Kyushu, a region where a warm climate, majestic nature, and a unique food culture thrive, is the ideal place to delve into Japanese wellness and nurture mind-body health and happiness. This page highlights Kyushu’s unique wellness appeal through its abundant hot springs, the gifts of its rich land and sea, and diverse activities.
Healing Nurtured by Grand Nature and a Warm Climate
Kyushu’s diverse terrain and warm climate are a major draw. It belongs to a humid subtropical climate, with an average annual temperature of around 20°C (68°F) (*1), allowing you to comfortably enjoy wellness activities year-round. The influence of warm currents makes it easy to engage in wellness activities throughout the year, and the rich
vegetation offers visual healing too.
Abundant Hot Spring Resources from Active Volcanoes
Particularly in the central part of Kyushu, active volcanoes like Mount Aso create dynamic and magnificent landscapes. This volcanic activity provides abundant hot spring resources, leading to numerous world-renowned hot spring resorts such as Beppu and Yufuin. Their diverse spring qualities are expected to relieve fatigue, promote relaxation, and enhance skin beauty, with specific benefits indicated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s hot spring analysis standards. The otherworldly atmosphere enveloped in steam helps you forget daily life’s hustle and bustle, encouraging mental relaxation. In this land where hot spring therapy (toji) culture has deep roots, a stay at these resorts becomes a profound wellness experience that truly restores your mind and body.
Refresh in Lush Green Forests
Kyushu’s beautiful valleys and lush green forests, nurtured by abundant rainfall, are also appealing. Forest bathing and nature walks along clear streams in untouched natural areas are perfect for deeply refreshing your mind and body, exhausted by city life. According to related research by the Ministry of the Environment, forest bathing is reported to suppress the secretion of cortisol, a stress hormone, and stabilize blood pressure. These physiological changes are believed to lead to calming your mind and body and alleviating daily stress.
Healthy Eating: Embracing the Earth’s Bounty
Food is an essential part of Kyushu’s wellness actitivies. Surrounded by a warm climate, fertile land, and a rich sea, Kyushu is truly a treasure trove of fresh and high-quality ingredients. The diversity and high quality of its ingredients, from meat and seafood to vegetables, fruits, and grains, are particularly noteworthy. These ingredients serve as an
indispensable source of nutrition to support mind-body health.
Local Cuisine Based on the Principle of “Food as Medicine”
Local dishes rooted in each region often use a generous amount of seasonal ingredients and are nutritionally balanced, truly embodying the philosophy of ishoku-dogen (food as medicine). For example, Fukuoka’s game-ni (chikuzen-ni) is a flavorful dish rich in root vegetables that aids digestion and regulates the gut environment with its abundant dietary fiber. Kumamoto’s tai-pi-en is a noodle dish with many ingredients like glass noodles, vegetables, shrimp, etc., and is known as a healthy noodle dish that is low in calories but full of nutrients.
Region-Specific Healthy Ingredients
Sakurajima daikon radish, cultivated in Kagoshima, has been reported in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (ACS) to have potential for improving vascular function and is considered beneficial for health maintenance. You can also enjoy unique regional dishes like Oita’s dango-jiru (dumpling soup) and Miyazaki’s hiya-jiru (chilled miso soup). Furthermore, traditional acharazuke (pickles) made with summer vegetables rich in polyphenols and vitamins also help maintain health according to the season. Participating in a cooking class that uses fresh local ingredients will be a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge.
Activities and Experiences that Connect You with Nature
Kyushu offers a variety of wellness activities that make the most of its diverse natural environment.
Physical Activities in Grand Nature
In majestic natural settings like Aso-Kuju National Park and Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park, you can engage in hiking and trekking, moving your body while feeling the energy of grand nature. Additionally, on well-maintained cycling roads, you can ride through spectacular coastal scenery and pastoral landscapes, feeling the pleasant breeze. This will not only boost your cardiovascular function but also help you restore your mind and body in an extraordinary setting.
Facilities for Mind-Body Refreshment
Across Kyushu, you’ll find hot springs, bedrock baths (ganbanyoku), and exercise facilities.
Some even offer health check-ups and physical condition assessments, comprehensively supporting your mental and physical health. For example, Kagoshima Prefecture has numerous glamping facilities set in beautiful natural environments, where you can enjoy diverse activities like BBQ, tennis, and yoga. Various retreat facilities, perfect for escaping urban noise and restoring your mind-body balance, are also scattered throughout Kyushu.
Water Activities
Being surrounded by the sea on three sides, Kyushu is also a hub for marine sports. Along its beautiful coastlines and in highly transparent waters, water activities like SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) and kayaking are very popular. While enjoying the magnificent views from the sea, you can effectively strengthen your core and experience deep mental satisfaction and physical well-being from the pleasant fatigue of full-body exercise.
Your Perfect Mind-Body Journey Awaits in Kyushu
Kyushu, through its rich nature, healthy food, and diverse activities, is a treasure trove of wellness that offers deep healing and vitality to its visitors. We hope you will find the perfect wellness experience for you and embark on a fulfilling journey for both your mind and body in Kyushu!
