Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium

Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Kyushu ・ Nagasaki

Usually around February, at the time of the Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) (17 days from February 5 to 21 in 2027)

2027: Feb 5 (Fri) – Feb 21 (Sun), 17 days

Nagasaki Kunchi

Kyushu ・ Nagasaki

Every year October 7–9

2026: Oct 7 (Wed) – Oct 9 (Fri), 3 days

Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari

Kyushu ・ Usa, Oita

A safari park in Ajimu, Usa City, Oita Prefecture, where you tour free-roaming animals by car or bus. You can explore in two ways: the My Car Safari, driving your own car through the Safari Zone with lions, elephants, and more, or the Jungle Bus, which moves along as you feed the animals. It's about 7 minutes by car from Beppuwan Smart IC, making it easy to combine with sightseeing in Beppu and Yufuin.

Aso Cuddly Dominion

Kyushu ・ Kumamoto & Aso

A zoo in Aso City where you can interact with 350 animals of 60 species. It centers on animal shows and close-contact facilities with bear cubs, capybaras, and penguins. It's about 1.5 km from JR Aso Station, and highway buses between Kumamoto and Oita/Beppu stop in front of the park.

Beppu Jigoku Meguri (Hells of Beppu)

Kyushu ・ Beppu & Yufuin

A Beppu sightseeing classic: touring the seven hot spring sources known as jigoku (hells) in the Kannawa and Kamegawa areas of the hot spring town of Beppu. The hells each differ in color and form, from the cobalt-blue Umi Jigoku and the red Chinoike Jigoku to Tatsumaki Jigoku, which erupts at regular intervals. A combined ticket covers all seven, and you can tour them in about 2.5 hours including travel.

Huis Ten Bosch

Kyushu ・ Sasebo & Huis Ten Bosch

A theme park resort in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, recreating Dutch townscapes. Attractions, shops, restaurants, and hotels are spread across large grounds laced with canals. It's about a 5-minute walk from JR Huis Ten Bosch Station and about 1 hour 45 minutes by limited express from Hakata, so a day trip from Fukuoka is possible.

Io World Kagoshima City Aquarium

Kyushu ・ Kagoshima, Sakurajima & Ibusuki

An aquarium in Honkoshin-machi, Kagoshima City, themed on Kagoshima's seas, from Kinko Bay to the Nansei Islands. It displays about 800 species, and the large Kuroshio tank with its whale shark and the dolphin programs are popular. It's about 15 minutes by streetcar from Kagoshima-Chuo Station, making it easy to drop by while sightseeing in the city.

Kujukushima Aquarium Umi Kirara

Kyushu ・ Sasebo & Huis Ten Bosch

An aquarium in Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort in Sasebo. It focuses on sea life from the Kujukushima Islands, and its jellyfish exhibit and dolphin shows are popular. The Kujukushima sightseeing boat pier is in the same resort, so you can enjoy it together with a cruise.

Marine World Uminonakamichi

Kyushu ・ Fukuoka & Dazaifu

An aquarium themed on the seas of Kyushu, located at Uminonakamichi in Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City. It mainly shows sea life from the four seas surrounding Kyushu, and also holds dolphin and sea lion shows and a penguin parade. From Hakata Station it's one transfer by JR, and you can also get there by boat from Bayside Place Hakata.

Sun Messe Nichinan

Kyushu ・ Miyazaki & Nichinan

A park on a hill overlooking the Nichinan coastline, known for its seven Moai statues, reproduced with permission from the Council of Elders of Easter Island. The highlights are the Moai standing with their backs to the sea and the views across the spacious grounds. It's about 40 minutes by car from Miyazaki Airport and can also be reached by local bus from Miyazaki Station.

Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago

Kyushu ・ Takasakiyama, Oita

An aquarium near Mt. Takasaki in Oita City, themed on becoming friends with animals. Performances by dolphins, walruses, and others are held many times a day, and you can get close to the animals. It can be reached by bus from Beppu Station and Oita Station, making it easy to combine with sightseeing in Beppu.