Skip to content
Archipelago

    Kyushu

    九州, Kjúšú, Kyūshū

    32°29′N 131°06′E

    Kyushu is the third-largest and most southerly of Japan's four main islands. In the past, it has been known as Kyūkoku (九国, "Nine Countries"), Chinzei (鎮西, "West of the Pacified Area") and Tsukushi-no-shima (筑紫島, "Island of Tsukushi"). The historical regional name Saikaidō (西海道; lit.

    Terra's satellite picture of Kyushu, Japan. 01:55 - 02:00, October 27, 2009(UTC)
    Terra's satellite picture of Kyushu, Japan. 01:55 - 02:00, October 27, 2009(UTC)

    NASA / Public domain

    Terrain

    32°29′N 131°06′E

    Terrain exaggerated for relief. Drag to look around.

    Overview

    Kyushu is the third-largest and most southerly of Japan's four main islands. In the past, it has been known as Kyūkoku (九国, "Nine Countries"), Chinzei (鎮西, "West of the Pacified Area") and Tsukushi-no-shima (筑紫島, "Island of Tsukushi"). The historical regional name Saikaidō (西海道; lit. West Sea Circuit) referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands. Kyushu has a land area of 36,782 square kilometres (14,202 sq mi) and a population of 12,382,121 as of 2025, a population size similar to New Guinea or Cuba. There is a theory that Kyushu was in ancient times home to its own independent dynasty, where a unique, southern-influenced culture and tradition distinct from that of Honshu flourished. In the 8th-century Taihō Code reforms, Dazaifu was established as a special administrative term for the region.

    From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Chart

    Nearest islands

    Also in four main islands of Japan

    • Honshu

      227,970 km²▲ 3,776 m

      Major islands

    • Hokkaido

      77,983 km²▲ 2,291 m

      Major islands

    • Shikoku

      18,284 km²▲ 1,982 m

      Major islands

    Also in Japanese archipelago

    Also in Pacific Islands

    • New Guinea

      774,566 km²▲ 4,884 m

      Major islands

    • Japan

      377,974 km²

      Major islands

    • New Zealand

      268,021 km²

      Major islands

    • Honshu

      227,970 km²▲ 3,776 m

      Major islands

    • Luzon

      104,935 km²▲ 2,928 m

      Major islands

    • Mindanao

      93,885 km²▲ 2,954 m

      Major islands

    • Hokkaido

      77,983 km²▲ 2,291 m

      Minor islands

    • Sakhalin

      74,571 km²▲ 1,609 m

      Minor islands

    Sources

    Facts

    • Geometry, areas and high points: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Copernicus GLO-30, via Talus.
    • Talus
    • Wikidata
    • Wikipedia

    Photographs