Kyushu: The highlights of Japan's southern paradise

1. Experience Rokugo Manzan culture

Fly into Oita Airport before driving to the Kunisaki Peninsula – a remote corner of Oita Prefecture – for a glimpse into its local religious culture of Rokugo Manzan, a blend of Buddhism, Shintoism and ancient mountain worship. Two of the best places to experience it are the 12th-century temple of Fukiji, the oldest wooden structure in Kyushu, and the majestic Usa Jingu Shrine, where this intriguing culture originated over 1300 years ago.

Smoking hot Kurokawa Onsen, Kyushu, Japan

Wonder at nature’s brutal beauty at Beppu’s evocatively-named Blood Pond Jigoku (hell or hot springs), a boiling blood-red cauldron. (Image: Tetsuya Takahashi)

2. Beppu’s hot springs and beyond

The seaside town of Beppu in Oita Prefecture is famous for being the hot spring capital of Japan – with its seven ‘hells’, or jigoku, creating colourful photo opportunities and its old district Kannawa, where steam rises from the streets to atmospheric effect, perfect for discovering on foot. On top of this, visitors will encounter a town with a thriving culinary and cultural scene.

Omi Shrine in Miyazaki hugs the sea.

3. Miyazaki’s myths and legends

Leave Oita for Miyazaki Prefecture, stopping at Omi Shrine in the port city of Hyuga. Dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, this small but beautiful shrine is built on columnar rocks overlooking the sea and is associated with Japanese legend and identity.

Continue on to Takachiho, a picturesque mountain town and the birthplace of Japanese mythology. Visit the spectacular Takachiho Gorge – formed long ago by lava from nearby Mt Aso – and relax with a boat ride on the water below a cascading waterfall.

The impressive dimensions of Nabegataki Falls create a wide sheet of water

Then, head to Amano Iwato Shrine, where Amaterasu herself is said to have hidden in a cave – plunging the world into darkness – before being lured out by her fellow deities; it’s one of the most famous stories in Shinto lore. Later, watch this legend reenacted in a traditional Yokagura dance at the peaceful Takachiho Shrine.

The caldera lake of Mt Aso Nakadake Crater is another must-see in Kumamoto.

4. Mt Aso and more

The landscape changes dramatically as you drive out of Miyazaki into Kumamoto Prefecture to the fringes of Mt Aso: this active volcano, one of Japan’s largest, is surrounded by lush farmland. This unique region is vast and deserves plenty of time to explore, but don’t miss the grand Mt Aso Nakadake Crater, with its smouldering emerald-green caldera lake and the scenic and surprising Nabegataki Falls. Overnight in Aso City and fly out of nearby Kumamoto Airport.

The name of the luxury train Seven Stars refers to the seven prefectures of Kyushu – although it does live up to the implied luxury standard.

5. Cruise the rails with Seven Stars

The Seven Stars rail cruise around Kyushu is not named for its luxury (although it does reach that level of comfort) but for the seven prefectures of Kyushu. The onboard suites are sumptuous works of Japanese art (the hand basins in the suites are limited edition) which explains the popularity of the three night tour (there is a one night version). The suites come with private lounge, bedroom and shower. Enjoy a predinner drink at the Blue Moon lounge and bar before dining on some of the Kyushu’s greatest dishes in the Jupiter Dining Room. The train is so popular, guests enter a lottery for tickets. The lotteries are conducted twice a year every April and October.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

5 Kyushu experiences you don’t want to miss

Your essential itinerary for exploring the best bits of Kyushu, Japan’s southern paradise.

1. Experience Rokugo Manzan culture

2. Beppu’s hot springs and beyond

3. Miyazaki’s myths and legends

4. Mt Aso and more

5. Cruise the rails with Seven Stars

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