Shimabara travel guide

 

Region spreads in the foot of gentle Mount Unzen and facing to Ariale 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.

 

Located in the foot of Mount Unzen and facing Ariake Sea,  and those geographical conditions

and mild climate create natural scenic beauty in the east and Mount Unzen including Mount Fugen. 

The region offers various enjoyable things such as Nature, Onsen, Castle town of Shimabara-city,

and UNESCO World Heritage Hidden Christian Sites in Nagasaki Region .

 

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Exploring Shimabara  

Shimabara Castle

Located in Shimabara-city and was built in 1625 by the feudal load Matsukura Shigemasa, who was

regarded as a master of castle building.

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Samurai Houses

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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Samurai Street

The street lined with stone walls and a spring water canal running down the center

commemorates the old samurai section of Shimabara.

Three Samurai houses have been restored and opened as exhibits.

 

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Harajo Castle ruins

Site of Historic Battle field of Shimabara Rebellion, registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site

as Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region, 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–city

Kyusho Ferry : operated by Kyusho Ferry, 60 minutes ride

Ocean Arrow : operated by Kumamoto Ferry, 30 minutes ride.

Shimabara port

Ocean Arrow

Kumamoto port

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Ferry to Amakusa (Oniike) , from Kuchinotsu (Minami-Shimabara-city)

Shimatetsu Ferry : operated by Shinabara Rail Way, 30 minutes ride.

Kuchinotsu port

Kuchinotsu

To Amakusa

 

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 Location of Shimabara

　　 

 

 

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 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

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Featured tours  

 

Ibusuki travel guide

 

Ibusuki and surrounded araa 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.

 

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Ibusuki Onsen resort

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.

Sand Bath Hall SARAKU

Sand Bath, Kinko bay

Sand Bath

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Ikeda-ko lake​

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. 

Monster called Issy

Flower garden

Mount Kaimon

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Nishi-Oyama Station

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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Ryugu Shrine

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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Nagasaki-bana Cape

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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Meiji-gura

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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Somen noodle nagashi

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

　　

 

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 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

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Featured tours 

Kyushu Round tours

・ 11 days Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Northern & Central Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Southern Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-West Kyushu tour

・ 7 days Central Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-Eest Kyushu tour

 

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Aso travel guide

 

Aso gives unforgettable experiences

The active volcano Mount Aso and world’s largest caldera offer a lot of excitements. And numerous

unforgettable experiences in the rural area can be mede including Onsen, variety of sports and local

cuisines.

 

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Japan’s largest active volcano	Look down the Crater	Around the Crater

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Featured destinations

Aso shrine	Kurokawa Onsen	Nabegataki Waterfall

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Shirakawa fountain	Sensui-kyo	Issingyo big cherry tree

 

Featured restaurant / Takamori Dengaku-no sato 

Enjoy Aso beef and local cuisines. The restaurant uses the old private house with thatched roof

built more than 200 years ago. Bake the meat and local ingredients with charcoal at a Japanese

traditional style fire place.

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Kikuchi Valley

Enjoy short trekking in the Nature. Kikuchi Valley is located in Aso Kuju National Park and underground

water flows out of the subsoil for 4km along the valley floor.  It is also called the Kikuchi water source

and its water was selected as one of the 100 best waters in Japan.

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 Location of Aso 

　　 

 

 

Featured tours  

Kumamoto-prefecture   &   Miyazaki-prefecture 

・ Kumamoto, Aso and Takachiho 3 days tour

・ Aso and Takachiho / Dynamic nature 2 days tour    

・ Takachiho one-day tour

・ Amakusa / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 2 days tour

Kyushu Round tours

・ 11 days Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Northern & Central Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Southern Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-West Kyushu tour

・ 7 days Central Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-Eest Kyushu tour

 

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 Contact us   

Oita-prefcture travel guide

 

Oita-prefecture is on the north-eastern section of Kyushu. 

