View source for Kyushu

{{Short description|Island and region of Japan}}
{{About|the location in Japan|the Chinese place with the cognate name ''Jiuzhou''|Nine Provinces}}
{{expand Japanese|topic=geo}}
{{Infobox islands
| name                          = Kyushu
| image_name                    = Terra Kyushu 20091028.jpg
| image_caption                 = October 2009 [[NASA]] satellite image of Kyushu
| image_map                     = Kyushu_Region_in_Japan_(extended).svg
| map_caption                   = Kyushu region of Japan and the current prefectures on the island of Kyushu
| locator_map                   = 
| native_name                   = {{nobold|九州}}
| native_name_lang              = ja
| native_name_link              = Japanese language
| location                      = [[East Asia]]
| coordinates                   = {{coord|33|N|131|E|region:JP_type:isle_scale:2500000|display=title,inline}}
| archipelago                   = [[Japanese Archipelago]]
| area_km2                      = 36782.37<ref name="island1"/>
| rank                          = 37th
| coastline_km                  = 12221
| highest_mount                 = [[Mount Kujū]]<ref>{{cite peakbagger |pid=10923 |name=Kujū-san, Japan}}</ref>
| elevation_m                   = 1791
| country                       = {{JPN}}
| country_admin_divisions_title = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefectures]]
| country_admin_divisions       = {{ubli|{{flagcountry|Fukuoka}}|{{flagcountry|Kagoshima}}|{{flagcountry|Kumamoto}}|{{flagcountry|Miyazaki}}|{{flagcountry|Nagasaki}}|{{flagcountry|Oita}}|{{flagcountry|Okinawa}}|{{flagcountry|Saga}}}}
| country_largest_city          = [[Fukuoka]]
| population                    = 12,650,847 (as of June 2022)
| density_km2                   = 307.13
| ethnic_groups                 = [[Japanese people|Japanese]]
| timezone1                     = [[Japan Standard Time]] ([[UTC+9]])
| module = {{Maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|plain=y|frame-width=255|frame-height=255|zoom=6|frame-lat=32.5|frame-long=130.4|type=shape-inverse|stroke-width=1|stroke-color=#333333|id=Q13393883|title=Shikoku}} 
}}

{{Nihongo|'''Kyushu'''|{{linktext|九州}}|Kyūshū|{{IPA|ja|kʲɯꜜː.ɕɯː|pron|ja-Kyushu.ogg}}, {{lit}} 'nine [[Provinces of Japan|provinces]]'}} is the third-largest and most southerly of [[List of islands of Japan#Main islands|Japan's four main islands]].<ref name="main-islands-japan">{{cite web |title=離島とは(島の基礎知識) (what is a remote island?) |publisher=[[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]] |url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/crd/chirit/ritoutoha.html |website=MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) |date=22 August 2015 |access-date=9 August 2019 |language=ja |format=website |quote=MILT classification 6,852 islands(main islands: 5 islands, remote islands: 6,847 islands) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113053915/http://www.mlit.go.jp/crd/chirit/ritoutoha.html |archive-date=2007-11-13}}</ref><ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Kyūshū" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 588|page=588}}</ref> In the past, it has been known as {{nihongo3|"Nine Countries"|九国|Kyūkoku}}, {{nihongo3|"West of the Pacified Area"|鎮西|Chinzei}} and {{nihongo3|"Island of Tsukushi"|{{lang|ja|筑紫島}}|Tsukushi-no-shima}}. The historical regional name {{nihongo|[[Saikaidō]]|{{lang|ja|西海道}}||{{lit}} West Sea [[Circuit (country subdivision)|Circuit]]}} referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands. Kyushu has a land area of {{convert|36782|km2|sqmi}} and a population of 14,311,224 in 2018.<ref name="thoughtco"/>

