Omisaki Station is one of Japan's closest train stations to the sea the station offers a stunning view of the expansive Ariake Sea stretching below As the rumble of the departing train fades There is a refreshing tranquility at this unmanned station unlike anywhere else Its unique connection to the sea continues to captivate all who visit The station has platforms for both upbound and downbound trains the downbound platform offers a particularly striking view of the Ariake Sea known for having Japan's largest tidal range The Shimabara Railway was established in 1908 This private railway spans 43.2 kilometers connecting Isahaya City and Shimabara City in Nagasaki Prefecture Despite challenges such as declining ridership it remains an essential part of the local transportation network visitors can even catch a glimpse of the mountain ranges in Kumamoto Prefecture across the bay Once primarily known to railway enthusiasts the station gained widespread recognition in 2021 when it served as the filming location for a major beverage company's commercial it has become a popular weekend destination for families and tourists a unique local revitalization effort was introduced Visitors could write wishes on the handkerchiefs and display them on the platform Shinichi Segawa, head of sales at the Shimabara Railway, expressed hope that the station's growing popularity would benefit the local community He envisioned increased tourism contributing to more stays at local inns and boosting souvenir sales Author: Kan Emori You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information Nagasaki Prefecture—This seaside city has grown in popularity as an on-location site for TV shows and commercials thanks largely to an unmanned train station is located on a train line that runs along the coast of the Shimabara Peninsula facing the Sea of Ariake The station became famous nationwide when it was used in a commercial for the Kirin Lemon soda brand that aired in 2021 actress-singer Moka Kamishiraishi sings against the backdrop of a yellow train parked at a tiny platform on one side and a beautiful blue ocean on the other City officials and Shimabara Station workers have received many inquiries about Omisaki Station since then And they have made considerable efforts to bring other film crews to this city of 42,000 locals have long known another side of the station It is considered “the station closest to the sea in Japan.” Shimabara Railway devised ways to make the station a pilgrimage site for train fans including painting footprints on the spot where Kamishiraishi stood during filming and installing a Kirin Lemon vending machine Omisaki Station is too small for a parking space So sightseers usually take a train or a taxi from nearby Shimabara Station to visit Omisaki Station a 67-year-old self-employed man from the Kansai region aimed his telephoto lens at the station He said he wanted to visit the station after watching the commercial and TV shows about railroads the railway buff took multiple trains to arrive at the station while enjoying the scenery along the way and it’s a ‘holy place’ for die-hard fans,” he said an official of the city’s promotion division in charge of public relations and local revitalization the number of people interested in Shimabara is growing Sato also heads the city’s location-induced tourism section The city government started making efforts to bring TV crews to Shimabara in 2018 The tourism division was initially in charge of the program But the nine-member city promotion division was founded in 2021 and two officials worked exclusively for the location-induced tourism section The team also joined the Location Tourism Council a general incorporated association affiliated with municipalities and other entities that aim to attract location shooting projects The officials attend business matching events to promote Shimabara to film production crews They sometimes visit broadcasters to market the city “I learned that even though (Shimabara’s) landscapes look nothing special for us The city’s publicity materials contain information not only on Shimabara Castle Omisaki Station and other popular sightseeing spots but also on elementary and junior high schools available for filming rural roads where traffic can be regulated and fire stations for volunteer firefighters The number of on-location shoots in the city rose from 20 in fiscal 2021 to 32 in fiscal 2022 and to 41 in fiscal 2023 Shimabara served as the locale for 16 information programs Based on production costs and the time allotted to Shimabara-related topics the section estimates the advertising effect of hosting on-location shoots was about 1.2 billion yen ($7.7 million) in fiscal 2023 the section published 30,000 pamphlets in September this year to introduce on-location sites featured in TV programs and commercials The pamphlet is distributed at Nihonbashi Nagasakikan a specialty shop operated by the Nagasaki prefectural government in Tokyo A growing number of people are also moving into Shimabara Forty-seven people relocated there in fiscal 2020 before the city promotion division was set up The number rose to 78 in fiscal 2022 and to a record high of 86 in fiscal 2023 The city also raised 816.38 million yen from 50,270 donors in fiscal 2020 under the “furusato nozei” hometown tax payment system which allows people to pay a portion of their taxes to the municipality of their choice The amount increased to 997 million yen from 59,307 donors in fiscal 2023 Although the city hosts many shoots for TV programs and ads their advertising effects are not necessarily long-lived we want to attract productions of movies and TV dramas that can make the city their holy spot for a long time to come,” he said VOX POPULI: Rooting for a railway that makes light of being in the red Silhouette of Shimabara Castle looms over Sea of Ariake train fans mark start of Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Line ‘Green frog’ train exhibited in Akita before 3rd life as tourist attraction Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp My friend and I spent a near-perfect day in Shimabara City that included many of our favourite Japan-destination activities:  history We started the day at Kumamoto Port in Kumamoto Prefecture where we boarded the Kyusho Ferry for the one-hour crossing of the Ariake Sea  Flocks of seagulls flew alongside the ferry and in turn many passengers flocked to the snack bar to purchase kamome pan to feed the birds by hand or throw pieces out to birds on the wing a group of active volcanoes towering over the Shimabara peninsula This was a very friendly inn with large tatami rooms for getting into that totally relaxed mood We hopped on a local bus to the area around Shimabara Castle  The story of this soup dish dates back to the Shimabara Rebellion in 1637 when the castle was under siege  The rebels combined mochi (glutinous rice cakes) with ingredients that were readily available from the sea and the mountains  Fast forward to 1813 when a local chef recreated the soup with thirteen ingredients that included the city’s renowned spring water  He added “Gu” (‘solid ingredients’) to the name  The current owners of Himematsuya are descended from that 1813 chef More insight into the life of the Samurai can be appreciated in Teppo-Cho (Gun Town)  A canal runs down the middle of the narrow street carrying fresh spring water (the nickname of Shimabara is “the City of Water”)  And with the smell of persimmon and orange trees in the air visitors are able to explore three Samurai residences kitchen and the carved wooden ‘ranma’ or transoms While we arrived at the Yamasaki Sake Brewery too late for a visit clear beverage with our dinner at Izakaya Sakura  The incredibly delicious meal included shirako ponzu: warm cod milt in ponzu sauce with pepper and fugu yubiki (boiled pufferfish with garlic and onion) And just when we were ready to head back to the hotel one of the patrons invited us to Yatai Marufuku Oden is the specialty: a delicious stew of boiled eggs konjac and fish cakes in a soy/dashi broth This was accompanied by Yakitori: skewers of pork It turned into a memorable evening of conversation and laughter with the owner as we had a busy travel schedule ahead of us will be the magnet that brings us back to explore more of the city and the peninsula https://www.discover-nagasaki.com/en Steve Gillick has been involved in the Canadian travel industry for over 40 years in various roles President of the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors He has explored 85 countries and territories with 20 journeys to Japan and 60 published articles about the country a consultancy specializing in skill development www.talkingtravel.ca The opinions expressed in the above article do not reflect the views of JNTO All content and images are property of the writer unless otherwise specified Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages Metrics details Detailed three-dimensional images of P and S wave velocity and Poisson’s ratio (σ) of the crust and upper mantle beneath Kyushu in SW Japan are determined with a focus on the source area of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake (M 7.3) that occurred in the Beppu-Shimabara graben (BSG) where four active volcanoes and many active faults exist The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake took place in a high-velocity and low-σ zone in the upper crust which is surrounded and underlain by low-velocity and high-σ anomalies in the upper mantle in and around the source zone of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake strong structural heterogeneities relating to active volcanoes and magmatic fluids exist low-velocity and high-σ anomalies do not exist everywhere in the upper mantle but mainly beneath the active volcanoes suggesting that hot mantle upwelling is not the only cause of the graben The BSG was most likely formed by joint effects of northward extension of the Okinawa Trough westward extension of the Median Tectonic Line and hot upwelling flow in the mantle wedge beneath the active volcanoes the detailed structure and origin of the BSG are still not very clear These studies have generally shown that the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake occurred in a high-velocity (high-V) and low-attenuation (high-Q) zone in the upper crust whereas low-velocity (low-V) and high-attenuation (low-Q) anomalies exist in the lower crust and upper (or uppermost) mantle beneath the source area we utilized a large number of arrival-time data of local shallow and intermediate-depth earthquakes including many Kumamoto aftershocks to determine detailed 3-D Vp Vs and Poisson’s ratio (σ) images of the crust and upper mantle down to 100 km depth beneath the entire Kyushu Island with a focus on the 2016 Kumamoto source area and the BSG Our results provide new insight into the structural heterogeneity in the crust and upper mantle beneath the BSG and its influence on the generation of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake sequence the effects of magmatic fluids and earthquake-volcano interactions in Kyushu This study also sheds new light on the formation