My first action was to contact my LinkedIn network on #Kyushu, island of Nansatsu. Travel agents/writers/photographers admitted they'd missed #Nansatsu. It seems a hidden gem even for regional pros! Some proposed to collaborate, and a #VisitKyushu Tourism Organization manager shared useful tips 🧵 3/
July 12, 2025 at 8:48 AM
My first action was to contact my LinkedIn network on #Kyushu, island of Nansatsu. Travel agents/writers/photographers admitted they'd missed #Nansatsu. It seems a hidden gem even for regional pros! Some proposed to collaborate, and a #VisitKyushu Tourism Organization manager shared useful tips 🧵 3/
I've not yet visited the area so my second action was to explore #Kagoshima Yurakukan, regional specialty store in #Tokyo: #Ibusuki onsen "cider", Satsuma ware made in #Nansatsu, brochures about each city… The staff kindly gave me tips for my business trip and local luxury travel 👍 🧵4 #AntennaShop
July 13, 2025 at 1:49 AM
I've not yet visited the area so my second action was to explore #Kagoshima Yurakukan, regional specialty store in #Tokyo: #Ibusuki onsen "cider", Satsuma ware made in #Nansatsu, brochures about each city… The staff kindly gave me tips for my business trip and local luxury travel 👍 🧵4 #AntennaShop
I just enjoyed 4 days in #Minobu (Buddhism) and #Gotemba (Mt Fuji hotel) to develop #JapanTravel despite 34℃, rain and #WorkLifeBalance off. Vegan meals OK everywhere! Now readying for 6-day consulting in #Nansatsu from tomorrow: sand hot spring, №1 tea, forced kamikaze… Read daily updates 🗓️
September 14, 2025 at 5:21 AM
I just enjoyed 4 days in #Minobu (Buddhism) and #Gotemba (Mt Fuji hotel) to develop #JapanTravel despite 34℃, rain and #WorkLifeBalance off. Vegan meals OK everywhere! Now readying for 6-day consulting in #Nansatsu from tomorrow: sand hot spring, №1 tea, forced kamikaze… Read daily updates 🗓️
Stark challenge: #Nansatsu population halved since 1950! Its 4 cities are #Ibusuki 67,977→39,011, #Makurazaki 34,480→20,033, #MinamiKyushu 82,021→33,080, and #MinamiSatsuma 89,852→32,887. Officials thus strive to attract some of Japan's foreign tourists (37 millions in 2024 maybe 40 in 2025?). 🧵 2/
July 12, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Stark challenge: #Nansatsu population halved since 1950! Its 4 cities are #Ibusuki 67,977→39,011, #Makurazaki 34,480→20,033, #MinamiKyushu 82,021→33,080, and #MinamiSatsuma 89,852→32,887. Officials thus strive to attract some of Japan's foreign tourists (37 millions in 2024 maybe 40 in 2025?). 🧵 2/
To inform my tourism recommendations for partners & officials, I dived into the Japanese brochures and hundreds of webpages on #Nansatsu to curate top spots, activities & foods in Google Sheets. I'll ask locals to help find interesting people, awards, vegan options, and story hooks. 🧵5 #consulting
July 13, 2025 at 2:30 AM
To inform my tourism recommendations for partners & officials, I dived into the Japanese brochures and hundreds of webpages on #Nansatsu to curate top spots, activities & foods in Google Sheets. I'll ask locals to help find interesting people, awards, vegan options, and story hooks. 🧵5 #consulting
🧵2/ #Nansatsu developed #FoodTourism around its Ibusuki Katsuobushi dried bonito, protected by #Japan Ministry Of Agriculture: process detailed in English, visits of rooms at -50℃ and +50℃, observation of staff, demonstration of defects, degustations, prayer at a shrine of the God Of Water…
September 16, 2025 at 3:50 PM
🧵2/ #Nansatsu developed #FoodTourism around its Ibusuki Katsuobushi dried bonito, protected by #Japan Ministry Of Agriculture: process detailed in English, visits of rooms at -50℃ and +50℃, observation of staff, demonstration of defects, degustations, prayer at a shrine of the God Of Water…
Grateful & thrilled to support a #JapanTravel colleague who chose me for consulting to fight depopulation and boost the economy in off-the-beaten-path #Kagoshima #Nansatsu. We'll visit soon 🙂 Stay tuned for info/photos and let me know if you visited the land of #JamesBond "You Only Live Twice"! 🧵 1/
