Kyushu, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Oita, Nagasaki, Saga and Miyazaki are preparing for a major tourism incentive programme from October 1, 2026, giving travellers a new opportunity to explore southern Japan at substantially reduced prices. The Kyushu Fukko Ouenwari, or Kyushu Recovery Support Discount, will support eligible one-night-or-more travel and accommodation products across all seven prefectures. The discount rate will reach 60 per cent in Kumamoto and Kagoshima, while Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita and Miyazaki will receive 50 per cent support. The programme follows the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake and is designed to stimulate tourism demand across the region.
Kyushu Opens a New Window for Travellers
For travellers looking beyond Japan’s busiest tourist routes, the new support programme creates an opportunity to explore a much wider section of the country. Kyushu combines major cities, volcanic landscapes, hot-spring resorts, coastal destinations, historic towns and food-focused travel, allowing visitors to build itineraries around several different experiences.
The programme applies to travel and accommodation products involving at least one overnight stay. The national tourism authorities have confirmed that the initiative will begin with stays from October 1, although each prefecture will determine its own booking start date and eligible travel period.
This means travellers planning autumn and winter journeys should check the individual arrangements for the prefecture they intend to visit before making a booking.
Kumamoto and Kagoshima Offer the Highest Discounts
Kumamoto and Kagoshima will receive the highest support level, at 60 per cent of eligible travel or accommodation costs. The two prefectures have experienced significant booking cancellations following the July 2026 earthquake, making them central to the tourism recovery programme.
Kumamoto provides access to some of Kyushu’s best-known volcanic landscapes, including the Mt Aso area. Visitors can explore volcanic scenery, hot springs, rural landscapes and traditional accommodation while travelling through central Kyushu.
Kagoshima offers a different southern Japan experience, with volcanic scenery, coastal areas, hot springs and access to destinations such as Sakurajima. The prefecture also provides connections towards southern islands, creating possibilities for longer regional itineraries.
Fukuoka Connects International Travel
Fukuoka is receiving a 50 per cent discount under the programme and remains an important gateway for travellers arriving in Kyushu. The city combines urban attractions, shopping, food culture and transport connections with other parts of the island.
Visitors can use Fukuoka as the starting point for a multi-stop journey, travelling onward towards Nagasaki, Oita, Kumamoto or other prefectures. Its position within the regional transport network makes it particularly useful for travellers who want to combine city tourism with countryside, hot springs and coastal destinations.
Fukuoka’s famous food culture also makes it an important stop for travellers exploring Kyushu’s culinary identity, including its well-known ramen traditions.
Oita Brings Hot Springs Into the Itinerary
Oita is another prefecture covered by the 50 per cent support rate. The area is particularly associated with hot-spring tourism, with Beppu among the best-known destinations.
Beppu’s extensive hot-spring environment gives travellers opportunities to include bathing experiences within a wider Kyushu itinerary. Visitors can combine a stay in the resort city with excursions into surrounding landscapes and other destinations across Oita.
The discount programme therefore creates an opportunity to connect accommodation-based hot-spring travel with broader sightseeing across Kyushu.
Nagasaki Adds History and Coastal Travel
Nagasaki provides another distinct experience for travellers using the new regional support scheme. The city is known for its international history, waterfront setting and cultural attractions, while surrounding areas offer islands, coastal landscapes and additional heritage sites.
A journey through Nagasaki can be combined with other Kyushu destinations, particularly when travellers use the multi-prefecture provisions available under the programme.
The ability to travel across prefectural borders is significant because Kyushu’s attractions are spread throughout the island rather than concentrated in one urban centre.
Saga and Miyazaki Expand the Choices
Saga, also covered by the 50 per cent discount, offers travellers access to historic and cultural attractions, traditional ceramics, coastal landscapes and hot-spring destinations. Its location between Fukuoka and Nagasaki also makes it convenient for multi-destination itineraries.
Miyazaki provides a warmer southern setting with beaches, coastal scenery, shrines and outdoor attractions. Visitors can combine nature-focused activities with cultural sightseeing and local food experiences.
Together, the seven prefectures create a broad travel map covering urban tourism, mountains, volcanoes, beaches, hot springs, history and food.
Multi-Prefecture Journeys Can Receive Higher Support
The programme also encourages travellers to move between different parts of Kyushu. A one-night accommodation or accommodation-and-transport package can receive a discount of up to ¥20,000, while qualifying transport-inclusive trips of two or more nights can receive up to ¥30,000. Multi-prefecture travel products covering stays in two or more prefectures can qualify for discounts of up to ¥35,000.
This structure makes a longer Kyushu itinerary particularly relevant for travellers who want to experience several destinations rather than staying in one location.
International Travellers Can Explore More of Japan
The support programme is also relevant to inbound tourism. Current information indicates that overseas visitors can qualify, although exact booking procedures and prefecture-specific conditions are still being finalised.
For international travellers, the combination of reduced travel costs and Kyushu’s extensive destination network could make it easier to plan journeys beyond the country’s most heavily visited tourist centres.
A traveller could begin in Fukuoka, continue to Saga and Nagasaki, travel through Kumamoto for volcanic landscapes, then head towards Oita’s hot springs or south to Kagoshima and Miyazaki.
Kyushu Tourism Enters a Major Travel Period
The new discounts give travellers a practical reason to look more closely at Kyushu as the October travel period approaches. With support ranging from 50 to 60 per cent and higher maximum discounts available for qualifying longer and multi-prefecture journeys, the programme covers a broad range of travel styles.
From Mt Aso and Kumamoto’s volcanic scenery to Kagoshima’s southern landscapes, Fukuoka’s food culture, Oita’s hot springs, Nagasaki’s historic streets, Saga’s cultural attractions and Miyazaki’s coastline, Kyushu offers a diverse route through Japan.
As each prefecture finalises its booking dates and detailed arrangements, travellers planning autumn 2026 journeys will have a new opportunity to explore Kyushu through a regional tourism programme that connects seven prefectures and a wide range of Japanese travel experiences.
