Fukuoka

Fukuoka, in an area called Kyushu, is a prefecture surrounded by mountains and ocean. In the center is Hakata Station and the Tenjin area that's full of large underground streets and shopping buildings where you can enjoy shopping and cuisine. Fukuoka is known for Hakata ramen, a ramen made with tonkotsu (pork bones), but also the yakitori, gyoza, motsunabe, tori no mizutaki, and fresh sashimi, are all meals you can enjoy. In the evening, you can go to the street stalls at Nakasu, and enjoy a fun time along with beer or shochu and various meals. If you leave the center, you can visit places like Yanagawa, famous for the downstream boat rides and eel cuisine; Dazaifu, home to Dazaifu Tenmangu; and Moji, a nostalgic harbor that's often used as a shooting location in Japanese movies. Also, if you have a few extra days, you can make your way around Kyushu! Oita has plenty of hot spring areas like Yufuin and Beppu; Nagasaki has beautiful night scenery; Kumamoto is home to Mt. Aso, Kumamoto Castle, and the character Kumamon; Saga, which has a town named Yobuko, famous for fresh squid sashimi; Miyazaki, where you can boat down Takachiho Gorge; and Kagoshima, which is home to plenty of nature-filled areas like Sakurajima and the World Heritage site Yakushima. Each prefecture is full of unique sights.