There is a theory that Kyushu was in ancient times home to its own independent dynasty, where a unique, southern-influenced culture and tradition distinct from that of [[Honshu]] flourished.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.weblio.jp/content/%E4%B9%9D%E5%B7%9E%E7%8E%8B%E6%9C%9D%E8%AA%AC |title=大嘗祭と九州王朝の系図 |date=1991-02-09 |publisher=市民の古代第１３集 １９９１年 市民の古代研究会編}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=伝統芸能・工芸｜九州への旅行や観光情報は九州旅ネット |url=https://www.welcomekyushu.jp/history/tradition/index.html |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=www.welcomekyushu.jp |language=ja}}</ref>

In the 8th-century [[Taihō Code]] reforms, [[Dazaifu (government)|Dazaifu]] was established as a special administrative term for the region.<ref>Nussbaum, "Dazaifu" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 150|page=150}}; [http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4850.html Dazaifu]</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Kyushu-Japan-ISS-Space.png|thumb|250px|Kyushu from the [[International Space Station]]]]
[[File:Geofeatures_map_of_Kyushu_Japan_ja.svg|thumb|315x315px|Geofeatures map of Kyushu]]

The island is mountainous, and Japan's largest active volcano, [[Mount Aso]] at {{convert|1591|m}}, is on Kyushu. There are many other signs of tectonic activity, including numerous areas of [[hot spring]]s. The most famous of these are in [[Beppu, Ōita|Beppu]], on the east shore, and around Mt. Aso in central Kyushu. The island is separated from [[Honshu]] by the [[Kanmon Straits]]. Being the nearest island to the [[Asia|Asian continent]],<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC ''Japan Encyclopedia'']. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-674-01753-5}}. {{OCLC|58053128}}.
</ref> historically it is the gateway to Japan.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Kyushu, gateway to Japan : a concise history |first=Andrew |last=Cobbing |date=2009 |publisher=Global Oriental |isbn=9789004213128 |pages=157 |oclc=754792858}}</ref>

The total area is {{convert|36,782.37|km²|sqmi|abbr=on}} which makes it the 37th [[List of islands by area|largest island]] in the world.<ref name="island1">{{Cite web |date=2016-10-01 |url=http://www.gsi.go.jp/KOKUJYOHO/MENCHO/201610/f3_shima.pdf |title=平成28年全国都道府県市区町村別面積調 島面積 |publisher=[[国土地理院]] |accessdate=2017-02-27}}</ref> It is slightly larger than [[Geography of Taiwan|Taiwan]]'s total area of {{convert|35,808|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="thoughtco">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thoughtco.com/islands-of-japan-1435071|title=Discover the Geography of the 4 Main Islands of Japan |work=ThoughtCo |access-date=2018-09-26}}</ref> The highest elevation is {{convert|1791|m|0|abbr=off|comma=5|sp=us}} on [[Mount Kujū]].<ref name="peaklist">{{cite web |url=http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/japan.html |title=Japan Ultra-Prominences |publisher=Peaklist.org |accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref>

The name ''Kyūshū'' comes from the nine ancient provinces of [[Saikaidō]] situated on the island: [[Chikuzen Province|Chikuzen]], [[Chikugo Province|Chikugo]], [[Hizen Province|Hizen]], [[Higo Province|Higo]], [[Buzen Province|Buzen]], [[Bungo Province|Bungo]], [[Hyūga Province|Hyūga]], [[Ōsumi Province|Ōsumi]], and [[Satsuma Province|Satsuma]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kyushu, Gateway to Japan: A Concise History |first=Andrew |last=Cobbing |date=2009 |publisher=Global Oriental |isbn=9789004213128 |pages=3 |oclc=754792858}}</ref>

Today's {{nihongo|Kyushu Region|{{lang|ja|九州地方}}|Kyūshū-chihō}} is a politically defined region that consists of the seven [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]]s on the island of Kyushu (which also includes the former [[Tsushima Province|Tsushima]] and [[Iki Province|Iki]] as part of Nagasaki), plus [[Okinawa Prefecture]] to the south:
* [[Northern Kyushu]]
** [[Fukuoka Prefecture]]
** [[Kumamoto Prefecture]]
** [[Nagasaki Prefecture]]
** [[Ōita Prefecture]]
** [[Saga Prefecture]]
* [[Southern Kyushu]]
** [[Kagoshima Prefecture]]
** [[Miyazaki Prefecture]]
*[[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]]
** [[Okinawa Prefecture]]

