Shimabara Onsen

Located about a 10-minute walk from Shimabara Station, Shimabara Castle is a symbolic presence in Shimabara. Built in the early Edo period in the 1620s, the castle features a five-story tower and three three-story turrets, showcasing the grandeur and solemn atmosphere of Matsukura Bungo-no-kami Shigemasa, the lord of the castle who was also the main cause of the Shimabara Rebellion, and the essence of Azuchi-Momoyama style architecture. Although the castle was abandoned during the Meiji Restoration, it was reconstructed in 1964 (Showa 39). The view of Shimabara Castle seen through the moats, where you can enjoy seasonal scenery such as irises in spring and lotuses in summer, is a stunning sight worth seeing. Currently, the inside of the castle serves as a museum, and the "Christian Historical Materials Museum" in particular exhibits valuable materials that tell the history of Christianity in Shimabara, from Nanban trade to evangelism, prohibition, oppression, and the Shimabara Rebellion.

Part of the residential area for samurai built during the construction of Shimabara Castle has been preserved as the "Samurai Residence Street Preservation District," offering a view of the scenery as it was at that time. The samurai residences currently open to the public cover 406.8 meters and have become a tourist attraction along with the landscape of the waterway that was drawn from the springs of Shimabara. It's recommended to stop by the three free-to-enter samurai residences: Yamamoto Residence, Shinotsuka Residence, and Torita Residence. You can catch a glimpse of the life of Edo samurai.

Shimabara, known as the "City of Water," boasts a daily spring water output of approximately 220,000 tons. Underground water from the Unzen mountain range gushes out all over the city, and has been selected as one of Japan's top 100 famous waters under the name "Shimabara Spring Water Group." There are many spots around Shimabara Station where you can feel close to the spring water. For example, just a three-minute walk from the station, at the hardware store "Inohara Hardware Store," crabs, fireflies, and other creatures can be found living in a well made by the owner. The spring water, which gushes out at a rate of about 150 liters per minute, can be taken home in a plastic bottle. In addition, there are unique spots such as "Shimmeiso," where colorful carp swim gracefully in a spring water garden, and "Shimabara Spring Water Hall," which serves as both a free rest area where you can relax while listening to the babbling of spring water and a café. Why not take a 90-minute spring water tour while strolling through the hot spring town?

As a location facing the sea, Shimabara is abundant in fresh seafood, but it also has many unique gourmet dishes. For seafood, try the "Ariakegane" (Japanese blue crab). It's in season from summer to autumn in the Tawara Port area in the northern part of the Shimabara Peninsula, but you can enjoy it all year round. Fugu (pufferfish), known as "Ganba" in Shimabara, is also a local specialty. Local dishes such as "Yubiki," which is boiled in a distinctive sauce after being lightly fried, and "Ganedaki," which is stir-fried and then simmered, are a must-try, especially during the spawning season from March to May. You can also encounter various Shimabara gourmet dishes, such as "Kanzarashi," a sweet rice cake topped with special honey, and "Gozoni," a hearty soup with plenty of vegetables and fish cooked in a large pot.

The Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall, also known as the "Gamanasu Dome," is located about 10 minutes by car from Shimabara Station. "Gamanasu" means "to persevere" in the Shimabara dialect, and this experiential facility allows visitors to learn about what happened in this area during the volcanic eruption of Mt. Unzen Fugen between 1990 (Heisei 2) and 1996 (Heisei 8), when the eruption was declared over. In the permanent exhibition, visitors can experience volcanic disaster through projection mapping and other technologies. In the "Wonder Lab" area, workshops on volcanoes and disaster prevention are also held. There is also a space for young children, making it a recommended spot for families with children.

The "Shimabara Mayuyama Road" is a prefectural road that spans approximately 8 kilometers from the Shimabara Onsen area facing the sea to the highlands inland. This route allows you to have a close view of Mt. Heisei Shinzan, which is said to be Japan's newest mountain, formed by the eruption of Mt. Unzen Fugendake's lava dome. Along the way, you can experience volcanic tourism by observing the dynamic movements of the earth, such as pyroclastic flows and debris flows, from the "Mt. Heisei Shinzan Observation Deck." If the weather is good, you can take a photo of Mt. Heisei Shinzan and the Ariake Sea together.

Of course, the famous Shimabara Onsen boasts a great quality of spring water. There are many unique hot spring facilities available for day trips or overnight stays, making it a great place to enjoy a hot spring tour. The colorless and transparent, neutral water is gentle on the skin and easy to bathe in. Among them, "Yutorogi no Yu," located about a 10-minute walk from Shimabara Station and directly connected to the shopping arcade, is a facility where you can enjoy various types of hot springs, including a large bath, medicinal bath, and サウナ, all sourced from natural hot springs. It's a perfect spot to heal your tired body after a walk around town. In addition, there are free drinking fountains and foot baths scattered throughout the city where you can drink Shimabara Onsen water, which is said to have health benefits. You can indulge in a relaxing hot spring experience to your heart's content.