mechanism of the BSG because the BSG is located in the volcanic arc and back-arc areas where active volcanoes and magmatic fluids exist and the temperature is generally higher the Eurasian plate becomes much thinner and mechanically much weaker in the BSG than that in Shikoku and central Japan it is easier for the MTL to extend to northern Kyushu being driven by the oblique subduction of the PHS plate Taking into account all the previous results and the present findings we deem that the BSG is produced by the joint effect of three factors: (1) northward extension of the opening Okinawa Trough; (2) westward extension of the MTL; and (3) hot and wet upwelling flow in the mantle wedge beneath the active volcanoes (Tsurumi High-resolution tomographic images of P and S wave velocity and Poisson’s ratio of the crust and upper mantle under Kyushu are determined using a large number of high-quality arrival-time data of local earthquakes Our results provide new insight into the seismotectonics in Kyushu and the formation of the BSG New findings of this study are summarized as follows The 2016 Kumamoto mainshock occurred in a high-V and low-σ zone in the upper crust underlain by low-V and high-σ anomalies in the upper mantle indicating that in and around the Kumamoto source zone which may have affected the seismogenesis in the BSG low-V and high-σ anomalies do not exist everywhere in the upper mantle but mainly beneath the active volcanoes suggesting that hot mantle upwelling is not the main cause of this rift zone The formation of the BSG was caused by joint effects of the northward extension of the opening Okinawa Trough and hot and wet upwelling in the mantle wedge beneath active volcanoes Our optimal 3-D Vp and Vs models (Supplementary Figs S1 and S2) have a lateral grid interval of 0.2° and a vertical grid interval of 9–20 km The P-wave root-mean-square (RMS) travel-time residuals before and after the inversion are 0.252 s and 0.196 s and the corresponding S-wave RMS residuals are 0.334 s and 0.294 s The variance reductions of the P and S wave data are 54% and 44% The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request Contemporaneous ascent of within-plate type and island-arc type magmas in the Beppu–Shimabara graben system Seismic structure and magmatism of the young Kyushu subduction zone Seismotectonics beneath the Tokyo metropolitan area Japan: Effect of slab-slab contact and overlap on seismicity Imaging the subducting slabs and mantle upwelling under the Japan Islands Tottori earthquakes and Daisen volcano: Effects of fluids Age of the subducting Philippine Sea slab and mechanism of low-frequency earthquakes Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA): http://www.jma.go.jp Prestate of stress and fault behavior during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake (M 7.3) Kato, A., Nakamura, K. & Hiyama, Y. The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake sequence. Proc. Japan Acad. Ser. B. https://doi.org/10.2183/pjab.92.359 (2016) Materials for Comprehensive List of Destructive Earthquakes in Japan Seismic structure of the crust and uppermost mantle in the incipient stage of back arc rifting—northernmost Okinawa Trough Itoh, Y., Kusumoto, S. & Takemura, K. Evolutionary process of Beppu Bay in central Kyushu, Japan: a quantitative study of the basin-forming process controlled by plate convergence modes. Earth Planets Space 66, 74, https://doi.org/10.1186/1880-5981-66-74 (2014) Toda, S. et al. Slip-partitioned surface ruptures for the Mw 7.0 16 April 2016 Kumamoto, Japan earthquake. Earth Planets Space 68, 188, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-016-0560-8 (2016) Mochizuki, K. & Mitsui, Y. Crustal deformation model of the Beppu−Shimabara graben area, central Kyushu, Japan, based on inversion of three-component GNSS data in 2000–2010. Earth Planets Space 68, 177, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-016-0550-x (2016) Ozawa, T., Fujita, E. & Ueda, H. Crustal deformation associated with the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake and its effect on the magma system of Aso volcano. Earth Planets Space 68, 186, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-016-0563-5 (2016) Rupture process of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake in relation to the thermal structure around Aso volcano The 2016 Kumamoto Mw = 7.0 earthquake: A significant event in a fault–volcano system Seismic attenuation tomography of the source zone of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake (M 7.3) Komatsu, M., Takenaka, H. & Oda, H. Three-dimensional P- and S-wave attenuation structures around the source region of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. Earth, Planets Space 69, 101, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-017-0683-6 (2017) Seismic velocity structure in the source region of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake sequence Crustal tomography of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake area in West Japan using P and PmP data Recent progress of seismic observation networks in Japan – Hi-net Anisotropic tomography of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake area and the lowermost mantle Tomographic evidence for the subducting oceanic crust and forearc mantle serpentinization under Kyushu Along-arc variation in water distribution in the uppermost mantle beneath Kyushu as derived from receiver function analyses Tomographic imaging of P and S wave velocity structure beneath northeastern Japan Melting and seismic structure beneath the northeast Japan arc Japan: New insight into arc magmatism and forearc seismotectonics Subduction influence of Philippine Sea plate on the mantle beneath northern Kyushu SW Japan: An examination of boron contents in basaltic rocks Deep structure of island arc magmatic regions as inferred from seismic observations and semi-volcanic deep low-frequency earthquakes in western Japan 3-D electrical resistivity structure based on geomagnetic transfer functions exploring the features of arc magmatism beneath Kyushu and flow-thermal structure in subduction zone Seismic velocity structure around the Hyuganada region derived from seismic tomography using land and OBS data and its implications for interplate coupling and vertical crustal uplift Seismic attenuation tomography of the Southwest Japan arc: New insight into subduction dynamics Seismological evidence for the existence of serpentinized wedge mantle Stable isotope compositions of serpentinite seamounts in the Mariana forearc: Serpentinization processes Tomographic imaging of the Cascadia subduction zone: Constraints on the Juan de Fuca slab Seismic attenuation tomography of the Mariana subduction system: Implications for thermal structure Imaging fluid-related subduction processes beneath central Java (Indonesia) using seismic attenuation tomography Strong along-arc variations in attenuation in the mantle wedge beneath Costa Rica and Nicaragua Attenuation of seismic waves in dry and saturated rocks: I Tomography of the source area of the 1995 Kobe earthquake: Evidence for fluids at the hypocenter Tomography of the 2011 Iwaki earthquake (M 7.0) and Fukushima nuclear power plant area Tomography of the source zone of the 2016 South Taiwan earthquake Quantitative measure of the variation in fault rheology due to fluid-rock interactions Evolution of strength recovery and permeability during fluid–rock reaction in experimental fault zones Stress rotations due to the M6.5 foreshock and M7.3 mainshock in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake sequence: Stress field after the M 7.3 earthquake Seismicity controlled by resistivity structure: The 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes Rupture propagation with finite stress in antiplane strain Three-dimensional simulation of spontaneous rupture: the effect of nonuniform prestress Universal nucleation length for slip weakening rupture instability under nonuniform fault loading On the initiation of sustained slip-weakening ruptures by localized stresses A water wall in the Tohoku forearc causing large crustal earthquakes Volcanic history and tectonics of the Southwest Japan arc Reinitiation of subduction and magmatic responses in SW Japan during Neogene time Tectonic evolution of the Japanese island arc system Kusumoto, S. Dip distribution of Oita–Kumamoto Tectonic Line located in central Kyushu, Japan, estimated by eigenvectors of gravity gradient tensor. Earth Planets Space 68, 153, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-016-0529-7 (2016) Birth of a major strike-slip fault in SW Japan Active right-lateral strike-slip fault zone along the southern margin of the Japan Sea Comparison of the Baikal and Kenya rift zones Depth of the Moho discontinuity beneath the Japanese islands estimated by traveltime analysis LSQR: An Algorithm for Sparse Linear Equations and Sparse Least Squares improved version of Generic Mapping tools released Download references We used local-earthquake arrival-time data selected from the JMA unified earthquake catalogue and the seismological database of Tohoku University This study was partially supported by a research grant from the Japanese Ministry of Education We appreciate helpful discussions with Drs conceived and executed this research project and wrote the manuscript contributed to the data collection and analysis plotting figures and interpretation of the results The authors declare no competing interests Publisher’s note: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-33805-0 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science The city of Shimabara in Nagasaki Prefecture commemorated Thursday the 43 victims of a 1991 deadly pyroclastic flow caused by explosive eruptions of Mt Hodo Nakamura and Shimabara Mayor Ryuzaburo Furukawa attended an official memorial service at the city's Nita Danchi Daiichi Park and offered silent prayers "We will continue our efforts to convey the threat of volcanic disasters to future generations so that disaster memories will not fade," said Sumi Omachi who represented the bereaved families at the service then a 37-year-old volunteer fire corps member "We will learn from the history of natural disasters and pass on the lessons to posterity," said Furukawa Nakamura said he still feels the pain of the families who lost their loved ones and extended his condolences to them the ceremony was scaled down from the previous major memorial held five years ago with the number of participants slashed by two thirds volunteer fire corps members set up a flower stand at a local sports complex that was built after the disaster as a symbol of recovery for the first time in around 200 years and caused a massive pyroclastic flow -- a fast-moving current of superheated gas the victims included 16 media personnel and four taxi drivers accompanying them American volcanologist Harry Glicken and French volcano experts Maurice Krafft and his wife Katia were also killed Until the end of the disaster was declared on June 3 a total of 9,432 pyroclastic flows were observed claimed the life of a local resident who became the final victim of the series of eruptions