==Population==

Kyushu has 10.3{{nbsp}}percent of the population of Japan.<ref name=honshu2>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=90C4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA16| page=16| title=The Philippine Archipelago |first=Yves |last=Boquet |publisher=Springer |year= 2017|isbn= 9783319519265}}</ref> Most of Kyushu's population is concentrated along the northwest, in the cities of [[Fukuoka]] and [[Kitakyushu]], with population corridors stretching southwest into [[Sasebo]] and [[Nagasaki]] and south into [[Kumamoto]] and [[Kagoshima]]. Except for [[Ōita (city)|Oita]] and [[Miyazaki (city)|Miyazaki]], the eastern seaboard shows a general [[demographics of Japan|decline in population]].

Politically, Kyushu is described as a stronghold of the [[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democratic Party]].<ref name="veconomist" >{{cite news|title=Japanese voters want a plan to handle a declining population|url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21730003-election-campaign-disappointing-them-japanese-voters-want-plan-handle-declining|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=5 October 2017}}</ref>

Per Japanese census data,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/japan/cities/fukuoka/|title=Fukuoka (Japan): Prefecture, Major Cities & Towns - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information |website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.demographia.com/db-japanpref.htm|title=Japan Prefectures Population from 1920 and Area |website=www.demographia.com}}</ref> the Kyushu region's population with [[Ryukyu Islands]] ([[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] and [[Kagoshima Prefecture|Kagoshima]] Prefectures) has experienced a large decline since around 2000. However, the population decline in total is mild because of the relatively high birth rate of [[Ryukyuans]] both within the Ryukyuan lands ([[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] and [[Kagoshima Prefecture|Kagoshima]]) and throughout the Kyushu region. In addition, the other prefectures in Kyushu also have exceptionally high [[Total fertility rate#Japan|TFR]]s compared to the rest of Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www8.cao.go.jp/shoushi/shoushika/research/cyousa23/kankyo/pdf/5.pdf |title=「都市と地方における子育て環境の違いから得られた知見」 |access-date=2022-02-09 |archive-date=2023-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313001044/https://www8.cao.go.jp/shoushi/shoushika/research/cyousa23/kankyo/pdf/5.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/jinkou/geppo/nengai20/dl/h9.pdf|title=令和２年(2020)人口動態統計月報年計（概数）の概況}}</ref> 

{|
|+'''Historical populations'''
|valign="top"|'''Including [[Ryukyu Islands]]'''
{{Historical populations
| 1873 | 5,163,730  
| 1920 |  8,730,000    
| 1930 |  9,647,000  
| 1940 | 10,511,000
| 1950 | 13,011,000
| 1960 | 13,787,000
| 1970 | 13,016,000
| 1980 | 14,073,000
| 1990 | 14,518,000
| 2000 | 14,763,781
| 2010 | 14,596,783
| 2018 | 14,311,224
|align       = none
| footnote = Includes Okinawa and Kagoshima prefecture populations.
}}

|'''Excluding Ryukyu Islands'''
{{Historical populations 
| 1873 |  4,776,363  
| 1920 |  6,742,000    
| 1930 |  7,512,000  
| 1940 |  8,347,000
| 1950 | 10,292,000
| 1960 | 10,941,000
| 1970 | 10,342,000
| 1980 | 11,181,000
| 1990 | 11,498,000
| 2000 | 11,659,367
| 2010 | 11,497,723
| 2018 | 11,249,154
|align       = none
| footnote = In 1873, [[Ōsumi Province]] represents portion of Kagoshima with Ryukyu islands
}}
|}

===Designated cities===
* [[Fukuoka]] (population: 1,588,924)
* [[Kitakyushu]] (population: 940,978)
* [[Kumamoto]] (population: 738,907)

===Core cities===
* [[Kagoshima]]
* [[Kurume]]
* [[Miyazaki (city)|Miyazaki]]
* [[Naha]]
* [[Nagasaki]]
* [[Ōita (city)|Ōita]]
* [[Saga (city)|Saga]]
* [[Sasebo]]

==Environment and agriculture==
Parts of Kyushu have a [[subtropical climate]], particularly [[Miyazaki Prefecture]] and [[Kagoshima Prefecture]]. Major agricultural products are [[rice]], [[tea]], [[tobacco]], [[sweet potato]]es, and [[soy]]; [[silk]] is also widely produced.