July 12, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Grateful & thrilled to support a #JapanTravel colleague who chose me for consulting to fight depopulation and boost the economy in off-the-beaten-path #Kagoshima #Nansatsu. We'll visit soon 🙂 Stay tuned for info/photos and let me know if you visited the land of #JamesBond "You Only Live Twice"! 🧵 1/
🧵1/ Starting 6 days in #Nansatsu to develop #CulturalTourism, #GreenTourism and #FoodTourism that would intrigue you, with a colleague and officials from 4 #Kagoshima cities 🗾 Unique with sand hot springs, #Japan biggest tea production, local Loch Ness monster, a #HistoryTour about forced kamikaze…
September 15, 2025 at 1:49 AM
🧵1/ Starting 6 days in #Nansatsu to develop #CulturalTourism, #GreenTourism and #FoodTourism that would intrigue you, with a colleague and officials from 4 #Kagoshima cities 🗾 Unique with sand hot springs, #Japan biggest tea production, local Loch Ness monster, a #HistoryTour about forced kamikaze…
🧵8/ I experienced a natural steam sand bath, buried in hot sand up to my neck on a beach of #Ibusuki at Saraku Sand Bath Hall for the recommended 10 minutes. This volcanic blessing is rare in Japan & worldwide. Technically, you'd wear a yukata robe during this #Nansatsu #GreenTourism. Avoid summer!
September 17, 2025 at 4:02 PM
🧵8/ I experienced a natural steam sand bath, buried in hot sand up to my neck on a beach of #Ibusuki at Saraku Sand Bath Hall for the recommended 10 minutes. This volcanic blessing is rare in Japan & worldwide. Technically, you'd wear a yukata robe during this #Nansatsu #GreenTourism. Avoid summer!
🧵5/ Catching cold noodles swirling around our table at the birthplace of revolving somen noodles was fun 🌀 We lunched in #Ibusuki at Tosenkyo Somen-nagashi restaurant, using local spring water in the Top 100 sources of #Japan Ministry of Land 🏆 Enjoy #FoodTourism & #GreenTourism in #Nansatsu region!
September 17, 2025 at 11:48 AM
🧵5/ Catching cold noodles swirling around our table at the birthplace of revolving somen noodles was fun 🌀 We lunched in #Ibusuki at Tosenkyo Somen-nagashi restaurant, using local spring water in the Top 100 sources of #Japan Ministry of Land 🏆 Enjoy #FoodTourism & #GreenTourism in #Nansatsu region!
🧵12/ #Makurazaki developed #FoodTourism around its Makurazaki Katsuobushi dried bonito, protected by #Japan Ministry Of Agriculture. Local Nakahara Suisan innovates (dashi black vinegar gelée…) and teaches dashi making (1,200+ foreigners for miso-soup home cooking, ramen shop creation…). #Nansatsu
September 21, 2025 at 4:41 AM
🧵12/ #Makurazaki developed #FoodTourism around its Makurazaki Katsuobushi dried bonito, protected by #Japan Ministry Of Agriculture. Local Nakahara Suisan innovates (dashi black vinegar gelée…) and teaches dashi making (1,200+ foreigners for miso-soup home cooking, ramen shop creation…). #Nansatsu
🧵6/ Surprise! #Nansatsu produces mangoes. Head to #Ibusuki Mango Forest like me to savour fresh fruit, jam, juice, or foods like the huge Mango White Bear (shaved ice + mango chunks). Elsewhere, you'll also find Ibusuki mango soda. The smiley owner was very kind & welcoming. #VeganJapan #FoodTourism
September 17, 2025 at 2:04 PM
🧵6/ Surprise! #Nansatsu produces mangoes. Head to #Ibusuki Mango Forest like me to savour fresh fruit, jam, juice, or foods like the huge Mango White Bear (shaved ice + mango chunks). Elsewhere, you'll also find Ibusuki mango soda. The smiley owner was very kind & welcoming. #VeganJapan #FoodTourism
🧵7/ Astonished! #Ibusuki Seiryu-ji temple is new (1990) and widespread, with unusual designs, a golden building, marble statues, meditation, yoga… and a rental house for comfortable temple stays. Great for #SpiritualTourism in #Nansatsu and for #CulturalTourism about #Buddhism in modern society.