With the volcanic activities also triggering mudslides more than 11,000 people were evacuated from the area at one point and about 2,500 houses were damaged in total About 950 hectares of land in Shimabara and two other cities are still designated as areas requiring caution today a new stone monument was erected at a spot where media photographers took pictures of the volcano The 16 media personnel and four taxi drivers died near the spot The calamity raised questions about how the media should cover natural disasters with rival media organizations competing for the most compelling coverage and journalists ignoring an evacuation advisory when the pyroclastic flow hit The media personnel drew criticism for indirectly causing the deaths of police and fire corps members who came to the area to patrol due to reports of them entering houses evacuated by local residents to use electricity To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible National Report Nagasaki Prefecture—International students were invited to join a lantern boat festival here helping to preserve the local tradition and learning from the unique cultural experience which honors the spirits of ancestors on the Obon holiday of Aug featured a procession of boats adorned with gorgeous lanterns “The lantern festival is the biggest event for our community,” said Daisuke Kusunoki Nine Nepali and Sri Lankan students from the Shimabara International Japanese Language Institute worked together to carry one of the 41 decorated boats After being paraded around the neighborhood the boats were carried to a beach on the Takeshima Coast as firecrackers exploded and the carriers chanted Buddhist prayers the boats were pulled around in a spectacular performance before being released to the sea There is a similar festival in Nepal to pay tribute to the dead according to one of the students from that country “In landlocked Nepal we release the boats on rivers,” said the 26-year-old student “It’s beautiful to see them floating on the sea As Japan grapples with a declining birthrate and aging population many traditional events like this are threatened by a shortage of participants “While the international students help address our staff shortage it also offers them a great opportunity to learn about Japanese culture,” Kusunoki said Lantern festival in Nagasaki returning fully after 4 years Festival lantern output in Kyoto back to levels before pandemic Iconic Hong Kong dragon boat races are back in full force Kyoto temple celebrates China roots with Chinese lanterns Lisa’s Wanderings Around Japan/ Nebuta Museum: Feeling frisky Kyoto’s Gion Festival kicks off with lively night celebrations Shimabara Peninsula as we know it today is the product of developments following the 1991 eruption of volcano Mount Unzen While the event is perhaps the most well-known fact about the region locally and internationally the reality is much brighter than you might first think The eruption prompted a wave of revitalization and development initiatives that led to the growth of a rich local culture that lives in synchronicity with the surrounding nature One defining characteristic of the region is Mount Unzen’s last eruption shocked the nation though this did not stop the people of the Shimabara Peninsula from re-establishing their lives at the foot of the fire-breathing giant The Unzen volcanic area was declared a UNESCO global geopark where visitors can get up close and personal with the natural geology If you’re imagining a landscape painted in hues of gray colorful flora and several spots famous for their koyo (fall foliage) The Shimabara Peninsula is blessed with a seemingly endless source of mineral-rich water played a big role in the development of local culture and customs There are a handful of well-known hot spring towns which are a must-visit for those who love to onsen hop Shimabara City is aptly nicknamed “the city of water” and showcases the region’s abundant spring water which is also credited to the high volcanic activity and nearby mountain ranges the city hosts the Shimabara Water Festival which celebrates the water that has run through the city since the times of the samurai Plenty of spring water is bound to inspire some signature dishes that are nothing short of refreshing there are a handful of local delicacies travelers must try Shimabara Peninsula’s most notable contribution is hand-pulled somen noodles This local specialty — and one that’s been a staple for over three centuries — is best known for its simple ingredients list which includes regionally sourced spring water as well as for its chewy texture achieved through a lengthy aging process Those who prefer to go straight for dessert should head out in search of kanzarashi, a Japanese dessert featuring sticky rice balls usually made with Shimabara spring water and bathing in a sweet syrup. For a workshop and a snack, you can try making your own at the Shimabara Yusui Museum If you’re seeking hearty soul food instead The culture of Shimabara Peninsula cannot be tied to one single event where you can learn more about what used to be the Hizen Province (present-day Nagasaki Prefecture) the region played a crucial role in the history of Japan — especially in relation to the country’s contact with the West After the Shimabara Rebellion in the 1630s Portuguese traders were driven out of Japan The shogunate suspected European Catholics had been involved in the uprising and wanted to limit their influence on the locals take a detour via Koi-No-Oyogu-Machi (often written as “Street with Swimming Carp” in English) where you can see colorful koi fish swimming down the narrow channels along the edges of the street naturally filled with Shimabara spring water try to picture the samurai that strolled these streets only a few centuries prior An additional must-see stop for history buffs is the Hara Castle ruins is located on the east side of the peninsula Hara Castle also impacted the relationship between Japan and the West shortly after the Shimabara Rebellion For a tangible piece of history to take home consider a scarf or blouse colored with local Shimabara natural dye The art of dyeing using natural pigments has been a part of the daily life of locals since most current residents can probably remember One noteworthy location to check out is Atelier Aikane in Unzen City which functions both as a shop for all things natural and Shimabara dyes and as a workshop venue which Atelier Aikane grows on its grounds alongside other plants also has some documented medicinal properties salt and even seasoning to incorporate indigo’s health benefits into your home cooking For more information on what to do when in Nagasaki Prefecture, check out our other guides Eighty-eight-year-old Japanese sculptor Eiji Oyamatsu has almost finished a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary nearly 10m (32 ft) tall. The image, which he started carving 40 years ago, is dedicated to the memory of thousands who died in the 17th century during the Shimabara Rebellion – an alliance of local ronin and Catholic peasants who fought the Tokugawa shogunate’s unpopular policies including the suppression of Christianity and the consequent persecution of Nagasaki Christians which was by then the main epicenter of Japanese Christianity When the Tokugawa fought the Shimabara Rebellion broad areas of what are now Nagasaki and Kumamoto were swept Japanese Christians and farmers had no other resource but to hole up in Hara Castle to try to confront the troops sent by the Shogunate More than 30,000 of the rebels were killed there The remains of Hara Castle are in Minami-Shimabara where volunteers decided to build a facility for Oyamatsu’s sculpture A Roman Catholic himself, Oyamatsu visited the remains of Hara Castle around 1971. According to The Asahi Shimbun, he was “struck by the absence of memorial monuments or other similar facilities at the site.” Ten years later as Pope John Paul II visited Japan (including Nagasaki in his itinerary) Oyamatsu decided to make the gigantic statue of the Virgin Mary as a memorial Oyamatsu insists on working solo on the project declining all offers of assistance or funding: “I want to see how far I can go with my own abilities A climber wouldn’t have much fun if he were to take a helicopter to the summit Mary Kannon of Hara Castle,” in reference to 17th-century images of Virgin Mary in the guise of Kannon which Nagasaki Christians kept after Christianity was banned Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you Please make a tax-deductible donation today Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news Today's print edition Home Delivery Perched on the waterfront of the Shimabara Peninsula looking out across the placid waters of the Ariake Sea to the mountains of the Kyushu mainland in the distance Pesceco occupies a location that is little short of idyllic It is this setting that inspires and manifests in the creative seafood-based cuisine of chef Takahiro Inoue But you’ll know you’ve arrived once you see the compact its impeccable blue-gray facade bisected by a single horizontal window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); this is architecture that would catch the eye Here in this far-flung corner of Nagasaki Prefecture especially in a low-key regional city with such an ingrained sense of history as Shimabara In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division Nagasaki Prefecture--A paper-craft model of Shimabara Castle here was released in April to mark its 400th anniversary considered to be one of Japan’s top 100 castles started in 1618 and finished several years later It was built by the warlord Matsukura Shigemasa The castle’s five-story tower was built without triangle-shaped “hafu” gables which typically adorn castles of the period The paper-craft edition is a 1:140 scale model The ready-to-assemble kit sells for 1,800 yen ($11.50) The work is the brainchild of Chikako Koyama who heads the product planning and sales division of the Shimabara Tourism Bureau She spent seven months developing the product after starting work on it last September crafted four prototypes by the year-end before turning her thoughts to which colors to use She went to great lengths to recreate the color and shape of each stone of the walls including a heart-shaped stone that is a highlight of the castle’s foundations Koyama even visited the print shop to supervise the color of the tiles The paper-craft kit is available at a shop near the castle as well as the Seiryutei tourism exchange facility and the tourist information office at Shimabara Port Koyama said 2,000 kits were delivered initially and that a new version will be created when they run out we want to incorporate the opinions of customers to make the product even better,” Koyama said Digital art light show transforms Kanazawa Castle at night Designer creates tiny models of Hirosaki Castle out of paper 10-meter Virgin Mary statue set for Nagasaki Himeji Castle to be immortalized in Lego; global sales from Aug Lisa’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan/ Himeji Castle: Peerless in graceful form and tactical function the sight of Shimabara