Besides the [[volcanic]] area of the south, there are significant mud [[hot springs]] in the northern part of the island, around [[Beppu]]. The springs are the site of occurrence of certain [[extremophile]] [[microorganism]]s, which are capable of surviving in extremely hot environments.<ref>C. Michael Hogan. 2010. [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Extremophile?topic=49540 ''Extremophile'']. eds. E. Monosson and C. Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment, Washington DC</ref>

There are two World Natural Heritage sites in Kyushu: [[Yakushima]] (registered in 1993) and [[Amami-Ōshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island]] (registered in 2021).<ref name="heritage">{{Cite web|title=日本の世界遺産一覧 |url=https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/sekai_isan/ichiran/|website=文化庁|language=ja| access-date=2023-05-22}}</ref>

==Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Japan}}
[[Image:M-V with ASTRO-E2 on launch pad.jpeg|thumb|M-V rocket launch rehearsal at USC]]
Kyushu's economy accounts for approximately 10% of Japan's total economic output, making it comparable to countries such as [[Iran]], [[Norway]], [[Austria]], the [[United Arab Emirates]], and [[Thailand]]. It is the fourth largest economic region in Japan, following the three major metropolitan areas of [[Tokyo]], [[Osaka]], and [[Nagoya]].<ref name="FFG">{{Cite web|title=potential of Kyūshū|url=https://www.fukuoka-fg.com/vision/03.html|website=Fukuoka financial group|language=ja|access-date=2023-05-16|archive-date=2023-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516021814/https://www.fukuoka-fg.com/vision/03.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kyushu's economy has a well-balanced industrial structure, ranging from primary industries such as agriculture, to secondary industries such as manufacturing, and tertiary industries such as retail, services, and tourism. Agricultural output in the region amounts to 1.8 trillion yen (20% share of the national total), and the region is a major domestic production center for the [[automobile]] and [[semiconductor]] industries. Kyushu also has a thriving healthcare industry, including medical and nursing care, and numerous research and manufacturing facilities in the fields of [[hydrogen]], [[solar power]], and other renewable energies. Furthermore, [[Fukuoka City]], [[Kitakyushu City]] and [[Okinawa Prefecture]] have been designated as [[National Strategic Special Zones]], which are expected to have an economic ripple effect on the entire Kyushu region through the creation of innovation in industry and the promotion of new entrepreneurship and start-ups.<ref name="FFG" />

Kyushu is a region with strong economic ties to Asia. For example, Asia accounted for 420 (77.9%) of the 539 overseas expansion cases of Kyushu-Yamaguchi companies from 2010 to 2019, and Asia accounted for 61.1% of Kyushu-Yamaguchi's total exports in 2019, 7.4 percentage points higher than the nation as a whole. As the logistics node between Japan and Asia, the ports of Hakata and Kitakyushu handle a large number of international containers. In addition, the number of cruise ship calls in 2019 was 772, with Kyushu accounting for 26.9% of the nation's total.<ref>{{Cite web|title=はじめての九州経済 |url=https://www.kerc.or.jp/economy/gaikan/|website=Kyushu economic research center|language=ja|access-date=2023-05-22}}</ref>

Kyushu  is noted for various types of [[porcelain]], including Arita, Imari, Satsuma, and Karatsu. [[Heavy industry]] is concentrated in the north around Fukuoka, Kitakyushu, Nagasaki, and Oita and includes chemicals, automobiles, semiconductors, metal processing, shipbuilding, etc.<ref>{{Cite web|title=JAPAN PRODUCTS: Business Directory of Japanese Companies.|url=http://japan-product.com/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> The island of [[Tanegashima]] hosts the [[Tanegashima Space Center]], which is the largest rocket-launch complex in Japan.

