When visiting the Shimabara Peninsula for sightseeing, it is easier to understand if you divide it into four major areas.
- Shimabara City
- Unzen
- Obama
- Minamishimabara City
In this article, we will briefly summarize the characteristics and access of each area.
①Shimabara city area
Shimabara City is a town located in the eastern part of the Shimabara Peninsula.
The main attractions of Shimabara City are as follows.
- Shimabara Castle and samurai residences
- Mt. Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall (Madasu Dome)
- A group of springs that is said to be the “city of water”
access
■From Fukuoka
Bus: Fukuoka (Tenjin/Hakata) → Shimabara (Shimabara Port/Shimabara Station)
Railway: Hakata → (JR Relay Kamome) → Takeo Onsen Station → (Nishikyushu Shinkansen Kamome) → Isahaya Station → (Shimabara Railway) → Shimabara Station
■From Nagasaki City
Railway: Nagasaki Station → (Limited Express Train: Approximately 20 minutes, Local Train: Approximately 35 minutes) → Isahaya Station → (Shimabara Railway) → Shimabara Station
②Unzen area (hot spring town)
Unzen is located in the center of the Shimabara Peninsula at an altitude of 700m, making it a famous hot spring resort as a summer resort.
The main attractions of Unzen are as follows.
- You can feel the steam and the smell of the hot springs.
- Climbing the sacred mountain “Unzendake”
- rich nature
access
■From Fukuoka
Bus: Fukuoka (Tenjin/Hakata) → Shimabara (Shimabara Port/Shimabara Station) → Unzen Onsen Town
Train/bus transfer: Hakata → (JR Relay Kamome) → Takeo Onsen Station → (Nishikyushu Shinkansen Kamome) → Isahaya Station → (Shimabara Railway Bus) → Unzen Onsen Town <3 and a half to 4 hours>
■From Nagasaki City
Bus: Nagasaki Station → (Limited Express bound for Unzen) → Unzen Onsen Town
③Obama area
The Obama area is a hot spring area located in the western part of the Shimabara Peninsula.
The main attractions include:
- A hot spring resort where you can see the beauty of the sunset over Tachibana Bay up close.
- Karisuian, a gallery cafe where time flows slowly
- Japan’s longest footbath with a total length of 105m “Hottofutto 105”
access
■From Fukuoka
Train/bus transfer: Hakata → (JR Relay Kamome) → Takeo Onsen Station → (Nishikyushu Shinkansen Kamome) → Isahaya Station → (Shimabara Railway Bus) → Obama
■From Nagasaki City
Train/bus transfer: Nagasaki station → (limited express train: approx. 20 minutes, local train: approx. 35 minutes) → Isahaya station → (Shimabara Railway bus) → Obama
④Minamishimabara city area
The Minamishimabara area is located in the southern part of the Shimabara Peninsula and is characterized by its rich nature. Although the transportation is not convenient compared to the other three areas, it is a very pleasant place to ride a bicycle.
The main attractions of Minamishimabara are as follows.
- A sense of freedom unique to a seaside town
- Hara Castle Ruins, the site of the Shimabara Rebellion in 1637
- Pleasure boat where you can enjoy dolphin watching
access
■From Fukuoka
Train/bus transfer: Hakata → (JR Relay Kamome) → Takeo Onsen Station → (Nishikyushu Shinkansen Kamome) → Isahaya Station → (Shimabara Railway Bus) → Kuchinotsu Ferry Terminal
■From Nagasaki City
Train/bus transfer: Nagasaki station → (limited express train: approx. 20 minutes, local train: approx. 35 minutes) → Isahaya station → (Shimabara Railway bus) → Kuchinotsu Ferry Terminal