Castle outraged peasants to the point of revolt over the high taxes they paid to build it the structure inspires a different feeling in those who see its massive shadow looming over the Sea of Ariake off the coast here at night on weekends and holidays The silhouette of Shimabara Castle's keep appears in the sky when the structure is illuminated by strong lighting the shadow was seen clearly in the night sky above the Sea of Ariake from the top floor of the castle keep A young couple from Nagasaki was absorbed in the spectacular view The white Shimabara Castle ranks among Japan's top 100 castles a staffer of the now-defunct Shimabara Castle promotion association noticed a massive silhouette reflected in the sky over the sea while making preparations for visitors to watch fireworks over Shimabara Port from the observation deck on the fifth floor of the keep It was the shadow of the keep illuminated by lighting The association wasted no time in calling the silhouette Castle Monster When the association disbanded in fall that year to form the Shimabara Tourism Bureau with three other organizations it started promoting the Castle Monster as one of its sightseeing highlights the attraction placed first in the vote for the prefecture's top 10 spiritual energy spots which was published on a tourism information website managed by the prefectural government The silhouette changes shape every day depending on the presence or absence of clouds and their density the position of the moon and the intensity of the light source The silhouette looks as if it is a valiant warrior with multiple swords when the night sky is clear and the sharp outline of the five-story keep emerges when the sky is covered with clouds "We hope spectators take their time and enjoy the 'night at Shimabara Castle' newly added with various values," said Osamu Suetsugu head of the product planning and sales division at the Shimabara Tourism Bureau The castle keep is illuminated between 6:30 p.m Spectators can also enjoy a bird's-eye view of the night cityscape of Shimabara from the top floor while they can glimpse the city lights of Kumamoto in the distance Hideyoshi castle ruins in Kyoto called ‘discovery’ of this century Only photo of Fukuchiyama Castle in feudal age causes a stir Replica of Edo Castle tower on show at Imperial Palace in Tokyo Lake Biwako’s secret: Warlord’s Osaka Castle bridge is there Preservation of underwater sites widens for pirate castle Transforming abandoned railway lines into dedicated cycling trails has become a fashionable option for rural areas of Japan that are hoping lycra-clad tourists can put them on the road to economic viability With the central government having identified cycling as a growth area that can bring spending from both local and overseas enthusiasts to the countryside dedicated cycling trails have been built or are being planned across the country Nearly 10 routes already use discontinued railway lines in locations from Hokkaido to the north to Nagasaki and Oita to the south on the island of Kyushu the regional railways were progressively shut down as automobiles depopulation and a shift to high-speed intercity trains cut passenger numbers natural disasters have also forced some regional rail lines with damage to close without ever being restored due to a lack of financial resources and demand there are about a dozen railway lines where services are suspended after being affected by natural disasters including heavy rains The future looks uncertain for some of these debt-burdened lines with the railway operators and local governments keen to seriously consider a future where the lines can be put to another use Hoping to create a railway-to-cycling trail conversion model work on a defunct railroad in Nagasaki Prefecture is underway with those involved hoping to create a world-class cycle tourism attraction A 35-kilometer section of what was once the 78.5-km Shimabara Railway line is being rebuilt as a cycling route 16 years after the last train ran there A series of eruptions of a nearby volcano halted services in that section several times in the 1990s although the lack of passengers was a direct cause for it to be indefinitely shut in 2008 which has jurisdiction for areas encompassing the section decided in 2019 to convert most of it into a cycle and pedestrian path The cycling trail was partially opened in 2022 and the rest is expected to be available during the 2024 fiscal year starting in April although snowballing construction costs are giving city authorities major headaches The city is home to the ruins of Hara Castle a World Heritage site and the scene of the Shimabara Rebellion and the Tokugawa shogunate that took place nearly 400 years ago "We want to attract people who enjoy cycling and stay in hot spring facilities," Hiromasa Yoshioka "Riding on the wide road is exhilarating." Yoshioka served as a guide for a tour in a coastal section of the trail in early December involving about 20 cyclists who enjoyed stops at a lookout and souvenir shop Cycle tourism is becoming increasingly popular in Japan due to the health benefits not to mention the fact it can be a relatively cheap activity that allows people a low-impact way to get close to nature The gentle gradients of roads originally laid out for trains make ideal cycling paths with existing stations and other facilities making perfect rest stops According to a central government white paper on transportation policy there were approximately 560 km of railroad lines in Japan discontinued between April 2010 and April 2023 The government scheme that encourages conversion of the lines to cycling trails was approved by the Cabinet in June 2018 paving the way for an increase in pedal-powered activities a 180-km cycling course opened in Ibaraki Prefecture featuring the abandoned tracks of the former Tsukuba Railway and a public road that runs along the Kasumigaura lakeshore The Tsukuba-Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road is attracting many cyclists who appreciate its easy-to-access location and the retro-tinged atmosphere surrounding old-fashioned station buildings used as rest stops The Kubiki Cycling Road in the Joetsu area stretches a little more than 30 km along the Sea of Japan coast It was transformed from railway tracks used for a Hokuriku Line section that was rerouted The road has gained popularity among young people for its public relations character which was created by students at a local vocational school and plays a major social media promotional role Tsukuba-Kasumigaura has been designated as one of the handful of the "National Cycle Routes" under government-backed campaigns for creating cycling roads capable of meeting international standards and thus attracting cyclists of various levels from Japan and elsewhere Other designees include the Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road a 70-km toll road running along the expressway linking Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures across the Seto Inland Sea in western Japan and the 403-km Tokapchi 400 route in Hokkaido that is laid amidst vast plains a Tokyo-based company promoting cycling and running sports showed there were an estimated 13.82 million cycle tourists in Japan from 2020 to 2021 with expectations high that there will be an influx of Europeans who are known to enjoy two-wheeled touring "Areas around train stations originally had many shops and converting these (abandoned tracks) into cycling routes is an effective means of promoting tourism," said Masahito Ono a senior official in the office for promoting the use of bicycles at the Ministry of Land an organization that encourages leisure cycling emphasized the importance of creating environments that are easy for tourists to visit with the necessary wayfinding signs and other amenities Baguettes on notice as "onigiri" take bite out of Paris' lunch trade Local gov'ts supporting elderly by promoting cashless payment systems Film poses moral questions about 2011 Fukushima disaster displacement Vox Populi Vox Dei is a daily column that runs on Page 1 of The Asahi Shimbun a deficit of grains and vegetables) is a package containing an assortment of locally produced rice and vegetables There is also a ballpoint pen said to be capable of erasing red ink Both are new items being sold in Nagasaki Prefecture by Shimabara Railway a local deficit-ridden private railway company that is advertising its own chronic financial shortfall to market novelty merchandise Japan’s “akaji kokusai,” or deficit-covering government bonds issued to finance a fiscal shortfall That was initially what bothered Daiki Shimada “But I needn’t have worried,” said Shimada “Everyone said if our deficit was so bad and we had to resort to selling vegetables they’d back the plan all the way.” The company has since come up with a premium version of its original Akaji Kokusai line of assorted grains and produce the company is filled with an unprecedented sense of elation The Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen of the Kyushu Rail Co will connect with the Shimabara Railway’s starting station Shimabara Railway is modifying its timetable to match the new bullet train service and is working with the local community to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to revive tourism The railway carried 4.6 million passengers a year at the height of the tourism boom during the Showa Era (1926-1989) But after the tracks were ruined by the 1991 volcanic eruption of Mount Fugen there was no stemming the declining ridership the profitability of the Akaji series of merchandise is only marginal,” noted Yukei Yoshida “But the Akaji has made our company name well-known.” Trying out my ballpoint pen that can erase red ink I thought about the public nature of railway companies They certainly have a unique influence that cannot be measured by profitability alone The flexibility of mind with which Shimabara Railway turned a deficit into humor could not have been born from a dry Under a banner celebrating the inauguration of the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen I boarded a single-car train from Shimabara Station The train was filled with elderly shoppers and high school students on their way home from extracurricular activities whose signboard proclaimed itself to be “the station closest to the sea in Japan.” I fantasized about the day when the Shimabara Railway’s red ink finally turns to black Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture JR Tokai projects historic annual net loss due to the pandemic friendly look the boast of new Kamome Shinkansen Kintetsu Railway plans to haul industrial items on express trains Bullet train route in Kyushu beset by problems before opening bullet train ridership fall 90-95% in Golden Week Kanichi Kanegae was the mayor of Shimabara in Nagasaki Prefecture while volcanic eruptions continued at nearby Fugendake Readily recognizable for his long white beard he vowed not to shave it off until his prayer for the eruptions to end was answered Kanegae swore that oath when an eruption triggered a deadly pyroclastic flow on June 3 and Kanegae delivered this funeral address: "You who put yourselves on the line to protect the lives and assets of people .. 