It is bordered by Miyazaki-prefecture to the south, and Fukuoka-prefecture and Kumamoto-prefecture

to the west. The prefecture is a representative Onsen Resort area in Japan, total boasting hot spring sources

and hot spring flowing volume are both Japan’s largest.

Most recommended Onsen Resorts are Beppu and Yufuin.

 

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 Location of Oita-prefecture

  

 

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Where to Explore

Beppu

Onsen Resort where the largest hot spring yield in Japan. The popular hot spring town nestle at the

foot of volcanos, Mount Yufu and Mount Tsurumi. Boasting more than 2,800 hot spring sources and 

flowing rate of nearly 137,000 kiloliters per day, Beppu is considered a paradise of hot springs famous

for high therapeutic effects.

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Yufuin

A beautiful and tranquil Onsen Resort, Yufuin is located about 15 km west of Beppu and is spreading in

the Yufu basin at the mountain foot of Yufu. Onsen Resort life can be enjoyed at the beautiful and tranquil

place harmonized with nature in the basin of mountain hill area.

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Okubungo

Nature-blessed region at Ono River basin, the northern part is surrounded by Aso & Kuju Mountains.

Okubungo consists of Takada, Kuju, Kusu,Kokonoe, Bungo-ono and Ogata.

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Usa and Ajimu

Located at the base of  Kunisaki peninsula and spreading around Usa Shrine.

Since ancient time the Kunisaki peninsula has been home of Kyushu’s prominent Usa Shrine,

influencing the surrounding hills and valleys with Buddhist culture. Although this is a Shinto shrine,

it has long been holy ground to both Shinto and Buddhist activities, and the Kunisaki Mountains 

and valleys were often chosen by monks as practice ground for meditation.

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Kunisaki peninsula

Rural area centered on mount Futago, pilgrimage, trekking, onsen, local cuisines can be enjoyed. 

Kunisaki peninsula began to develop 1,300 years ago as a sacred relgious ground influenced by  

by mountain and nature worship, Buddhism, and Usa shrine rising in the region.

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Nakatsu & Yabakei

A small city on the north coast of Oita-prefecture, just east of its border with Fukuoka-prefecture.

During the Edo Period of Japanese history, Nakatsu was a mid-sized domain, and the town itself

has recently expanded to include outlying towns and districts and now comprises almost 500 square

kilometers with a population of almost 85,000.

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Featured tours

Oita-prefecture tours

・ Yufuin & Beppu Onsen 2 days tour

・ Usa & Kunisaki one-day tour 

Kyushu Round tours

・ 11 days Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Northern & Central Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Southern Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-West Kyushu tour

・ 7 days Central Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-Eest Kyushu tour

 

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Yufuin travel guide

 

Yufuin is located about 15 km west of Beppu and is spreading in the Yufu basin at the mountain foot

of Yufu. Onsen Resort life can be enjoyed at the beautiful and tranquil place harmonized with nature

in the basin of mountain hill area

 

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Where to explore 

Kinrinko lake

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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Shitan-yu

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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Yunotsubo Avenue

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Kamenoi Besso,  a featured accommodation around Kinrinko lake.

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 Location of Yufuin

  

 

 

Featured tours  

 

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Kurokawa Onsen travel guide

 

The most popular hot spring resort in Aso region

Located on the northern side of  Mount Aso 

Widely known for its open-air baths, it is one of the best places to enjoy the atmosphere of

old town in Japan, where more than 20 Inns （Ryokan）and gift shops standing in a row

along the Tanoharu River, a headstream of the Chikugo River.

Yukata

Bath

Dinner

Wander about Onsen town  

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Onsen Tegata

With an “Onsen Tegata”, a pass made of cedar, travelers can make the rounds of three

different open-air Onsen.