==Transportation==
Kyushu is linked to the larger island of [[Honshu]] by the [[Kanmon Railway Tunnel]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kanmon Tunnel {{!}} Description, History, Construction, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kanmon-Tunnel|access-date=2021-10-20|website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> which carries the non-[[Shinkansen]] trains of the [[Kyushu Railway Company]], and the newer [[Shin-Kanmon Tunnel]] carrying the [[San'yō Shinkansen]]. Railways on the island are operated by the Kyushu Railway Company and [[West Japan Railway Company]], as well as a variety of smaller companies such as [[Amagi Railway Amagi Line|Amagi Railway]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Railways in Kyushu|url=https://www.sinfin.net/railways/world/japan/kyushu.html|access-date=2021-10-20|website=www.sinfin.net}}</ref> and [[Nishi-Nippon Railroad|Nishitetsu Railway]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Railways in Northern Kyūshū|url=http://www.japaneserailwaysociety.com/jrs/members/oliver/kyūshū/kyūshū.htm|access-date=2021-10-20|website=www.japaneserailwaysociety.com}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Kyushu Shinkansen]] trains operate between major cities on the island,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Getting Around {{!}} Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization|url=https://www.visit-kyūshū.com/en/plan-your-trip/getting-around/|access-date=2021-10-20|website=www.visit-kyūshū.com|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> such as [[Fukuoka]] and [[Kagoshima]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kyūshū Shinkansen|url=https://www.japanvisitor.com/japan-travel/kyūshū-shinkansen|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-20|website=[[Japan Visitor]] |archive-date=2021-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020112050/https://www.japanvisitor.com/japan-travel/kyūshū-shinkansen}}</ref> with an additional route between {{STN|Takeo-Onsen|x}} and [[Nagasaki]] which has been in operation since September 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-10|title=Fukuoka to Nagasaki: How to go from Fukuoka to Nagasaki? {{!}} Japan-Rail-Pass|url=https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/node/4326|access-date=2022-04-21|website=Japan Rail Pass {{!}} Japan Rail Pass |language=en}}</ref> Kyushu is also known for its scenic train services, such as the Limited Express Yufuin no Mori and Limited Express Kawasemi Yamasemi.<ref name=":0" />

The [[Kanmon Bridge]] and [[Kanmon Roadway Tunnel]] also connect the island with Honshu, allowing for vehicular transport between the two.<ref>{{Cite web|last=MATCHA |title=Walk From Honshu To Kyūshū! 4 Ways To Cross Between The Two Islands|url=https://matcha-jp.com/en/1737|access-date=2021-10-20|website=MATCHA - JAPAN TRAVEL WEB MAGAZINE |language=en}}</ref> The [[Kyushu Expressway]] spans the length of the island, linking the [[Higashikyushu Expressway]] and Ibusuki Skyline, connecting major cities such as [[Fukuoka]] and [[Kumamoto]] along the way.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kyūshū Expy · Japan |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kyūshū+Expy,+Japan/@32.7319959,130.7735981,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3540f3427949e6d9:0x60891c7c25263c3!8m2!3d32.7319914!4d130.7757868 |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=Kyūshū Expy · Japan |language=en}}</ref> There are also many quiet country roads, including popular tourist routes such as the [[Nichinan, Miyazaki|Nichinan]] coast road and the Aso Panorama Line in [[Kumamoto Prefecture]]. Bus services are available and cover 2,400 routes within Kyushu's cities, connecting many other destinations.<ref name=":0" />

Several passenger and car ferry services connect both northern and southern Kyushu with main port cities on the main island of Honshu (Kobe, Osaka, Tokyo) and [[Shikoku]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2355.html|title = Domestic Ferries| date=May 2022 }}</ref>