16 were news media personnel and four were taxi drivers who'd been hired by them The firefighters perished while warning reporters off I am painfully familiar with the urge to get as close to the scene of action as possible But that got other people killed in the process But precisely because even this terrible tragedy will continue to recede into the past we must renew our resolve to not let it fade into oblivion We must never forget that volcanoes in our country can turn lethal at times Every effort must be made to prevent the recurrence of similar disasters Kanegae recalled that the media's massive coverage of the eruptions generated nationwide empathy for the victims and survivors But he minced no words in criticizing reporters for refusing to heed evacuation orders "Between volcanologists and members of the media there was a gap in the perception of danger." Reporters are duty-bound to fulfill their professional responsibility They must strive for this balance in every situation App for disasters rooted in ‘Evangelion’ a big hit in Japan Indonesia’s Sinabung spews column of volcanic ash into sky EDITORIAL: Living with risk of eruptions and finding ways for people to be safe EDITORIAL: Abe’s lies about banquet funds finally come back to haunt him 3/11 survivor to media: Stop portraying us as all the same VOX POPULI: ‘Primitive’ wrong term for artifacts found at Jomon Period sites Nagasaki Prefecture--Locals gathered here on June 3 to commemorate the massive eruption of Mount Unzen’s Fugendake 30 years ago which killed 43 people including firefighters and journalists About 60 bereaved family members and others attended a ceremony held in front of a memorial cenotaph installed in a corner of the Nita housing complex in Shimabara where people who lost homes due to the disaster had relocated The cenotaph is located about 5 kilometers east of the peak of Fugendake Attendees offered a prayer to 43 victims who died in 1991 and to another person who died in the pyroclastic flows that occurred on June 23 fast-moving mix of superhot gases and volcanic matter Shimabara Mayor Ryuzaburo Furukawa noted in a speech that the volcano is still unstable “A 100-million-cubic-meter lava dome is still stretching at the mountaintop precariously,” Furukawa said “Further strengthening disaster prevention measures is the very least we can do for the souls of the dead.” The attendees offered white chrysanthemum flowers on a makeshift altar the bereaved family members were expected to ride in a Self-Defense Forces helicopter and fly over the Kamikoba area where many died from being swept up by the pyroclastic flows the time the pyroclastic flows occurred 30 years ago a siren was sounded around the city calling for a moment of silence Daughter of journalist killed by volcano keeps his spirit alive Cars dug out of the ashes from 1991 Fugendake volcanic disaster Unzen deaths remind reporters some risks aren’t worth the story Leaf KYOTO Store Locations Coffee time at an old house in Shimabarakuchi where time passes slowly [Necktie Coffee] A new restaurant has appeared in Shimabara both former employees of Blue Bottle Coffee The store is located in Maako's hometown of Shimabara The eye-catching name of the store comes from an episode in which Yu wore a necktie during his days at Blue Bottle Coffee In the somewhat retro atmosphere of the store time passes leisurely as foreign tourists staying at a nearby guesthouse enjoy their breakfast or an elderly lady in the neighborhood takes a break with a cup of coffee Hot coffee of the day is a gorgeous Ethiopian and is roasted over a long period of time to suppress acidity making it easy to drink while maintaining its unique flavor and other sweets made with coffee in mind are also popular Kanagawa Prefecture--A sculptor has almost completed a nearly 10-meter-tall wooden statue of Virgin Mary that he started carving 40 years ago to pray for the souls of thousands of people killed in Kyushu in the 17th century is working alone on the statue and using his own money were so moved by Oyamatsu’s enthusiasm that they decided to build a dedicated facility for the statue and plan to start housing it there in late June “It seems fateful that I set about this work without being commissioned by anybody and the statue will now be hosted in a place that deserves it the most,” the sculptor said The Shimabara Rebellion swept across broad areas of what are now Nagasaki and Kumamoto prefectures in 1637-1638 Christians and farmers holed up in Hara Castle to confront troops sent by the Tokugawa Shogunate The remains of Hara Castle are located in Minami-Shimabara a lost-wax casting artist and a government-designated “living human treasure,” who was also from Sado Oyamatsu later trained as a live-in apprentice to wood carver Choshu Hashimoto (1899-1960) and moved his base to Fujisawa during the 1970s He won the top “prime minister’s prize” at the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten) in 2011 had visited the remains of Hara Castle around 1971 and was struck by the absence of memorial monuments or other similar facilities at the site He decided to make the gigantic statue of Virgin Mary as a memorial in 1981 when John Paul II became the first pope to visit Japan Oyamatsu first created a 50-centimeter-tall “Virgin and Child” statue along with a letter carrying the carver’s feelings and thoughts saying the pope was blessing his life and his work The pope’s benediction provided a huge moral support Oyamatsu proceeded to make gradually larger images measuring 2.5 meters and 6 meters tall until he set about working on the current statue measuring 9.5 meters in height Its pedestal alone is 3 meters tall and 2.5 meters wide so Oyamatsu has made the statue in log-house style After finishing his regular work for the day He also insists on working solo on the project and he has declined all offers of assistance or funding “I want to see how far I can go with my own abilities,” Oyamatsu said “A climber wouldn’t have much fun if he were to take a helicopter to the summit His work on the Virgin Mary statue became known to residents in Minami-Shimabara Oyamatsu in 2015 decided to donate the statue to the Minami-Shimabara city government saying it went against the separation of religion and politics the volunteer group in 2020 set up the Citizens’ Association for the Minami-Shimabara World Heritage and sought donations to reactivate the plan “We were deeply moved by the earnest feelings of the artist,” said an official with the association’s secretariat the more you realize it’s a wonderful work We want to host the statue here in Minami-Shimabara at any price.” The total cost of transportation and installation is estimated at around 100 million yen ($770,000) Construction of a main tower for housing the Virgin Mary statue started in April on a hillock through the 30 million yen or so that had been donated so far The tower is expected to be completed in late June The site offers a sweeping view of the remains of Hara Castle which were named as part of a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2018 and of the Amakusa Islands across a strait which were also embroiled in the Shimabara Rebellion The name contains reference to Maria Kannon or images of Virgin Mary in the guise of the Kannon deity of Buddhism which hidden Christians in the area worshipped when Christianity was banned in Japan from the 17th through 19th century Oyamatsu will enter the enshrinement site when his statue is brought there The work is expected to take about three months “I am still being nervous because some parts may not fit when they are actually assembled on site,” the sculptor said “Far from feeling relieved that the hardest part of the work is over The statue is expected to go on public display in spring next year Famed monster sculptor turns to newspapers for latest creations Ancient Buddhist statue in Kyoto reveals secrets during repairs Monday mornings are rough, so thank god for stories like this to be our beacon of hope and happiness during this dreary morning According to Lonely Planet there is a strange phenomenon taking place on a relatively quiet street near Shimabara Castle in the Nagasaki Prefecture of Japan Three tiny holes in a residential unit are doubling as tiny peepholes for three very cute and inquisitive shiba inu dogs The three holes are labelled with the dogs’ names and we can safely assume the smart little pups only put their head through their designated hole The heart-wrenching cute display of obedience and curiosity has become an unlikely tourist attraction for locals and foreigners who wait with baited breath for the good boys and girls to say hello A post shared by Meeting People of the World ? (@crisdakoo) on Jun 13 気を取り直して、端っこから挨拶回り。 1、2、3、4、5、6？ 6柴？ ・ ・ では、もちろんなく、追いかけてどつかれてるの。 えへ。 #dog #pet #shiba #shibainu #柴 #柴犬 #黒柴 #shibastagram #わんだふるjapan #わんダフォ #島原 #shimabara #3柴 #3柴ーズ A post shared by kensan246 (@kensan246) on Jan 2 #shimabara #nagasaki #shibainu #島原三柴 #traveling #travelgram #travellover #japan the dogs got their popularity thanks to some extensive social media coverage YouTuber Migeul Yeh from Taiwan captured images and video of them so when they heard any sound they put their heads through the tiny holes “The owner of the shiba inus was also very kind I spent about one hour taking a video of his dogs I think maybe he was afraid of disturbing me and was very impressed that I came from Taiwan just for the dogs.” As per Lonely Planet the pups’ owner originally made the three holes as a means of air flow for her garden We introduce five of Japan’s certified “SAVOR JAPAN” farming and fishing communities and the regional cuisines nurtured there No article or any part there of may be reproduced without the express permission of the Cabinet Office. Copyright inquiries should be made through this form Curving south from the heartland of Nagasaki Prefecture the Shimabara Peninsula is known for its scalding hot springs rich agricultural terrain and abundant seafood in the surrounding waters It also conceals a sad and complex history of Christianity this still-active volcano forms the fulcrum of the peninsula Its violent activity formed the contours of this land dark soil in which local farmers grow their crops.