The Kyushu region is located in southwestern Japan and consists of seven prefectures; Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. Fukuoka City is the central city of Kyushu and an economic and cultural hub. It is also rich in natural tourist attractions, such as the volcanically active Mount Aso and Sakurajima, and the hot spring resorts of Beppu and Kurokawa Onsen. Historically, Nagasaki is famous for its opening to the outside world and Christian culture during the Edo period (1603-1868), and is a popular tourist destination.