Shimabara Peninsula

A peninsula encircled by Mount Unzen's volcanoes. Steam rises from the Unzen Jigoku hot springs, and Obama Onsen offers seaside baths. Shimabara Castle and the Hara Castle ruins tell the history of the Shimabara Rebellion and the hidden Christians.

The Shimabara Peninsula lies in southeastern Nagasaki Prefecture, extending between the Ariake Sea and Tachibana Bay. At its center rises the Unzen volcanic group. Most of the peninsula is part of Unzen-Amakusa National Park, one of Japan's first national parks, and it has been recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Administratively, it is divided into Shimabara City in the northeast, Unzen City in the center-west, and Minami-Shimabara in the south.

The main sights fall into four areas. First, the Unzen hot spring resort sits on a plateau at about 700 meters. Steam rises from the Unzen Jigoku hells. You can take a ropeway from Nita Pass up to Myōken-dake, or hike up Fugen-dake for a close view of Heisei Shinzan, a new peak formed by the 1990–1995 eruptions. Second, on the east coast, Shimabara City has a reconstructed Shimabara Castle, samurai residences with water channels running through the streets, the Wakimizu spring district, where carp swim in the water, and the Unzen Disaster Memorial Museum, which documents volcanic disasters. Third, on the west coast, Obama Onsen has water at 105°C, the seaside Chōjin-yu footbath, and sunsets over Tachibana Bay. Fourth, at the southern tip is the Hara Castle ruins, a World Heritage Site. This was the last battlefield of the 1637 Shimabara–Amakusa Rebellion.

Getting there: From Nagasaki Station or Isahaya Station, a bus takes about 1.5 hours to Unzen Onsen. The Shimabara Railway runs from Isahaya to Shimabara. Ferries from Shimabara Gaiko port take about 30 to 60 minutes to Kumamoto Port, linking the peninsula with Kumamoto and Aso. Bus service within the peninsula is infrequent, so the best way to get around is by car on the loop road, about 100 km in total.

Plan 2 days: one day for Unzen and Obama, and one day for Shimabara City and Hara Castle. Spring is good for azaleas, autumn for red leaves, and winter for frost and hot springs. The rainy season in June and July brings heavy rain.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries