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The route to explore
the Origins of the Shimabara Peninsula
For lovers of geology, Shimabara Peninsula is an open-air museum featuring more than four million years of volcanic history.
On this route, you can explore how natural disasters have shaped the region’s culture and history, particularly on its southern coast.
- 1Hayasaki Seashore
-
10 min.
20-30 min.
- 2Mejima
-
10 min.
20-30 min.
- 3Futagoiwa Rock
-
5 min.
10-15 min.
- 4Kunisaki Peninsula
-
10 min.
20-30 min.
- 5Tanabatake Observatory
-
10 min.
20-30 min.
- 6Hanabusa Observatory
-
15 min.
30-45 min.
- 7Hara Castle Site
-
15 min.
30-45 min.
- 8Tatsuishi Seashore
The route to trace
the Shimabara Catastrophe
The Shimabara Catastrophe of 1792 was the worst volcanic disaster in Japanese history. Its earthquakes and landslides dramatically changed the town of Shimabara and evidence of this event is still clearly visible in the landscape.
- 1Shimabara Castle
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5 min.
10-15 min.
- 2Lake Shirachi
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5 min.
10-15 min.
- 3Hyotan'ike Park
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5 min.
10-15 min.
- 4Nita Park
-
5 min.
10-15 min.
- 5Chichibugaura Park
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5 min.
10-15 min.
- 6Gamadas Dome
(Mt. Unzen Volcano Museum)
The route to enjoy
Onsen and Springs
Although it occasionally poses extreme danger, the volcanic activity of the region provides as many boons as it does risks. The same forces that cause earthquakes and volcanoes have created countless hot springs and freshwater springs. Shimabara contains all kinds of evidence of geologic forces at work.
- 1Chijiwa Observatory
(Chijiwa Tourist Center) -
15 min.
30-45 min.
- 2Obama Hot Spring Stroll
-
30 min.
60-90 min.
- 3Unzen Jigoku Stroll
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15 min.
30-45分 min.
- 4Nita Pass Second Observatory
-
45 min.
80-120 min.
- 5Shimabara Spring Water Stroll
The route to revisit
the Heisei Eruptions
The Heisei Eruptions of 1990–1995 is a sobering reminder of the dangers that come from living so close to the volcanoes on the Shimabara Peninsula. Memorials to this disaster commemorate the loss of life and homes, as well as the many lessons we can learn from the damage it caused.
- 1Gamadas Dome
(Mt. Unzen Volcano Museum) -
10 min.
20-30 min.
- 2Memorial Park of the Houses Destroyed by Debris Flows
-
10 min.
20-30 min.
- 3Former Onokoba Elementary School
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5 min.
10-15 min.
- 4Farthest Reaching Point of Pyroclastic Flow
-
10 min.
20-30 min.
- 5Heisei Shinzan Nature Center
-
5 min.
10-15 min.
- 6Senbongi Observatory
The route to retrace
People's Lives and Struggles
Ever since people began to live on the Shimabara Peninsula, there has been conflict between them. This route, which follows the path of sites across the north of the peninsula, illustrates the connection between history and geography.
- 1Yamada Castle Ruins Park
-
5 min.
10-15 min.
- 2Moriyama Otsuka Tumulus
-
10 min.
20-30 min.
- 3Unzen Historical Museum
Kunimi Exhibition Hall -
5 min.
10-15 min.
- 4Omohama Seashore
-
10 min.
20-30 min.
- 5Onobaru Site Museum
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10 min.
20-30 min.
- 6Site of the Battle of Okitanawate
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5 min.
10-15 min.
- 7Shimabara Castle