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Unzen has rained calamity on the communities below lasted five years and left 44 people dead or missing it triggered a massive tsunami that killed close to 15,000 in what remains Japan’s worst volcanic disaster Our latest trip to Nagasaki Prefecture took us to Shimabara Peninsula home of Japan’s oldest national park With hot spring resorts both in the mountains and by the sea reminders that this was the first area in Japan to welcome foreign tourists cable cars with volcanic views and Japan’s first golf course adding up to just a selection of the sights on offer we had to take a trip to find out more—and made sure we left room for more than just a local lunch The whole peninsula is part of the Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark one of five areas in the country to have become part of the United Nations’ World Geopark Network In fact this was not only the first area in the country of such geological significance to have been inducted onto that list In essence the Geopark tag means that the area is a kind of living and protected “Earth museum” that can help visitors learn about and understand the natural world around them it means that there is some pretty spectacular scenery in the region that is unique in the world “Obama is a seaside town well-known as a coastal hot spring resort long before the 44th president took his seat in the US – though that hasn’t stopped locals emblazoning onsen towels with a caricatured image of their town’s namesake enjoying a steamy bath” Geo Saraku is a locally concocted phrase meaning “to walk around the geo-site” and for us this meant hopping in our rental car and choosing one of many sample itineraries recommended by staff at a local tourist information center who have literature in English that will help you get the most out of your visit The people around here seem immensely proud of their local area and there is definitely a welcoming feel to many more isolated areas that is pleasing this far from Tokyo Our drive first took us in and out of glorious bays to the southeast of Nagasaki City and onwards past numerous fishing villages towards Obama a seaside town well-known as a coastal hot spring resort long before the 44th president took his seat in the US—though that hasn’t stopped locals emblazoning onsen towels (a novelty souvenir that seemed a snip at ¥200) with a caricatured image of their town’s namesake enjoying a steamy bath You’ll know you’ve arrived when you spot that steam spouting from chimneys around a small harbor and even seeming to flow through guttering at the side of the road there are plenty of options for lunch here Obama Champon noodles seem the most obvious choice (you can’t miss them but we found our bowl with a view from the second floor overlooking the harbour at Yoshicho well worth writing home about) but you might also head to the seafront market or Marine Park to select and steam or boil your own local vegetables and seafood (including the delicious-all-year-round tairagane crabs) in hot spring water Next we headed deeper into the thickly vegetated hills (dolphin watching off the southern tip of the peninsula or checking out its pristine beaches would have to wait for another day) and onwards towards the Unzen City area We were on the way to one of the first points foreign tourists would have regularly encountered in Japan and many of the hotels in the cool highland resort offer a nostalgic stay with the historic Unzen Golf Club that spans the foothills of Mt Unzen (it opened in 1913) further hinting at that past foreigners would visit the area from Nagasaki and when a regular ferry connected the city of Shanghai with the region from the 1920s onwards there followed a boom that culminated in the national park’s formation past a visitor center that helps you on your way you’ll find a densely steaming “Jigoku” (hell) geothermal area and some well-signposted hikes We climbed onwards up local roads towards the Nita Pass a stunning road that winds up and around the volcano looks down on the golf course and lakes below before opening up to offer a view out towards the Ariake Sea There are many stopping off and viewing points where you can look at evidence of eruptions that have shaped the area over the years a spectacular lava dome formed in the early 1990s The Unzen Ropeway will take you further before you wind your way back down the island but don’t miss the view from the 1,142m Nita Pass Daini Observatory from which you can clearly see the effects of a catastrophic 1792 collapse that left sheer cliffs and a landscape that appears to have melted and spread out into the sea below There is so much to see and do in the National Park and the peninsula as a whole that you could spend at least a week exploring the region but even as a one- or two-day trip that forms part of your exploration of Kyushu this might form the highlight of your stay The best way to get around Shimabara Peninsula is to hire a car You can take the ferry from Kumamoto across the Ariake Sea or drive down from Nagasaki Airport with the journey to Shimabara City taking between an hour and two hours depending on your destination though having your own set of wheels will certainly be beneficial please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent Nagasaki — A 48-year-old man from Tokyo was appointed as the stationmaster of Shimabara Railway’s Shimabara Station for one day in exchange for his donation to Shimabara a tax system called furusato nozei allows a person to make a donation to a municipality of their choice The amount of the donation is considered to cover tax payment to their own city Many people take advantage of this system as they might receive something unique from the municipality The Shimabara city government offers about 1,000 different gifts one of which is the one-day stationmaster experience for a donation of ¥200,000 The man is a railway enthusiast and has dreamed of becoming a one-day honorary stationmaster a title that is rarely given to someone who is not a celebrity he was able to make announcements over the loudspeakers and let conductors know when their trains were cleared to depart “It was a good experience because I was able to understand the efforts made to operate trains safely,” he said “I want to brag about this to my family and coworkers.” Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Please upgrade to a more modern version to fully experience JapanToday site and for security reasons International tourists to Japan can expect greater incorporation of technology at attractions as destinations step up to offer more immersive and enticing experiences which was used by tour providers and other travel companies during the COVID-19 pandemic so house-bound people worldwide could enjoy a glimpse of other places is now being increasingly adopted for “in-person” tourism The global virtual reality tourism market was worth $5 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $24 billion by 2027 And research firm Global Market Estimates predicts the market for augmented reality (AR) will grow to $4 trillion by 2030 thanks to the ability of this technology to “superimpose virtual objects onto reality using a smartphone or tablet as well as provide real-time information.” the adoption of fifth generation (5G) wireless technology strong government support and an increased range of applications for VR/AR technologies allows for the adoption of VR and AR in “an increasingly wide range of industries including tourism in the coming years,” according to report by the Japan External Trade Organization One of the early adopters of VR and AR is Kyushu The castle was the location of the Shimabara Rebellion the largest civil conflict during the Edo period (1603–1867) that resulted in the eventual expulsion of the Portuguese from Japan and is a recognized site of Hidden Christians in the region it was thought VR could be a way to bring the site to life according to a spokesperson of the city’s tourism association Visitors can roam the site with a tablet that shows images of what the original castle is believed to have looked like along with text to describe what happened there “It really brings the history and the terrain into a clearer perspective,” said Shannon Lefebvre a representative of Tour Nagasaki whose clients have tried the experience “Educated and experienced travellers,” in particular are likely to find this technology beneficial to “enhance the subject matter.” AR headsets allow visitors to see a selection of individual exhibits that appear to float in the air such as turning them around or enlarging them for a better view Alongside their use as an educational medium VR and AR are also being adopted to showcase Japan’s modern culture and inject more fun into travel experiences tourism stakeholders have created an app based on "Attack on Titan," a manga created by locally born the app allows users to superimpose themselves into famous locations from the story such as Oyama Dam “Visitors from across Japan have given us great feedback on the app and we’re excited that inbound tourists can now enjoy this new kind of experience in Hita for the first time,” said a spokesperson of Hita City Tourism Association has also been banking on the rise of AR and VR After acquiring an uninhabited island in Omura Bay the operating company opened Jurassic Island in 2018 The attraction involves using an AR panel and rifle set to shoot carnivorous dinosaurs and avoid the herbivorous ones while collecting a target number of jewels The AR scope changes color to indicate which dinosaur to shoot and displays the user’s health level in the game in real-time Huis Ten Bosch has since launched a range of high-tech rides including Dragon World Tour which claims to be the fastest VR rollercoaster in the world With the tourism industry seeking out increasingly immersive and exciting attractions using these technologies further disruption can be expected in the not so distant future According to a 2021 white paper released by the Japan Tourism Agency “if research and development of technology that reproduces force and skin sensations progresses there is a possibility that tourism content that allows people to experience snowy mountains and craters that are normally inaccessible to humans will be realized.” Such a development would involve the user not only using a screen or wearing a headset but also donning a special suit—another possible revolution for the travel industry in Japan take your eyes off your phones and computers Of course there are people who are physically unable to travel in which this could be useflu The rise of VR and AR should really be used in the world of Business and Education Imagine if you didn't have to leave home and meet directly with ANYONE ANYWHERE and work alongside your coworkers virtually with all of you together in a virtual room working and communicating as if you are actually there Children and young adults won't have to go to school and teachers can teach from their own home Doing everything virtually means less congestion on the roads As a pioneer in VR working in tourism in Japan I can tell you that it is an amazing tool for tourism We did an event in the Raindance festival last year where hundreds of people could meet a Buddhist abbot in his own temple (that we built in VR) in real time from their homes around the world 99% of them will never travel to Japan and experience the real thing Even those who do cannot see all that the virtual version featured What under-informed people don't realise is that reality and virtual reality doesn't compete - they are complementary experiences of our life made what was inaccessible to people accessible and for those who can pay for the trip and have the time to go to the real place the experience will be all the better thanks to the insights VR can bring Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts A mix of what's trending on our other sites The official website for the short anime Kyoshin to Hyōka