Kyūshū
On this street teeming with shops selling umegaemochi (sweet-bean-paste-filled cakes), this place makes them before your eyes (five for ¥600), assuming…
Must-see restaurants in Kyūshū
Kyūshū
A sweet new cafe with decorative homages to Takachiho-jinja, this place does breakfasts, and lunches such as curry rice (even a vegan version!) and gyūdon…
Beppu
In the heart of Beppu, this welcoming izakaya is a long-standing favourite with visitors and locals. For something to go with your booze, pick from the…
Kagoshima
This happy spot is festooned with an eclectic collection of Shōwa-period pop-culture memorabilia. It's where young Japanese come to hang out over a few…
Kyūshū
This kitsch-filled spot is larger and has shorter queues than its sister, the original Ogura Honten in the town centre, but it still serves famous chikin…
Kumamoto
A couple of blocks southeast of the Shimotōri Arcade, amid side streets reminiscent of Tokyo's trendy Omote-Sando, this charming shop has mottled red…
Kyūshū
This intimate trattoria has an open kitchen, two large tables and a long counter badly in need of 'no smoking' signs. Shrimp and avocado spaghetti in…
Kyūshū
Sample Miyazaki beef for less than an arm and a leg with yakiniku (Korean barbecue) at this sister shop of famed beef specialist Miyachiku. Two-person…
Kyūshū
This venerable yet up-to-date restaurant across from the castle serves Shimabara's best-known dish, guzōni, a clear broth with mochi (pounded-rice…
Kagoshima
The original branch of the tonkotsu (pork broth) institution is in Tenmonkan, in the corner house with the red tile sign. It's rather workaday yet often…
Kyūshū
Across the car park from the tourist-information office and operated by local fishing families, this cooperative is basically a market with picnic tables,…
Kyūshū
Fish fans should head to humble Daitoku on Makurazaki's main drag for award-winning katsuo funado meshi, a donburi (rice bowl) topped with fresh katsuo …
Kagoshima
This classy multistorey shop claims to have invented kurobuta shabu-shabu (black-pork hotpot). Set meals come with handmade udon noodles and side dishes…
Fukuoka
Sushi here can be two completely different experiences: elegant and dignified on the 2nd floor, or served together with other dishes in a rollicking…
Tontoro Kagoshima-Chūō Ekimae-ten
Kagoshima
Tontoro is an institution for its thick tonkotsu (pork broth), finished with scallions and a hint of garlic. This branch near JR Kagoshima-Chūō Station is…
Nagasaki
At this Shinchi Chinatown standby, the cheerful staff dressed in black with white aprons have been serving southern Chinese cuisine since the Shōwa era…
Kagoshima
Quench your thirst during Kagoshima's steamy summers with highly refreshing kakigori (shaved ice with condensed milk, fruit and beans). Go for the…
Kyūshū
This friendly shop across the road from the ferry dock serves Nagasaki Prefecture's most famous dish, champon, a relative of ramen, loaded with pork and…
Fukuoka
Cosy ramen restaurant-pub that's just a few minutes from Hakata's Higashi-guchi. No frills, just thick, Fukuoka-style broth, noodles and draughts, with…
Kyūshū
Next to JR Aso station, this meeting place and market has a colourful selection of local produce, bentō (boxed meals), baked and packaged goods, snacks,…
Kyūshū
For takeaway food, try the basement marketplace at Yamakataya department store, where stalls sell everything from baked goods to bentō (boxed meals),…
Beppu
Across from Beppu Station, Toyotsune serves up such local specialities as toriten (chicken tempura), plus lots of fresh fish. The more appealing main…
Kyūshū
This Korean restaurant does a brisk business in barbecue made with Miyazaki gyū (beef), bibimba (rice hotpot) and pajeon (savoury pancakes). A two-person…
Kyūshū
A few hundred metres from the Imari Station area, this family-run place serves up super-fresh tempura, some on Imari-ware dishes. No English is spoken, so…
Nagasaki
Fine cake shop across from Megane-bashi; castella (dense sponge cake) supplier to the Japanese imperial family.
Kyūshū
One of the village's few stand-alone restaurants, Yūchan has a variety of grilled and fried options: okonomiyaki (savoury pancake), yakitori (grilled meat…
Kyūshū
Hirado beef compares well in taste with other wagyū varieties. Try it at this spacious and comfy spot for yakiniku (Korean-style grilled beef)…