September 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
🧵7/ Astonished! #Ibusuki Seiryu-ji temple is new (1990) and widespread, with unusual designs, a golden building, marble statues, meditation, yoga… and a rental house for comfortable temple stays. Great for #SpiritualTourism in #Nansatsu and for #CulturalTourism about #Buddhism in modern society.
🧵4/ Mount Kaimon is everywhere today, seen from the road, Ryugu Shrine, Nishi-Oyama train station… We lack 7 hours to climb its spiral trail with rocks, stairs and ladders (great for strong trekkers and #GreenTourism) and enjoy the breathtaking view of #Ibusuki and #Nansatsu beyond from its summit.
September 16, 2025 at 11:39 PM
🧵4/ Mount Kaimon is everywhere today, seen from the road, Ryugu Shrine, Nishi-Oyama train station… We lack 7 hours to climb its spiral trail with rocks, stairs and ladders (great for strong trekkers and #GreenTourism) and enjoy the breathtaking view of #Ibusuki and #Nansatsu beyond from its summit.
🧵17/ #MinamiKyushu Bandpark naturally fits in #GreenTourism around #Nansatsu: conservation of seahorses (local victims of the climate crisis), camping up in trees, kayaking in a volcanic pond reputedly leading to an underwater Dragon Palace… You may also enjoy coffee (no time for me to taste it).
September 22, 2025 at 9:16 AM
🧵17/ #MinamiKyushu Bandpark naturally fits in #GreenTourism around #Nansatsu: conservation of seahorses (local victims of the climate crisis), camping up in trees, kayaking in a volcanic pond reputedly leading to an underwater Dragon Palace… You may also enjoy coffee (no time for me to taste it).
🧵11/ #Nansatsu region produces most Japanese #tea 🍵 #MinamiKyushu Marukawa Farm welcomed us in its 20-species fields, some organic 🌿 Comparative chewing, drinking naturally-sweet cold/hot #Chiran tea, discussing typhoons… was fun! Great for #FoodTourism and #GreenTourism, with #VeganJapan lunch 👍
September 21, 2025 at 4:04 AM
🧵11/ #Nansatsu region produces most Japanese #tea 🍵 #MinamiKyushu Marukawa Farm welcomed us in its 20-species fields, some organic 🌿 Comparative chewing, drinking naturally-sweet cold/hot #Chiran tea, discussing typhoons… was fun! Great for #FoodTourism and #GreenTourism, with #VeganJapan lunch 👍
🧵20/ Resuming #FoodTourism, we lunched healthily at #MinamiKyushu Shunshun Terrace, which serves steamed local seasonal vegetables with 8-grain rice, miso soup, and pickles. Options: wagyu beef, black pork… with salt, a ponzu citrus-based sauce, and a sesame sauce. #Nansatsu
September 22, 2025 at 10:51 AM
🧵20/ Resuming #FoodTourism, we lunched healthily at #MinamiKyushu Shunshun Terrace, which serves steamed local seasonal vegetables with 8-grain rice, miso soup, and pickles. Options: wagyu beef, black pork… with salt, a ponzu citrus-based sauce, and a sesame sauce. #Nansatsu
🧵10/ Satsuma Densho-kan museum gathers only-one #SatsumaWare exported to Europe and copied in Kyoto after Paris' 1867 World Expo. Our fascinating #Nansatsu guide covered the making from local #Ibusuki soil, collection, and context in English… and you can dine among artworks here! #CulturalTourism
September 21, 2025 at 2:21 AM
🧵10/ Satsuma Densho-kan museum gathers only-one #SatsumaWare exported to Europe and copied in Kyoto after Paris' 1867 World Expo. Our fascinating #Nansatsu guide covered the making from local #Ibusuki soil, collection, and context in English… and you can dine among artworks here! #CulturalTourism
🧵9/ On a #honeymoon or doing #CulturalTourism in #Nansatsu? Stay at #Ibusuki Hakusuikan inn: diverse luxury, unique steam sand bath, open-air hot spring (tattoos OK if hidden/patched), ocean sunrise (New Year: full), English/Chinese OK, suitable for MICE… We were sad to sleep there only 1 night!
