The spirit of the South: Fukuoka, Beppu and Nagasaki

Anyone looking for an alternative, experimental scene with a seaside feel will find Kyushu – Japan’s third-largest island, with a subtropical climate and known for its active volcanoes and natural hot springs – the perfect destination. Thanks to a convenient domestic flight of around two hours from Tokyo, you’ll land in Fukuoka, a hub for emerging fashion and avant-garde concept stores concentrated in the lively Daimyo district. The journey continues by train for about two hours to Beppu, a spa town renowned for its retro-chic aesthetic, which blends seamlessly with contemporary art installations and urban design. The itinerary concludes in Nagasaki, a charming coastal city with a cosmopolitan spirit and an openness to outside influences, where you can lose yourself amongst niche boutiques and vintage shops that tell stories of unique cultural fusions.