japan's first railway station building to receive Important Cultural Property status in 1988, making it one of Kyushu's most historically significant structures. This station building once served as the gateway to Moji Port, an international trade port connecting Japan and the Asian continent, and was the starting point (and terminus) for Kyushu's railways.

The wooden station building, incorporating Renaissance elements, exudes a magnificent and nostalgic atmosphere that speaks to this history of international exchange.

Mojiko Retro faces the Kanmon Straits, characterized by its landscape of retro buildings. Mojiko was once counted among Japan's three major ports alongside Yokohama and Kobe as an international trade port. Must-see spots include the beautiful brick station building, Mojiko Station, where you can experience the atmosphere of that era. At night, the entire area is illuminated, offering a fantastical atmosphere distinct from daytime.

The hell steaming process is simple: place your preferred ingredients on a steaming basket, put it in the hell steaming pot, and wait until they're tender.

Some facilities provide ingredients, while others allow you to bring your own purchased items—choose whichever suits your preference. Steaming times are roughly: - Soft vegetables and fish: 5–15 minutes - Eggs: 10 minutes - Root vegetables like sweet potatoes and lotus root: about 20 minutes We recommend separating your baskets by ingredient and timing them with a timer.

Kumamoto Castle is counted among Japan's Three Great Castles. From the top floor of the main keep, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the cityscape and the magnificent Aso mountain range. A large ginkgo tree stands before the keep, turning a vivid golden color in autumn, further enhancing the castle's majestic scenery. Though damaged in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, it has since been restored and now stands as a symbol of recovery and hope, lifting the spirits of the people of Kumamoto.

A traditional strolling Japanese garden created by the Hosokawa family, feudal lords of Kumamoto. Centered around a pond fed by abundant underground water flowing from Mount Aso, it offers beautiful scenery throughout the seasons. A green artificial hill resembling Mount Fuji and the tea house “Kokindenju-no-ma” by the pond's edge shape the garden's elegant scenery. Within the grounds stands “Deizumi Shrine,” dedicated to the Hosokawa family, where pure sacred water known as the “Water of Longevity” springs forth. The “Inari Shrine,” with its row of vermilion torii gates, is also a popular photo spot.

This is the base of operations for Kumamon, who travels both domestically and internationally in his roles as Sales Director and Happiness Director for Kumamoto Prefecture.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions, including the “360-Degree Stage” where Kumamon performs almost every day, photo spots, and AR games using large screens. (Please check the official website for the stage schedule.)

With exclusive merchandise available only at the Square and limited-edition café menu items featuring Kumamoto specialties, this is a place where people of all ages can have a great time.

After dinner, relax at a hotel in the city center. The downtown area offers superb access to major tourist spots, shopping arcades, the bus terminal, and the city tram. It's the perfect base whether you want to enjoy the lively nightlife a little longer or return to your hotel to prepare for tomorrow.

Japan's oldest surviving Christian architecture, a National Treasure, and a component asset of the World Heritage site “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki and Amakusa Regions.” Originally built for foreign residents during the late Edo period (mid-19th century). Dedicated to the “Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan,” its façade faces Nishizaka, the site of their martyrdom. Shortly after its completion in 1865, hidden Christians who had concealed their faith for decades visited and confessed their beliefs. This became the miraculous stage for the “Discovery of Hidden Christians,” an event recorded in world religious history. The light filtering through the approximately 100-year-old stained glass windows adorning the interior is also a must-see.

A popular tourist spot brimming with exotic charm, spread across the hills of Minamiyamate offering spectacular views of Nagasaki Port. The garden features relocated and restored historic Western-style buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties by the national government, including the Former Glover Residence—Japan's oldest wooden Western-style building and a component asset of the World Heritage site “Industrial Revolution Sites of Meiji Japan.” Stroll along the stone-paved paths where seasonal flowers bloom, evoking the atmosphere of the past. The view from the hilltop is breathtaking. Legend has it that finding the hidden Heart Stone within the garden makes your love come true. The seasonal nighttime illumination is also romantic and highly recommended.

