If you were born and raised in the city like me, you’d know that we tend to live on a frequency of haste, noise and action surrounded by concrete, metal and soot. Life and entertainment is intense and so taking a trip to the countryside seems like pouring a bucket of cold water on flames leaping from a sizzling dish. Bland, boring and quiet. However, nature is anything but quiet in Kyushu, Japan’s third’s biggest island. The volcanoes are active, its lava constantly keeping the earth warm. The soil rich, the greenery vast and the people work hard and thrive on the frequency of Mother Nature herself. Just a two-hour flight from Tokyo will take you to any of Kyushu’s 7 prefectures; Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima, each with their own historical heritage, craftsmanship and charm. Known as the ‘Southern Jewel’ of Kyushu, Kagoshima boasts some of the most beautiful beaches and coral, crystal clear waters on Amami Islands to rival that of Okinawa, but with the added bonus of few tourists and peace and quiet. If you prefer an active adventure, then UNESCO World Heritage emerald forest of Yakushima offers many hiking tours through its lush green world. A 15min ferry ride from Kagoshima city takes you to Sakurajima Island, home to one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Sakurajima is a special island that perfectly embodies the Japanese spirit, ancient customs and religious Shinto beliefs of living together with nature, not in fear, but in true harmony. I couldn’t help but be inspired by the locals calm, awareness and respect for the volcano despite seeing it shoot small puffs of smoke into the air daily. The geothermal energy from the volcano provides all of Kyushu with free outdoor public geothermal foot spas but the most comprehensive place to fully experience the power of the earth is none other than Beppu in Oita. Loved by Japanese citizens, Beppu has the largest source of varied hot springs venues in all of Japan! Be sure to try your first-ever sand bath. Just 10 minutes of being enveloped in the warm, volcanic sand is more than enough to stimulate your blood circulation and detoxify your skin, leaving you internally warm and cosy for up to forty minutes afterwards, so highly recommended in the cooler seasons. Nagasaki is renowned as the first port of contact with Westerners on Hirado Island in the 17th century as well as for its largest Christian population, churches and rice terraces where the Christians hid to evade persecution. Rich with history and international cultural influences from China and Korea, Nagasaki is a history buff’s treasure cove. With four of the seven prefectures sharing coasts along the Ariake Sea, the seafood in Kyushu is second to none. You can visit restaurants that let you grill fresh clams and shellfish with your friends. Even better, you can engage in numerous hands-on food experiences such as making and eating your own soba noodles at Nishiyamada Farm in Saga, a fun activity for adults and children alike. You’ll realise that food tastes much better when you’ve made it yourself with a lot of love. If you love tea or green tea in all its various forms, then you’ll truly appreciate the renowned tea town Ureshino, in Saga. Perhaps the most quintessential experience is Ureshino chadoki. This hour-long tea ceremony is performed outside on a raised tower platform, in the tea fields the leaves were harvested in. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what Kyushu offers. You could dedicate an entire fortnight or more to this island alone as part of your Japan adventure and be rewarded with very special and unique memories. What I didn’t expect to find? The bustle of rural daily life, the excitement of grand natural landscapes, time travel portals to historical towns, hands-on activities for 1000-year old plus traditional crafts and the core spirit of the Japanese people in an environment that’d seem ‘boring’ to many urban dwellers. I found rural life in Kyushu is as exciting as the city without the crowds of Tokyo or Kyoto. It’s an adventure into a new world that’s waiting for you to begin.