no Shiro (The Giant Gods and the Ice Flower Castle) announced on Friday that the first episode has been delayed from this month due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) The website and the anime's social media accounts will announce the new release date as soon as it is decided The story is set in Nagasaki prefecture in Minami Shimabara city the fabled origin of the Shimabara Rebellion that sent shockwaves through all of Japan in the early Edo period It is also where a third-year junior high school student named Shirō spends his days with his school friends Shirō's older childhood friend Akane returns to Minami Shimabara from Tokyo Shirō and Akane take a stroll around Minami Shimabara with another longtime friend While these friends are dealing with nostalgia and more complex feelings a mysterious creature named Goron suddenly appears before them This encounter with a mere little creature causes great events to unfold once more in this city … The anime would have premiered on television and on YouTube this month to promote the city of Minami Shimabara People from the city worked on the voice cast It is the first anime that Nagasaki Culture Telecasting has produced since its founding in 1990 Takeshi Takadera is directing the sound at Half HP Studio, and Cyber Connect 2's Chikayo Fukuda composes the music. LieN is contributing the theme song Sources: Kyoshin to Hyōka no Shiro anime's website, Comic Natalie Nagasaki Prefecture--Three cars buried here were unearthed on Feb 8 for the first time in 30 years since the massive eruption of Mount Unzen’s Fugendake A local landscape contractor dug two taxis and one vehicle out of the ashes from the eruption as volunteer residents watched over the grim work He saw the taxi for the first time since the tragedy in 1991 “I’ve finally been able to meet him,” said Ishibashi The recovery area was near the site where the media gathered to take photos of the eruption Residents will start work to preserve the area as ruins of the disaster and put the cars on public display in March 16 members of the media and four taxi drivers died near the photo spot for reporters at the foot of the mountain Huge eruption engulfs remote Nishinoshima south of Tokyo In 2020 reboot of ‘Japan Sinks’ the disaster is no longer the star Thirty-one-year-old Miharu Yanai remembers the days when she felt overwhelmed by guilt from the tragic death of her father 30 years ago She was only a year old in 1991 when the massive volcanic eruption from Mount Unzen’s Fugendake peak killed her father Makio was covering the eruption in Shimabara when he was swept up by a pyroclastic flow--a fast-moving mix of volcanic matter and superhot gases--and died But the stern eyes of the public turned toward members of the news media like Makio who remained in the area despite warnings from local firefighters about the dangers of getting too close to the violent pyroclastic flows Public sentiment was that if the press had stayed out of the area the firefighters and taxi drivers would not have died But her grandmother and relatives told her about him when she visited his grave The internet meanwhile offered her ample access to the unfiltered views of the public “What he did is murder,” one post said about Makio But her mother told her: “The media was probably meeting the desire of viewers who want to watch interesting news there will be people who experience the same grief like us.” a TV camera that Makio used when he died turned up went to the Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall in Shimabara that was storing the camera In the video produced by a commercial TV station who was a city employee at the time of the eruption police officers … Every one of them had different emotions,” said the figure in the video Yanai felt the remark lifted some of the great weight off her shoulders She began to feel it is OK for her to have her own feelings about the incident she took out Makio’s single-lens reflex camera that had been stored deep inside a closet and took it to a repair shop she watched family videos Makio shot that had been stored at home One of them showed Yanai when she was just a newborn It was the first time she could remember seeing Makio alive Yanai started to cry as she watched the scene She picked up Makio’s camera and took a picture of the screen titled “In search of love,” was later displayed at a photo exhibition Yanai visited the Fugendake peak alone for the first time She set down a tripod in the area where the press had gathered at the time of eruption She used Makio’s camera and took pictures of the mountain Yanai studied at an art university in France She returned to Japan in late January this year and became a company employee in Tokyo Her pictures of Fugendake have been on display at the memorial hall since May Yanai is expected to attend for the first time a memorial ceremony held in Shimabara which will mark the 30th anniversary of the disaster “The past 30 years was for me to learn what happened,” Yanai said and I will think about what I should say.” Victims of Unzen volcano eruption remembered 30 years on is characterized by its vibrant and contrasting autumn leaves densely packed on steep slopes.Photo: UNZEN Destination Service Located in the northwestern part of Kyushu in the southwest of the Japanese archipelago Nagasaki Prefecture is home to Mount Fugendake* (1,359 m) and a range of other mountains collectively known as Mount Unzen The Fugendake area is well known for its beautiful autumn leaves We spoke with a person involved in tourism promotion in the Unzen region to learn more about the appeal of its autumn scenery Located in the central part of the Shimabara Peninsula in southern Nagasaki Prefecture Fugendake is a picturesque mountain surrounded by the sea on three sides due to its peninsula geography offering breathtaking views of both the sea and mountains from the summit a public relations staff member for UNZEN Destination Service which is still experiencing volcanic activity features a magnificent and undulating landscape where visitors can enjoy views of the Ariake Sea Many tourists visit each year to experience the colorful autumn leaves that peak in early November.” the Fugendake Autumn Leaves Forest was designated as a National Natural Monument in 1928 This area is covered with a deciduous broadleaf forest that has been preserved in its natural state featuring 70 to 80 species of trees and around 50 other plant species The diverse array of trees and plants that change color in autumn is a distinctive feature of the area with 3 species (as seen in the photos below) such as the Siebold maple and Red-vein maple particularly covering large parts of the forest “The highlight is the breathtaking view of autumn leaves just before reaching the summit seen from the gondola of the Unzen Ropeway which connects the observation deck at Nita Pass** (1,040 m) to Mount Myokendake (1,333 m) You can enjoy a full 360-degree panorama of stunning autumn colors ranging from 850 to 1,300 meters in elevation offer a remarkable contrast between exposed rock This contrast is often compared to a coral reef,” explains SHIRAHAMA is another reason it attracts so many visitors “Visitors can enjoy the view of Mount Fugendake and the adjacent Mount Heisei-Shinzan (1,486 m) along with the autumn leaves from the observation deck near the summit of Mount Myokendake,” says SHIRAHAMA which attracts around 200,000 visitors annually is also seeing an increase in international tourists there is an information center called UNZEN Visitor Center which offers English brochures and audio guides the stunning landscape created by the vibrant autumn leaves around the Fugendake area is truly incredible why not experience this extraordinary natural beauty for yourself * Located in the center of the Shimabara Peninsula this is the highest mountain within a volcanic group collectively referred to as Mount Unzen a lava dome (1,468 m) appeared about 500 meters east of Mount Fugendake Mount Fugendake is sometimes written as “Mount Fugen” or “Mount Unzen-Fugendake.”** Nita Pass is a central hub for tourism of the Unzen area and visitors can take the ropeway up Mount Myokendake Tsuri-bana (spindle-tree)A native Japanese tree found in the mountainous regions of Honshu “Tsuri” corresponds to hanging in Japanese This deciduous shrub belongs to the Celastraceae family By TANAKA NozomiPhotos: UNZEN Destination Service; PIXTA If you have any feedback or comments on this content please enter them in the space provided below Your valuable feedback and commnents will be referenced for our future operations Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter for receiving monthly updates You will be redirected to an external website Would you like to proceed?If you wish to continue The music video for LieN's theme song also debuted on YouTube: The first episode of Shiro, the Giant, and the Castle of Ice was originally slated to stream in May but was delayed due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) The remaining three episodes will debut between fall and the end of 2020 The anime would have premiered on television and on YouTube in May to promote the city of Minami Shimabara The anime also stars Romi Park as Shirō Amakusa and YouTuber Shinigami in an unspecified role Takeshi Takadera is directing the sound at Half HP Studio, and Cyber Connect 2's Chikayo Fukuda composes the music Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version Leaf KYOTO event KYOTO 365" a project to experience Kyoto's food culture by young masters of Japanese restaurants will be held in February and March at four ryotei restaurants in Kyoto The picture is an image (a part of Kaiseki course) Read on to find out how and meet the latest dogs for adoption through Buddies Interested in adopting a dog but not sure how long you’ll be staying in Japan or able to commit to a pet in the long term Buddies works with a team of volunteers who foster dogs until they find their forever homes If your landlord allows pets and you can dive into training sessions for caring for one of the rescue dogs then please feel free to email Carna at buddies.adoption.foster@gmail.com or message via Instagram @buddies.temp.agency Don’t worry if you have to travel back to your home country to visit family the Buddies team of volunteers supports each other in dog care as much as they can See below for the dogs currently available for fostering Toto is a 2-3 month-old male pup from Shimabara His name comes from the Shimabara dialect “Tottotto.” Weighing about 6 kg He easily gets carried away but is a happy pup we recommend him to a family who likes to have fun Please email Carna at buddies.adoption.foster@gmail.com or message via Instagram @buddies.temp.agency Zen is 2-3 month old baby girl from Shimabara Her name comes from a large mountain called Unzen in Shimabara She is very curious and her eyes are so adorable I have a feeling she will become like a cute clingy baby gets his name from his birthplace in Shimabara he always keeps his face close to his other siblings He is a little shy but very calm. He has a sweet baby face and fluffy fur that you’re going to love Uli is a 2-3 