Built in 1636 by order of the Tokugawa shogunate, this artificial island served as Japan's only gateway to Europe for approximately 200 years during the Edo period, becoming the starting point for Japan's modernization. After Japan opened its doors and Dejima's role ended, the surrounding area was reclaimed and connected to the mainland. Today, the early 19th-century streetscape has been meticulously restored based on detailed research. Visitors can tour trading posts and residences, or rent kimonos for a stroll, feeling as if they've slipped back in time. Crossing the “Omotemon Bridge,” completed in 2017, allows entry through the original main gate.

One of Japan's three major Chinatowns alongside Yokohama and Kobe. The vibrant Chinese gates surrounding it evoke an exotic atmosphere. About 40 shops, including Chinese restaurants and variety stores, are packed into a compact crossroads measuring roughly 250m in all directions. For strolling, enjoy hot “kakuni manju” buns and Chinese sweets as you walk. For dinner, why not switch things up from the noodle dishes of the day and try a variety of authentic Chinese cuisine? It's a spot where you can enjoy Nagasaki's lively nightlife and gourmet offerings even in a short time.

A landmark offering panoramic views of Nagasaki's nightscape. Dubbed the “10 Million Dollar View,” it's recognized alongside Monaco and Shanghai as one of the “New Three Great Night Views of the World.” The bowl-shaped terrain, surrounded by mountains, creates a three-dimensional panorama of lights centered on Nagasaki Port. To reach the summit, you can take the “Ropeway” for a 360-degree aerial stroll, or the “Slope Car” for a leisurely view of the scenery from mid-mountain. Enjoy the spectacular glow that caps off your Nagasaki night.

Rest comfortably at a hotel in the city center. This area offers excellent access to Nagasaki Station, a major transportation hub, and tram stops connecting to key locations throughout the city. It's perfect for unwinding while savoring the afterglow of the night view or getting an early rest to prepare for tomorrow.

A park built around the epicenter of the atomic bomb dropped on August 9, 1945. The “Peace Memorial Statue” atop the hill raises its right hand toward the sky symbolizing “the threat of the atomic bomb,” extends its left hand horizontally symbolizing “peace,” and its closed eyelids symbolize praying for “the repose of the victims' souls.” The “Fountain of Peace” bears the poignant inscription of a victim who wandered seeking water: “My throat was parched beyond endurance.” At the epicenter where the bomb fell, a black granite monument stands quietly marking the spot. Here, visitors confront history and deeply engrave the preciousness of lasting peace in their hearts.

Adjacent to Peace Park, this museum conveys the devastation of the atomic bombing and the preciousness of peace to future generations. Inside, the exhibition begins with scenes of peaceful daily life before the bombing, abruptly transitioning to an area recreating Nagasaki immediately after the blast. Shocking exhibits are displayed, including glass bottles warped by heat rays, charred lunch boxes, and a clock frozen at 11:02. This is a place to deeply learn about the full extent of the damage caused by the atomic bomb, the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, and the preciousness of peace. While some exhibits may be difficult to look at, knowing the facts of what happened in Nagasaki connects us to future peace.

A specialized museum where visitors can experience the essence of Arita ware's history and beauty. Its distinctive feature is the charming building, renovated from an Edo-period stone warehouse. Inside, valuable antique ceramics are systematically displayed, ranging from early simple blue-patterned porcelain to the richly decorated colored porcelain that evolved over time, and culminating in masterpieces created with the highest level of craftsmanship. Particularly noteworthy is the Important Cultural Property “Large Plate Depicting Arita Pottery Makers at Work,” which illustrates the production process of Arita ware at the time. Visitors can thoroughly appreciate the flow of Arita ware's approximately 400-year history and the pinnacle of its craftsmanship.

This shrine, unique to the hometown of Arita ware, is characterized by enshrining the “God of Pottery.” Its main attraction is the “Porcelain Great Torii Gate,” also a nationally registered tangible cultural property. The blue patterns stand out beautifully against the smooth white porcelain surface, creating a striking contrast with the blue sky. Additionally, the shrine grounds resemble an open-air museum, featuring Arita ware komainu guardian dogs, large water jars, and lanterns. Rare, adorable porcelain talismans, available only here, are also popular. The grounds offer a panoramic view of Arita town.

Arriving at Kyushu's largest terminal station in Fukuoka. The station's connected building houses department stores, restaurants, and souvenir shops, letting you enjoy Fukuoka's gourmet offerings right away. The convenient subway provides smooth access to popular food stalls and lively nightlife entertainment districts.