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 Location of Kurokawa Onsen

　 

 

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Featured tours  

Kumamoto-prefecture   &   Miyazaki-prefecture 

・ Kumamoto, Aso and Takachiho 3 days tour

・ Aso and Takachiho / Dynamic Nature 2 days tour    

・ Takachiho one-day tour

・ Amakusa / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 2 days tour

Kyushu Round tours

・ 11 days Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Northern & Central Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Southern Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-West Kyushu tour

・ 7 days Central Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-Eest Kyushu tour

 

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Hitoyoshi travel guide

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.

 

Where to explore

Hitoyoshi Castle Ruins

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Japanese style accommodation, Ryokan

 

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 Location of Hitoyoshi

 　

 

 

 

Featured tours  

Kumamoto-prefecture   &   Miyazaki-prefecture 

・ Kumamoto, Aso and Takachiho 3 days tour

・ Aso and Takachiho / Dynamic nature 2 days tour    

・ Takachiho one-day tour

・ Amakusa / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 2 days tour

Kyushu Round tours

・ 11 days Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Northern & Central Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Southern Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-West Kyushu tour

・ 7 days Central Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-Eest Kyushu tour

 

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Minamata travel guide

 

Minamata is located in Kumamoto Prefecture, It is on the west coast of Kyushu and faces

Amakusa islands. There are two Onsen resorts;

Yunotsuru Onsen located along the Yuide River in the mountains and called Mountain Onsen.

Yunoko Onsen faces Yatsushiro Sea and called Ocean Onsen.

 

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Yunotsuru Onsen	Ryokan	Ryokan

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Yuido River	Corridor of Ryokan	Outdoor bath

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Airinkan, local restaurant	Paddy field at mountain area	Paddy field at mountain area

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Yunoko Onsen	Yunoko Onsen	Yunoko Onsen

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Spanish Village, restaurant	Spanish Village	Spanish Village

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 Location of Minamata

       

 

 

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 General information  

 

Address	City hall : 1-1-1 Jinnai, Minamata-city, Kumamoto-prefecture
Access	60 minutes by a vehicle from Hitoyoshi 1 hour and 40 minutes by a vehicle from Kumamoto-city 2 hours and 30 minutes by a vehicle from Takachiho 2 hours and 20 minutes by a vehicle from Aso 2 hours and 40 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city
Population	24,000   Population density 150

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Featured tours  

Kumamoto-prefecture   &   Miyazaki-prefecture 

・ Kumamoto, Aso and Takachiho 3 days tour

・ Aso and Takachiho / Dynamic nature 2 days tour    

・ Takachiho one-day tour

・ Amakusa / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 2 days tour

Kyushu Round tours

・ 11 days Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Northern & Central Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Southern Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-West Kyushu tour

・ 7 days Central Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-Eest Kyushu tour

 

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 Contact us   

Beppu travel guide

 

Beppu is one of the most famous Onsen Resort in Japan

A destination to be visited when travelling northern Kyushu

The popular hot spring town nestle at the foot of volcanos, Mount Yufu and Mount Tsurumi.

 

Beppu bay & Mount Takasaki

Beppu bay

Kannawa Onsen

Myoban Onsen

Foot bath

Hyotan Onsen

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Umi jigoku

Umi jigoku

Oniishi bozu jigoku

Yama jigoku

Kamado jigoku

Oniyama jigoku

Chinoike jigoku

Tatsumaki jigoku

Shiraike jigoku

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Takasaki mountain animal park

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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Featured tours  

 

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Hyotan Onsen

 

The most popular pubulic bath in Beppu.

 

You can enjoy various type of Onsen.

 

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.

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 Location of Beppu

  

 

 

 General information  

 

Address	159-2 Kannawa, Beppu-city, Oita-prefecture
Access	15 minutes by a vehicle from JR Beppu Station 10 minutes walk from Kannawa Kamenoi Bus stop
Open hours	9:00 to 25:00
Admission fee	JPY 750
Days closed	No closing days

 

 Featured tours  

 

 

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 Contact us