Kyushu Online Media Center

Visit Kyushu
The Official Kyushu Travel Guide

Summer

Summer

Beach & Glamping

Fukue Island: A Tropical Paradise within Reach of Nagasaki

With pristine beaches and azure blue seas, the island of Fukue, one of the Goto Islands of Nagasaki, is a summer destination in the Kyushu region. Along with its beaches, Fukue boasts several luxury camping facilities for sleeping under the beautiful summer skies. And the food? Let’s just say that abundant locally sourced foods are available year-round in these islands, and you’ll never be disappointed dining on the local cuisine.
Miyazaki’s Nichinan Coast | Fukue Island

Breathtaking Seascape at Takahama Beach

Day 1
Ranked among the top 100 beaches in Japan for both beauty and swimming, Takahama Beach is a gorgeous site on the west coast of Fukue. Because of its distance from the city center, about 45 minutes by car, it is rarely crowded, and social distancing should be easy here most days of the year. The water remains shallow far away from the shore, making it a safe beach for children or non-swimmers to play in. Full facilities, including bathrooms and showers, are available during the peak summer season. Be sure to stop at the Gyoran Kannon Observation Point, where a large Buddhist statue overlooks one of the best views of Takahama Beach from the cliffs.

Scenic Views from Osezaki Lighthouse

The Osezaki Lighthouse is an icon of Fukue Island, and approaching it is all the more exciting when you first see it from the observation deck on the bluffs above. To fully appreciate the journey through the surrounding natural beauty, take the hour-long round-trip hike from the parking lot down to the lighthouse. Even on a warm summer day, the hike is comfortable, as much of the trail is in the shade of a dense grove of camellia trees. On the outcropping the lighthouse stands on, feel the cool ocean breeze on your face as you soak in the breathtaking views of the rugged coastline. The hike is demanding but well maintained with paved paths and staircases, so you’ll be glad you made the effort.

Glamping at Nordisk Village

This glamping facility is a collaboration between the Danish outdoor equipment company Nordisk and a group of enterprising locals. Each of the five Nordisk Village locations around the world is unique, and this site on Fukue is the only one in Asia. Building on the luxurious Nordisk canvas tents and outdoor furnishings, interiors are filled with amenities such as comfortable beds, small appliances, and climate control. Inside a renovated old schoolhouse on site, Nordisk Village includes a community space for cooking and socializing, a few indoor accommodations, and an on-site restaurant for those who prefer to have their meals prepared for them. Have the staff set up a campfire outside your tent, and enjoy an evening snuggling up with a loved one or swapping stories with friends.

Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Experience

Day 2
Whether you are a seasoned SUP surfer or have never set foot on one, Fukue is the perfect place to enjoy your next SUP experience. The waters on the east coast of Fukue can be calm as glass in the summer, so even the most inexperienced beginner can learn how to stand on a paddleboard with ease, assisted by one of the island’s friendly instructors. When you’re comfortable standing on your own, take a leisurely paddle inside the breakwater, or venture out along the coastline until you arrive at nearby Kojushi Beach, where a vehicle will be waiting to bring you back to where you started.

Local Dining at Tsubaki Chaya

Summer in Kyushu wouldn’t be complete without a taste of the Goto Islands’ unique cuisine. At Tsubaki Chaya, feast on numerous seasonal delights including various fish, shellfish, and island-grown vegetables as they are grilled in front of you at your table. You’ll also sample kankoro mochi, a sweet dish made with pounded rice and local sweet potatoes that originated in the Goto Islands. Tsubaki Chaya sits on a bluff overlooking the Fukue coastline, so enjoy the view from the floor-to-ceiling windows while you fill your belly with fresh Goto delicacies.

Itineraries

DAY 1
9:00 - 12:00
Takahama Beach
12:00 - 13:00
Lunch at Bigwave on the beach or nearby restaurant
14:00 - 17:00
Visit Osezaki Lighthouse Observation Point and hike to the lighthouse
18:00 - 18:30
Check in to Nordisk Village glamping facility
18:30 - 20:00
Enjoy a leisurely dinner at Taoflat Kitchen at Nordisk Village
20:00 -
Relax under the stars outside your tent
DAY 2
9:00 - 12:00
SUP Lesson or Experience
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch at Tsubaki Chaya
14:00 - 17:00
Relax on nearby Kojushi Beach
18:00 - 20:00
Dinner and drinks at a restaurant in central Goto city

Share this Page

You may also like...