Ibusuki & Satsuma peninsula
Satsuma peninsula extends about 50 kilometers south from Kagoshima-city,
making up the southwestern section of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The peninsula offers a mixture of hot springs, subtropical natural attractions and cultural sites.
Ibusuki is an onsen resort that is famous for its sand baths, where bathers are buried in
naturally heated sand.
Steaming sand bath
It is best known for its steaming sand baths along the beach, where bathers in a yukata, or Japanese bathrobe
get buried in the sand up to their neck. The sand heated by steam containing marine minerals is scientifically proven to have therapeutic effects on neuralgia, rheumatism, back pain and other ailments.
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Sand Bath Hall SARAKU |
Sand Bath, Kinko bay |
Sand Bath |
A circumference of 15 km and a maximum depth of 233 meter, where was created by
volcanic activity long ago. Large eel with a length of 2 meter and circumference of 50 cm
inhabit the lake. It was also known as the lake of a legendary monster called ” Issy”
purported to live in the lake.
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Monster called Issy |
Flower garden |
Mount Kaimon |
The Station is the southernmost railway station in Japan operated by JR,
boasts a breathtaking view of Kaimon-dake volcano to the front.
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It is the Urashima Taro legendary shrine peninsula and this shrine is becoming popular as a power
spot of matchmaking and good fortune in love.
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The cape is the southernmost point of Satsuma peninsula, where a white lighthouse stands.
You can enjoy the view of the magnificent Mount Kaimondake and rocks with the sea spray
wearing them. The Cape is said to be the birthplace of the legend of Ryugu.
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Enjoy tasting Shochu at the most famous Shochu brewery in Kagoshima
Meiji-gura is Satsuma Shuzo’s Shochu brewery and museum.
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Makurazaki Osakana Center
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The unique Somen noodle nagashi in Tosenkyo revine in Kaimon open throughout the year
serving cold Somen noodle that swim in the revloving container.
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Location of Ibusuki
General information on Ibusuki-city
| Address |
City hall ; 2424 Juchu Ibusuki-city, Kagoshima-prefecture |
| Access | 1 hour and 40 minutes by a vehicle from Kagoshima Airport
50 minutes by a vehicle from Kagoshima-chuo JR Station 55 minuted by JR Express train from Kagoshima-chuo JR Station 1 hour and 15 minutes by local train from from Kagoshima-chuo JR Station |
| Transportation |
Kagoshima kotsu bus |
| Population | 40,000 Pupulation density : 270 / km2 |
Yufuin
Yufuin is a beautiful and quietly rustic Onsen Resort where one of the
most popular among ladies and International tourist visits to here are increasing.
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Yufuin is located near Beppu in a green valley beneath the spectacular Mt. Yufu, a short walk from the
town center will take you to a mix of paddy fields, housing and unmarked Ryokan, with the old temple
thrown in.
Explore Yufuin
One of landmark in Yufuin. Hot water gushes from the bottom of the lake, and hot
steam rises from its surface on a cold day. The lake is located at the end of the town’s main
walking route, about a kilometer and a half from the Yufuin station
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The old public outdoor bath with a thatched roof beside Kinrinko lake in Yufuin.
The bathing here is mixed, as baths often were before the arrival, during the Meiji period
( 1869 – 1912).
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Yufuin Floral Village
Reproduced the townscape of the Cotswold region in England.
The place was also used for Harry Potter’s shooting location.
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Wander about the street
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Kamenoi Besso, a featured accommodation around Kinrinko lake
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Location of Yufuin
Shimabara
Region spread in the foot of gentle mountain and facing to calm sea
Shimabara is consist of two cities on Shimabara peninsula, Shimabara-city west side of
peninsula and Minami-Shmabara-city south-west side of peninsula.
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Located in the foot of mount Unzen and facing Ariake Bay, and those geographical conditions
and mild climate create natural scenic beauty
in the east and Mt. Unzen including Mt. Fugen.
The region offers various enjoyable things such as Nature, Onsen, Castle town of Shimabara-city,
Hidden Christian history as well as Local Gourmets.
Exploring Shimabara
Located in Shimabara-city and was built in 1625 by the feudal load Matsukura Shigemasa, who was
regarded as a master of castle building.
The castle, which took 7 years to complete, is also known as “Moritake Castle”.
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Samurai was a term for the military nobility in pre-industrial Japan.
The Samurai Houses in Shimabara along the old Samurai street nearby Shimabara Castle
were built in 18th century.
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Site of Historic Battle field of Shimabara Rebellion, registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site
as Hidden Christian Site, to tell the Christian faith continued even during the ban on Christianity.
Located in Minami-Shimabara-city, the Battle field of Shimabara Rebellion which was a peasant
uprising agaist bakufu’s persecution of Christians under the leadership of Amakusa Shiro in 1637.
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Ferry to Kumamoto, from Shimabara
Two ferries are operated form Shimabara to Kumamoto
Kyusho Ferry : operated by Kyusho Ferry, 60 minutes ride
Ocean Arrow : operated by Kumamoto Ferry, 30 minutes ride
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Shimabara port |
Ocean Arrow |
Kumamoto port |
Ferry to Amakusa (Oniike) , from Kuchinotsu (Minami-Shimabara-city)
Shimatetsu Ferry : operated by Shinabara Rail Way, 30 minutes ride.