The island's main larger airport is served by [[Fukuoka Airport]] which provides most domestic and internationals flights. There are also smaller airports across island including [[Kumamoto Airport]], [[Miyazaki Airport]], [[Oita Airport]], [[Saga Airport]], [[Nagasaki Airport]] [[Kitakyushu Airport]] and [[Kagoshima Airport]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Getting to Kyushu|url=https://www.visit-kyushu.com/en/plan-your-trip/getting-kyushu/ |website=Visit Kyushu |access-date=15 August 2025}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Kyushumap-en.png|320px|thumb|Map of Kyushu region with prefectures]]
[[File:JMSDF major fleets en.JPG|thumb|right|[[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force#District Forces|JMSDF District Forces]], including the Sasebo District Force]]
Major universities and colleges in Kyushu:
* National universities
** [[Fukuoka University of Education]]
** [[Kagoshima University]]
** [[Kumamoto University]]
** [[Kyushu Institute of Technology]]
** [[Kyushu University]] – One of seven former "Imperial Universities"
** [[Miyazaki University]]
** [[Nagasaki University]]
** [[National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya]]
** [[Oita University]]
** [[Saga University]]
** [[University of the Ryukyus]]
* Universities run by local governments
** [[Fukuoka Prefectural University]]
** [[Fukuoka Women's University]]
** [[Kyushu Dental College]]
** [[Miyazaki Municipal University]]
** [[Miyazaki Prefectural Nursing University]]
** [[Nagasaki Prefectural University]]
** [[Oita University of Nursing and Health Sciences]]
** [[Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts]]
** [[Prefectural University of Kumamoto]]
** [[University of Kitakyushu]]
* Major private universities
** [[Fukuoka University]] – University with the largest number of students in Kyushu
** [[Kumamoto Gakuen University]]
** [[Kurume University]]
** [[Kyushu Sangyo University]] – Baseball team won the Japanese National Championship in 2005
** [[Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University]]
** [[Seinan Gakuin University]]
** [[University of Occupational and Environmental Health]]

==Culture==
Kyushu has maintained the strongest economic and cultural ties with [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa (Ryukyu)]] from ancient times to the present. Traces of Okinawan culture can be seen throughout Kyushu, and vice versa. Okinawan musical scales are often found in local folk songs, and there are many similarities in cuisine and language. Kyushu is also home to a unique traditional instrument called the ''[[gottan]]'', which resembles the ''[[sanshin]]'' and ''[[shamisen]]''. The region boasts a rich tradition of craftsmanship, with numerous traditional crafts such as [[Hakata-ori]] (博多織), [[Beppu bamboo crafts]](別府竹細工), [[Kurume Kasuri]] (久留米絣), and [[Satsuma kiriko|Sathuma Kiriko]].

=== People ===
[[People in Kyushu]] are known for being conservative even within Japan. In particular, men from Kyushu are often referred to as "[[Kyushu danji]]" (九州男児), evoking an image of being wild and strong. It is said that this term has existed since ancient times, originally used to inspire and encourage soldiers. Being from Kyushu is a source of great pride for its people. Thanks to this cultural spirit, Kyushu has preserved a rich variety of unique traditional cultures that continue to thrive today.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shimbun |first=Minami-Nippon |title=「九州男児」は兵士を勇気づける言葉だった？ 歴史をたどり"起源"に迫る 薩摩の方言「おい、こら」にヒントも |url=https://373news.com/news/local/detail/166270/ |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=南日本新聞デジタル |language=ja}}</ref>

=== Food ===
[[File:Gansonagahamaya.jpg|thumb|Hakata-ramen(元祖長浜屋)]]
The main features of Kyushu cuisine are the use of fresh ingredients nurtured by the region's geography, which is surrounded by the sea and blessed with rich nature, along with distinctive seasonings such as sweet soy sauce ([[Kyushu soy sauce]]) and barley miso, which differ from those used in [[Honshu]].

Each region has its own culinary characteristics: seafood-based dishes are prominent in the north, while meat dishes are more common in the south.<ref>{{Cite web |title=うちの郷土料理：農林水産省 |url=https://www.maff.go.jp/j/keikaku/syokubunka/k_ryouri/index.html |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=www.maff.go.jp}}</ref>