September 21, 2025 at 1:23 AM
🧵9/ On a #honeymoon or doing #CulturalTourism in #Nansatsu? Stay at #Ibusuki Hakusuikan inn: diverse luxury, unique steam sand bath, open-air hot spring (tattoos OK if hidden/patched), ocean sunrise (New Year: full), English/Chinese OK, suitable for MICE… We were sad to sleep there only 1 night!
🧵14/ First whisky distillery I ever visited, #Makurazaki Hinokami stands out during #FoodTourism in #Nansatsu with its all-glass modern building and huge semi-automated storage. See/touch/taste ingredients, learn in English, and question the interpreter. You'll soon be able to also taste #whisky 🥃
September 21, 2025 at 9:20 AM
🧵14/ First whisky distillery I ever visited, #Makurazaki Hinokami stands out during #FoodTourism in #Nansatsu with its all-glass modern building and huge semi-automated storage. See/touch/taste ingredients, learn in English, and question the interpreter. You'll soon be able to also taste #whisky 🥃
🧵21/ Chiran Peace Museum teaches WW2 history about #MinamiKyushu and kamikaze pilots. Interesting, it features barracks, pilots' letters/testaments… but its English texts/audio lack the emotions and familial impact well conveyed at Bansei Tokko Peace Museum (start your #Nansatsu #HistoryTour there).
September 22, 2025 at 12:23 PM
🧵21/ Chiran Peace Museum teaches WW2 history about #MinamiKyushu and kamikaze pilots. Interesting, it features barracks, pilots' letters/testaments… but its English texts/audio lack the emotions and familial impact well conveyed at Bansei Tokko Peace Museum (start your #Nansatsu #HistoryTour there).
🧵3/ We visited Ryugu Shrine, reputedly near the submerged Dragon Palace, and dedicated to Princess Toyotama (grandma of Japan's first emperor Jimmu), central in Urashima-taro legend. Write a prayer on a shell to the Matchmaking Deity & Seas Protector or just do #CulturalTourism. #Nansatsu #Ibusuki
September 16, 2025 at 10:16 PM
🧵3/ We visited Ryugu Shrine, reputedly near the submerged Dragon Palace, and dedicated to Princess Toyotama (grandma of Japan's first emperor Jimmu), central in Urashima-taro legend. Write a prayer on a shell to the Matchmaking Deity & Seas Protector or just do #CulturalTourism. #Nansatsu #Ibusuki
🧵18/ While driving during our #HistoryTour, we stopped at a spot in #MinamiKyushu matching Japanese #WW2 pilots' view when flying towards Okinawa for their last (suicide) mission, saying goodbye at Mount Kaimon. You may find it poignant after visiting #Nansatsu peace museums…
September 22, 2025 at 9:35 AM
🧵18/ While driving during our #HistoryTour, we stopped at a spot in #MinamiKyushu matching Japanese #WW2 pilots' view when flying towards Okinawa for their last (suicide) mission, saying goodbye at Mount Kaimon. You may find it poignant after visiting #Nansatsu peace museums…
🧵19/ Our guide at #MinamiKyushu Iwaya Park extended our #Nansatsu #HistoryTour with Kiyomizu Magaibutsu, ±200 #Buddhist carvings on a 20x400m cliff, including a 12m-tall Heian-period (794-1185) carving. These Sanskrit characters are reputedly Japan's best for size & beauty. How did they do???
September 22, 2025 at 10:20 AM
🧵19/ Our guide at #MinamiKyushu Iwaya Park extended our #Nansatsu #HistoryTour with Kiyomizu Magaibutsu, ±200 #Buddhist carvings on a 20x400m cliff, including a 12m-tall Heian-period (794-1185) carving. These Sanskrit characters are reputedly Japan's best for size & beauty. How did they do???
🧵13/ You know sake Japanese alcohol but not #shochu? Visit #Makurazaki Meijigura distillery during #Nansatsu #FoodTourism: English labels, interpreter, sweet potato checks, tastings… Like me, mix with a stick then enjoy the bubbling! Unexpectedly, this surpassed most of my visits at sake breweries 🍶
September 21, 2025 at 8:25 AM
🧵13/ You know sake Japanese alcohol but not #shochu? Visit #Makurazaki Meijigura distillery during #Nansatsu #FoodTourism: English labels, interpreter, sweet potato checks, tastings… Like me, mix with a stick then enjoy the bubbling! Unexpectedly, this surpassed most of my visits at sake breweries 🍶