Northern Kyūshū’s National Parks: A Tapestry of Active Volcanoes, Blue Seas, and Myriad Islands

Mount Fugen as seen from the second observation post at Nita Pass. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

Heisei Shinzan, the highest peak in the Unzen range, formed from a lava dome just a quarter of a century ago. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

There are more than 30 hot springs near Mount Unzen, most of which are known colloquially as jigoku, or “hells,” for their habit of spewing out steam reeking of sulfur. (© Pixta)

Sunset over “Amakusa Matsushima,” as seen from the Takabutoyama observation point on Kamishima. (© Pixta)

It is possible to spot dolphins year round in the Hayasaki Straits between Minami Shimabara and Shimoshima. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

Daikanbō-dake, one of several peaks on Mount Kitagairin, offers a panoramic view distant pinnacles and rice paddies in the sprawling caldera of Mount Aso. (© Pixta)

The crater of Naka-dake dusted with winter snow. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

Kusasenrigahama, the remains of an extinct crater, is about one kilometer in diameter and offers a magnificent landscape of meadows and ponds. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

Komezuka formed around 3,000 years ago and still sports the remains of its crater at the top. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

Chōjabaru at Handa Highland on the Yamanami Highway, a roadway running from Aso to Beppu via the Kujū Range. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

The Tadewara wetlands, located at an altitude of 1,000 meters on the Chōjabaru plateau, support a wide range of marsh plants. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

Looking over a sea of Kyūshū Azaleas toward Mount Mimata and the Kujū mountains beyond. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

Mount Tsurumi as seen from Mount Yufu. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

The Ōsezaki cliffs on Fukue Island stretch for 15 kilometers at a height of more than 100 meters. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

The view over Kujūkushima, photographed from the observation point on Mount Ishi. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

Looking over the azaleas in Nagushiyama Park toward Kujūkushima. (© Pixta)

The basalt lava plateau, called Kawachi pass, at Hirado is a popular scenic spot that offers great views of the Genkai Sea and Kujūkushima. (© Pixta)

The Nokubi Church, built in 1908, is on uninhabited Nozaki Island. (© Pixta)

The white sand beach at Takahama on Fukue Island is a popular spot with swimmers. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)

The Kanmon Straits seen from an observation area at Mekari Park. (© Pixta)

Himeshima’s Kannonzaki, with its obsidian cliff, juts into the sea. (Courtesy Kyūshū Tourism Promotion Organization)