* '''Fukuoka''' – [[Tonkotsu ramen|Hakata ramen (博多ラーメン)]], [[Chikuzenni|gameni (がめ煮,  筑前煮)]], [[Motsunabe|motsunabe (もつ鍋)]], [[Kashiwameshi|kashiwa-meshi (かしわ飯)]], [[okyu-to]] (おきゅうと)
* '''Saga''' – [[Tsunkī dago jiru|Tsunkī dago jiru (つんきーだご汁)]], [[Noppe|noppe jiru (のっぺ汁)]], [[Funanko-gui|funanko-gui (ふなんこぐい)]], [[Noppe jiru|noppe jiru (のっぺ汁)]]
* '''Nagasaki''' – [[Champon|Nagasaki champon (長崎ちゃんぽん)]], [[Sara udon|sara udon (皿うどん)]], rokube (ろくべえ), [[Omura zushi|Omura-zushi (大村寿司)]]
* '''Oita''' – [[Dango jiru|dango jiru (だんご汁)]], [[ami-meshi]] (あみめし), [[Kirasumameshi|kirasu-meshi (きらすまめし)]], [[Toriten|toriten (とり天)]], hocho (鮑腸)
* '''Kumamoto''' – [[Nankan-age maki-zushi|Nankan-age maki-zushi (南関あげ巻き寿司)]], [[Takana zuke|takana zuke (高菜漬け)]], [[Karashi renkon|karashi renkon (からし蓮根)]], [[Dago jiru|dago jiru (だご汁)]]
* '''Miyazaki''' – [[Nimono|nishime]] (煮しめ), [[Chicken nanban|chicken nanban (鶏南蛮)]], na-dōfu (菜豆腐), [[Hiyajiru|hiyajiru (冷や汁)]], [[Hie-zushi|hie-zushi (稗ずーしー)]]
* '''Kagoshima''' – [[Keihan rice|keihan]] (鶏飯), [[Abura-zōmen|abura-zōmen (油ゾーメン)]], [[Satsuma-sumoji|satsuma-sumoji (さつますもじ)]], [[Buri-daikon|buri-daikon (ぶり大根)]], gane(がね)
* '''Okinawa''' – [[Chanpurū|goyā champurū (ゴーヤーチャンプルー)]], [[Okinawa soba|Okinawa soba (沖縄そば)]], [[Rafute|rafutē (ラフテー)]], [[Kufājiushi|kufājiushi (クファジューシー)]]

=== Sweets ===
[[File:Akashiya Karukan-manju (1).jpg|thumb|Karukan(軽羹)]]
Confectionery in Kyushu tends to use more sugar compared to other regions of Japan. This is because Kyushu has historically had close ties with [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] ([[Ryukyu Islands|Ryukyu]]), a major producer of sugar. As a result, many traditional sweets from Kyushu incorporate characteristics of [[Ryukyuan culture]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=菓子 {{!}} うちの郷土料理：農林水産省 |url=https://www.maff.go.jp/j/keikaku/syokubunka/k_ryouri/search_menu/type/pastry.html |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=www.maff.go.jp}}</ref>

* [[Karukan]] (かるかん)
* [[Umegae Mochi]] (梅ヶ枝餅)
* [[Ikinari Dango]] (いきなり団子)
* [[Jiriyaki]] (じり焼き)
* [[Ogi Yōkan|Ogi ''Yōkan'']] ''(''小城羊羹)
* [[Kurobo]] (黒棒)
* [[Kashamochi]] (かしゃもち)
* [[Imo manju]] (いも饅頭)
* [[Akumaki]] (あくまき)
* [[Yubeshi]]（柚餅子）
* [[Sake Manjū]] (酒まんじゅう)

=== Musical instruments ===
[[File:ゴッタン.jpg|thumb|Gottan(ゴッタン)]]
In Kyushu, there exists a traditional stringed instrument known as the ''[[gottan]] (ゴッタン)'', which developed independently within the region's unique cultural and geographic context. The instrument is considered to be a midpoint between the ''[[shamisen]]'' of [[Honshu|mainland Japan]] and the ''[[sanshin]]'' of [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]], incorporating characteristics of both. Structurally, it resembles the sanshin more closely—for example, it lacks the ''sawari'', a buzzing mechanism found in the shamisen. This absence, along with its simplified wooden box construction and single string, aligns it with the more minimalistic design typical of southern instruments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-17 |title=鹿児島県・上甑島。島の小さな集落で、幻の楽器の音色に浸る {{!}} ブルータス |url=https://brutus.jp/kamikoshikishima_travel/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=BRUTUS.jp |language=ja}}</ref>