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Kuchinotsu port |
Kuchinotsu |
To Amakusa |
Location of Shimabara
General information
| Address | Shimabara-city, Nagasaki-prefecture |
| Access |
90 minutes by a vihecle from Nagasaki-city 70 minutes by a vihecle from Nagasaki Air port 30 minutes by a vihecle from Unzen-city |
Obama Onsen
Onsen Resort facing to Tachibana bay
Located at western foot of Mount Unzen, and consist of Shimabara peninsula Onsen Resort
along with Unzen Onsen Resort and Shimabara Onsen Resort.
About 30 Hotels and Japanese style accommodation are standing along the Tachibana bay
and there are 3 public baths where visitor can use.
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The Japan’s highest radiation calorie of hot spring. (radiation calorie is calculated in hot water
temperature multiplied hot water yield)
Some of them reaching 80-100 °C and producing over 15,000 tons of hot water daily.
Your own cooking can be enjoyed made by Onsen steam using local ingredients such as
vegetables and fishes
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Called “ Hot foot 105”
The length of foot bath is 105m which is same number of the hot spring source temperature of
105 degree Celsius.
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There are various kind of gift shops and restaurants around the foot bath.
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Featured tours related to Unzen and Obama
・6 days North-West Kyushu tour
・Hidden Christian History tour
Unzen Onsen Resort
Beautiful highland Onsen Resort situated Unzen National Park
The area was the first area to be designated as a National Park in Japan.
Whether you are taking in the stunning panoramic views from top one of the many peaks
including Nita-toge Pass or looking up these volcanic mountains or Fugen, you will marvel
at the spectacular scenery. As each season brings a vivid change to the appearance the face
of Unzen you may wish to return again and again to enjoy the full range of rich variations.
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Unzen Bus center |
Unzen Jigoku |
Nita pass |
Stay in Unzen
There are 17 Hotels and Japanese style inns around Unzen Jigoku.
From every hotel, beautiful scenery which changes by season can be enjoyed.
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Featured distinations
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Bideo Museum |
Bideo Museum |
Unzen Golf Course |
Characteristics of hot spring
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Efficacy of hot spring
Location of Unzen
Access to Unzen
・30 minutes by car from Shimabara
・80 minutes by car from Nagasaki-city
・2 and half hours by car from Fukuoka-city
Sujiyu Onsen
A tranquil Onsen Resort at Waita mountain foot of 1000 metre altitude
The Resort is located in Kokonoe, Oitapprefecture near Yufuin.
It is said that the Onsen was founded more than 1,000 years ago, and now there
are 30 Japanese style accommodations called Ryokan in there.
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Featured tours related to Okubungo region
・6 days North-East Kyushu tour
Aso region
Aso region is one of the most popular tourist destination in Kyushu.
The world’s largest caldera and the active volcano give a lot of excitements.
And numerous unforgettable experiences in the rural area can be mede including Onsen,
variety of sports and local cuisines.
| Japan’s largest active volcano | Look down the Crater | Around the Crater |
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| Aso shrine | Kurokawa Onsen | Nabegataki Waterfall |
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| Shirakawa suigen | Sensui-kyo | Issingyo big cherry tree |
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Location of Aso
Access to Aso
by a vehicle
from Kumamoto-city : 60 minutes
from Fukuoka-city : 2 hours and 30 minutes
from Kitakyushu-city : 3 hours and 30 minutes
Featured tours related to Aso
Beppu
Beppu is a popular hot spring town nestle at the foot of volcanos, Mt. Yufu and Mt. Tsurumi.
Welcome to Beppu
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Beppu bay & Mount Takasaki |
Beppu bay |
Kannawa Onsen |
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Myoban Onsen |
Kankaiji Onsen |
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The most famous sights are Jigoku Meguri or (Burning Hell) tour.
A collection of hot springs where the water bubbles forth from underground, often
with unusual result.
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Umi jigoku |
Umi jigoku |
Oniishi bozu jigoku |
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Yama jigoku |
Kamado jigoku |
Oniyama jigoku |
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Chinoike jigoku |
Tatsumaki jigoku |
Shiraike jigoku
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About 1700 wild Japanese monkey are living in the park.
The monkeys are fed regularly by park wardens in order to keep them on the mountain and
prevent conflicts with farmers and residents in the neighborhood.
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Location of Beppu
Hitoyoshi
Hitoyoshi is a castle town once prosperous as a river port, and boasts the ruins of the Hitoyoshi castle and Hitoyoshi Onsen.
The Hitoyoshi Onsen is the collective name for 30-add hot springs including Sagara Onsen, all of which are supplied with hot water from sources around Hitoyoshi Station and in the basin of Kuma-gawa River.
The most exiting thing in Hitoyoshi is Kumasawa-kudari that is riding on a boat maneuvered by a master polar down the Kuma-gawa River, one of the three fast streams in Japan.
Hitoyoshi Castle Ruins
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Steam Locomotive Hitoyoshi
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Aoi Aso Shrine
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Kyusendo Limestone Cave
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Japanese style accommodation, Ryokan
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Location of Hitoyoshi
Hyotan Onsen
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Hyotan Onsen is a public bath where you can enjoy various type of bathes and is located in Kannawa district in Beppu. The waters of this Onsen contain sodium chloride which is effective for neuralgia and women’s diseases. |
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There are Outdoor bathes, Hyotan bath, Waterfall bath, Steam bath and Sand bath. You can also enjoy meals at the restaurant; local specialty cuisine Dangojiru, or food steamed with the steam from hot spring. |