The stage of tragedy, Shimabara Peninsula
On the Shimabara Peninsula, the area around Mt. Unzen has a gentle slope with good drainage formed over a long period of time. In addition, rivers, springs, and hot springs that flow through the city are one of the benefits of volcanic activity. Due to these characteristics, the Shimabara Peninsula has been certified as Japan’s first global geopark.
A castle town with samurai residences and traces of Christianity can be seen in background of the majestic mountains. If you visit the mountains and walk through the towns, you would feel the breath of the earth and the vestiges of history.
Recommend Course
1) Shimaara castle walking
2) Hara castle walking (World heritage)
3) Unzen spa & Jigoku walking
1) Shimabara Castle
Shimabara castle is the one that Matsukura Bungonokami Shigemasa built taking 4 to 7 years to complete from 1618. It was a magnificent castle which had arranged a five-layer castle tower in the core, and had arranged the large and small towers at the key points and which adopted the style of the Azuchi Momoyama period.
For about 250 years, thereafter many stories were born as the-four-family feudal lords who lived in the castle. However, it was regrettably dismantled during the Restoration of the Meiji era. Shimabara Castle which lost all of its buildings including the castle tower, weathered for many years, with only a castle wall left to be seen.
Shimabara citizens waited a long time for the revival of the castle, and eventually their zeal bore fruit, the castle was restored from 1960 to 1972.
Castle view
Looking at Shimabara castle from the-front-gate (Otemon) is wonderful. We can enjoy a white five-tiered castle against the blue sky. From the moat, we can also see a tile-roofing white wall having crenels 15 meters above, three-layered Tatsumi Turret and West Turret further above. The five-tiered castle tower of all white coat soars to height of 35 meters.
The stone wall stands almost in the perpendicular, drawing a loose curve, and is not daunted at all though 390 years have passed since its construction.
Thirteen convex points are seen. These points not only help to lose the dead angles on defense, but also to add the look of dignity to the castle, creating the more magnificent sight.
The moat itself is also beautiful. The iris flowers in spring and the lotus in summer are especially splendid. The moat reflects the clear sky and the castle tower between the dead leaves and looks so charming. As is expected, it is a product by Matsukura Bungo no kami Shigemasa, an authority of martial arts, an expert of the construction of the castle.
| Schedule | within 4 hours, everyday (open 9:00-17:30)
– Meet with guide at Shimabara station |
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| Number of guests
Price |
1 43,000 |
2 23,000 |
3 16,000 |
4-5 12,000 |
6-10 12,000 |
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| Cancellation policy | See below “Cancellation Policy” | ||||
2) Hara Castle Ruins – World cultural heritage
Hara Castle Ruins is the site of the Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion that took place about 400 years ago.
From here, Japan established national isolation.
There is no remnant of the castle now, but it was completely destroyed by the shogunate forces who feared Christianity.
Today, it is one of the constituent assets of the Hidden Christian Sites in Nagasaki and the Amakusa Region, and is visited by many tourists.
The site of the decisive battle of the Shimabara-Amakusa Ikki, the ruins of Hara Castle, now has a peaceful rural landscape with the exception of the Honmaru (=inner citadel). However, the Honmaru was destroyed by excavation, and many human bones were unearthed under it. Along with the human bones, crosses, medallions, and other Christian relics have also been unearthed, and the aspect of this battle has become more vividly described as a Christian uprising.
The Hara Castle Ruins were registered as a World Heritage Site in 2018, and it is one of the constituent assets of the Hidden Christian Sites in Nagasaki and the Amakusa Region, and is visited by many tourists.
You can see Amakusa on the other side of the sea, and it is also recommended as a sightseeing spot where the sunrise and sunset are beautiful.
| Schedule | 4 hours, everyday caution: the number of bus is very few – Meet with guide at Shimabara station, take a bus to Hara castle ruins (60min) |
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| Number of guests
Price |
1 47,000 |
2 25,000 |
3 18,000 |
4-5 15,000 |
6-10 15,000 |
| Combination price 1(Shimabara castle)+2(Hara castle) 8hours |
69,000 |
37,000 |
26,000 |
21,000 |
22,000 |
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| Price exclude |
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| Cancellation policy | See below “Cancellation Policy” | ||||
3) Unzen hot spring & Jigoku walking
Unzen Jigoku, an attraction characteristic of Unzen. High-temperature hot springs and gasses erupt violently from everywhere, and with the strong smell of sulfur, the steamy scenery evokes a vision of hell. There are around 30 geothermal fields, such as “Oito Jigoku”, and “Daikyoukan Jigoku”.
Tragic history
The order of the Tokugawa shogunate tightened the oppression of Christians, and between 1612 and 1658, tens of thousands of Christians were martyred on the Shimabara Peninsula.
Christian in Shimabara and Nagasaki were taken to Unzen and threatened with apostasy, and it was called “hell torture”.
Currently, Unzen is famous as a hot spring resort in a peaceful world, but it has a sad history in the past.
Spring quality and efficacy
The spring quality of Unzen’s hot springs is acidic sulfur springs, with strong acidity. The hot springs can become as hot as 98℃, and the main components are iron ion, aluminum ion, and sulfate ion, and is effective against rheumatism, diabetes, and dermatosis. Furthermore, the gasses that erupt along with violent sounds can go up to temperatures of 120℃. Mostly composed of steam, it is also composed of carbonated gas and hydrogen sulfide gas, and gives off a strong sulfuric smell.
| Schedule | 9 hours, everyday
9:00 Meet with guide at Nagasaki station, go to Unzen by bus |
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| Number of guests
Price |
1 70,000 |
2 38,000 |
3 27,000 |
4-5 22,000 |
6-10 27,000 |
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| Price exclude |
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| Cancellation policy | See below “Cancellation Policy” | ||||
/// FIT package
We can arrange this tour for individual, family, or the small group, following to your designated date, through the year.
/// Additional arrangement
Regarding these standard courses, we can arrange the plan upon your request by adding / deleting destinations, and combining other courses before and after, making reservations of accommodation, transportation, restaurants, or event tickets, etc. Please contact us by all means.
Please see here for the arrangement fee.
ex.1 Arrangement for accommodation
Room charge 10,000yen(1night 1person) + Commission 1,650yen(incl. c-tax)=Total 11,650yen
ex.2 Arrangement for additional transportation
Super express train 20,000yen(1person) + Commission 3,300yen(incl. c-tax)=Total 23,300yen
/// Suggestion of Additional Trip in Nagasaki
/// Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy for above course;
| Days to Departure | Cancellation Charge |
| More than 15 days | 5% of trip price |
| 14-8 days | 50% of trip price |
| 7-2 days | 80% of trip price |
| 1 day or Less, No Show | 100% of trip price |
Please refer to “Price, Terms and Conditions” for other detailed regulations.
/// Application Form
Please select the course and fill in the below box;
/// Payment
Payment can be settled by credit card (Paypal or Stripe).
After your booking, we will send you an invoice, then after your payment by credit card, the booking would be completed.
/// Contact
If you have any questions or offer to book, please send an email. We welcome even little questions! Don’t hesitate, and see you in Japan!!
Contact us: info@i-travel-square.tokyo