Musically, the ''[[gottan]]'' is sometimes used to perform melodies that reflect the Ryukyuan pentatonic scale, suggesting a subtle but notable influence from Okinawan musical traditions. While it remains a distinct and localized folk instrument of Kyushu, its sound and structure reveal traces of a broader cultural exchange within the southern Japanese archipelago, embodying a hybrid identity between the mainland and the Ryukyus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ゴッタン甑の会 |url=https://peraichi.com/landing_pages/view/koshikigottan/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=peraichi.com}}</ref>
* [[Gottan]] (ゴッタン)
* [[Sanshin]] (三線)
* [[Biwa|Chikuzen Biwa]] (筑前琵琶)
* [[Biwa|Sathuma Biwa]] (薩摩琵琶)
* [[Thuchibue]] (土笛)
* [[Iwabue]] (石笛)

=== World Heritage Sites ===
* [[Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu]], registered in 2000<ref name="heritage" />
* [[Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining]], registered in 2015
* [[Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region]], registered in 2017
* [[Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region]], registered in 2018

===Sports===
Historically some Kyushu-based [[sports]] team has competed in the top Japanese division of [[Japanese baseball|baseball]] ([[Nippon Professional Baseball|NPB]]), [[Football in Japan|football (soccer)]] ([[J.League]]), [[Basketball in Japan|basketball]] ([[B.League]]) or even [[Rugby union in Japan|rugby union]] ([[Japan Rugby League One|League One]]). Currently the major teams competing in Kyushu's major cities include:
*[[Fukuoka Prefecture|Fukuoka]]:  [[Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks]] (baseball); [[Avispa Fukuoka]], [[Giravanz Kitakyushu]] (football); [[Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka]] (basketball); [[Kyuden Voltex]] (Rugby)
*[[Saga Prefecture|Saga]]: [[Sagan Tosu]] (football); [[Saga Ballooners]] (basketball)
*[[Nagasaki Prefecture|Nagasaki]]: [[V-Varen Nagasaki]] (football); [[Nagasaki Velca]] (basketball)
*[[Kumamoto Prefecture|Kumamoto]]: [[Roasso Kumamoto]] (football); [[Kumamoto Volters]] (basketball)
*[[Ōita Prefecture|Ōita]]: [[Oita Trinita]] (football)
*[[Miyazaki Prefecture|Miyazaki]]: [[Tegevajaro Miyazaki]] (football)
*[[Kagoshima Prefecture|Kagoshima]]: [[Kagoshima United FC]] (football); [[Kagoshima Rebnise]] (basketball)
*[[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]]: [[FC Ryukyu]] (football); [[Ryukyu Golden Kings]] (basketball)

==See also==
{{Portal|Japan|Islands|Geography}}
* [[Azumi people]], an ancient group of people who inhabited parts of Northern Kyushu
* [[Geography of Japan]]
* [[Group Kyushu]]
* [[Hoenn]], a fictional region in the ''[[Pokémon]]'' franchise which is based on Kyushu
* [[Japanese archipelago]]
* [[Kanmonkyo Bridge]], that connects Kyushu with Honshū
* [[Kyushu Japanese|Kyushu dialects]], [[Hichiku dialect]], [[Hōnichi dialect]], and [[Kagoshima dialect]]
* [[Kyushu National Museum]]
* [[List of regions in Japan]]
* [[Northern Kyushu]]
* [[Southern Kyushu]]
* [[United States Fleet Activities Sasebo]]
* [[Western Army (Japan)]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Wiktionary inline|Kyushu}}
* {{Commons and category inline|Kyushu}}
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Kyushu}}

{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}
{{World's largest islands}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kyushu}}
[[Category:Islands of Okinawa Prefecture]]
[[Category:Islands of Kagoshima Prefecture]]
[[Category:Kyushu region]]
[[Category:Islands of Japan]]
[[Category:Japanese archipelago]]