month-old pup and the most shy of the siblings Her name comes from the fact that Uli Melon is a specialty of Shimabara and that she looks a little like Uribo (Baby boar) She tends to hide behind the other puppies and Toto often sits on her but she is a gentle girl who never gets angry You have no idea how touching it is when shy dogs like her open up to you I can’t wait to see how she grows every day whose name comes from the Ariake Sea that surrounds her hometown Shimabara Her most attractive point is her big and round ears but she can stand up for what she thinks is right She often says “Stop it!” to Toto when he sits on her but she always tries to accept us when we treat her gently and slowly I think she will change when she finally finds a person and place she can rely on We are proud to introduce our new furriend Milo was saved when he was a 2 m/o puppy and spent his whole puppy life in a shelter gentle and quiet boy but he’s getting socialized day by day at a foster’s house alongside a fiesty chihuahua size doesn’t matter) and even friendly to cats If you are looking for a big buddy (around 14kg) who is calm in the house and active outside the house His favorite thing to do outside is dig like crazy and his favorite indoor activity is lying in bed like a couch potato — he grew up in a cage in the shelter so he’s making the most of this newly discovered comfy furniture You’ll instantly fall in love with Milo he has such a big personality and is derpy but distinguished at the same time Guy is around 1 year old and is a neutered male he’s living in Osaka but he told us he wouldn’t mind relocating to Tokyo if he can find his perfect forever family He’s a very smart boy and enjoys learning and thinking by himself He still acts like a puppy and sometimes has a tendency to chew things and accidentally swallow something (but he promised us that he’s working hard with his trainers to get better day by day on this) He gets along well with strangers and is gentle with other dogs He will be a perfect match for a family where he can experience many things together and grow with each other especially if you can be active and keep his sharp mind stimulated She’s around 3-5 years old and in unneutered She weighs 10kg and likes everyone she meets — she even approaches strangers to ask for cuddles She used to be a stray mom before she was taken into the shelter Sometimes she is independent but she’s really sweet and will happily wag her tail just by getting your eye contact but she loves to go for walks and walks like crazy She is currently being treated for filariasis so treatment is expected to be completed in 1-2 years) Sue is currently living in Osaka but she told us she doesn’t mind relocating if she can find her perfect best friend who likes walking as well as chilling and snuggling in the house Buddies is a bilingual company that provides rescue dogs with safe and loving homes in Tokyo and Japan After giving our dogs plenty of treatment and training we create an opportunity for them to interact with dog lovers while they’re in search of their forever home The Buddies “staff” are our resident dogs They make sure humans can come and relax for yoga and they help our foster and adoption dogs feel welcome Buddies was founded by a veterinarian and since then we have devoted ourselves to increasing the quality of life for our rescue dogs We have also worked towards spreading awareness of rescue dogs in Japan as well as assisting in the adoption of our dogs Our goal is to make our rescue dogs’ lives paw-sible and your life colorful Japan is considered weak by international standards The Buddies team estimates that there are over 100,000 dogs and cats euthanized every year Though the pet industry in Japan is thriving over 80 percent of dogs are purchased from pet stores rather than through adoption or through foster centers The ethics of pet stores that sell dogs and cats are often questionable and leftover pets are often sold to the black market to be euthanized most people in Japan are unaware of the situation going on inside pet stores in Japanese culture there is a negative connotation behind shelter animals most people tend to buy their pets in regular stores Many international residents living in Japan have an interest in rescuing animals it is often not an easy task as it is incredibly difficult to find an animal-friendly apartment to rent It’s also difficult to find an English-speaking vet or trainer animal rescue groups are often hesitant to give out their animals to international residents Buddies would love to help you start a new paw-some life in Tokyo by our paw-working service rescue dogs dispatch and adoption services who are often turned down by many shelters in Japan (Interviews are needed to ensure the best match for both dogs and adopters.) We also offer a reliable support service after adoption that includes medical consultation in English or Japanese and the delivery of vet-recommended food and supplements so that you can fully enjoy life with your fur-mily in Japan If your landlord allows pets and you can dive into training sessions and caring for one of our rescue dogs then please feel free to email Carna at info@buddies.life or message via Instagram @buddies.temp.agency you can work while being surrounded by adorable rescue dogs in a coworking space You will be able to cuddle with the dogs and support the rescue dogs emotionally helping them start to feel safe around people and supporting them while they find their forever home the dogs join the coworking space for the afternoon and you can contact Buddies if you’re interested in having us visit your office space to deliver healing and special experiences In offices where we have dispatched dogs in the past such as promoting communications among employees and reducing employee stress levels by half we have also confirmed that the stress levels of our dogs also lower after their dispatching service Website: https://www.buddies.life/ Contact form: Here YouTube: Buddies | 保護犬の犬材派遣会社 From purple sweet potatoes to wild horse sightings here’s how to make the most of Okinawa’s tropical escape Explore the best local brands shaping Tokyo’s fashion scene From vintage clothing to Hawaiian-themed goods here’s what’s worth checking out before it’s gone From buying and registering a bike to key rules of the road Collagen staples for beauty and health in Japan Our handpicked list of the best events going on this month and the untold tales of Japan’s queer community Everything you need to know before and during a natural disaster Stay up to date with Tokyo news and events was sent to Manchukuo (present-day Manchuria) to document the war winning first prize at the Fuji Photo Contest in 1954 with his color photograph he established a commercial studio but also published his own works focusing on Japanese history and nature.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); To commemorate the centenary of Iwamiya's death this exhibition showcases 28 works from "The Colors and Shapes of Kyoto," considered one of his masterpieces of vivid imagery Fujifilm Square; Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-3 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Roppongi Stn. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. 03-6271-3350; fujifilmsquare.jp/en Japanese version Japanese version If you’ve never been to Nagasaki, then you’re missing a huge part of the history. Nagasaki located on the coast of Kyushu was widely influenced by China but there are an array of things to see and do in this amazing destination we’ve round up the 6 best day trips from Nagasaki This Dutch-themed destination is located at the northern tip of Omura Bay It was built in 1992 to commemorate the long history between Japan and the Netherlands It’s divided into two areas: the Theme Park Zone and the Harbor Zone and you need to purchase a regular admission ticket to get access to both zones What makes this place so special is that it’s surrounded by Dutch-style homes and tulips – if you’re lucky enough to visit on the blooming season (March to June) First is getting into a high-speed boat from Nagasaki Airport Another option would be taking the JR Seaside Liner towards Sasebo for 1 hour and 30 minutes If you’re coming from Hakata Station in Fukuoka take the JR Limited Express Huis Ten Bosch for 1 hour and 50 minutes Situated on the north-eastern tip of Nagasaki lies Shimabara Peninsula it was hailed as Japan’s first national park It also became Japan’s first global geopark in addition to its many historical sites This destination is also known for its four seasons and its three types of onsen hot spring This is where you can see Japan’s longest footbath and the Obama Hot Spring where you’ll be facing the Unzen mountains and the breathtaking sunset Other activities to do include visiting the former castle town in Shimabara Onsen dolphin watching between Shimabara Peninsula and Amakusa located in the middle of Shimabara’s “City of Swimming Carp.” You can also take a detour at the west side of Shimabara Castle and check out the marvelous Old Samurai Warriors’ Houses take the JR train going to Isahaya Station At Isahaya Station change to the Shimabara Railway (Shimatetsu) to Shimabara Station where travel time will take about approximately 1 hour you can take the bus going to Shimabara Station where it’ll take about 2 hours to get to the station another option would be taking the bus central Kumamoto going to Kumamoto Port you may ride a ferry across the Ariake Bay to Shimabara Port Hailed as the fourth largest island in Nagasaki Hirado should be included in your top places to check out on your next visit to Nagasaki It’s located off the northwest coast of Nagasaki Prefecture One of the reasons why it was called the “Land of the Hidden Christians” is because Christians were forced to give up their religion but few believers have kept the faith and continued to practice their religion in secret There’s the Matsura Historical Museum displaying a large collection of the Matsura’s clan heirlooms Another attraction to check out is the notable churches such as the Francisco de Xavier Memorial Church Kamikouzaki Church and the Tabira Church located over the bridge on the mainland First is taking the Rail JR trains from Fukuoka going to Hirado-guchi Station in Tabira with travel time taking about 2 hours Second is taking the Express buses from Hakata Station which will take two hours There are also regular buses heading to Sasebo from the bus terminal near the ferry port This small seaside city is known for being the birthplace of Japanese porcelain wares and pottery making There are various attractions offered for both kids and adults from visiting galleries at the Arita Ceramic Art Museum in Arita town Don’t forget to drop by at the Imari-Arita Ware Traditional Crafts Center to check out more porcelain displays One of the best places to visit here is the Nabeshima Domain Kiln Park dedicated to the history and culture of Imari porcelain and has an amazing backdrop of a mountain for that picture-worthy shot you may also get your shopping done at Arita Street lined with ceramics shops and outlets perfect for that pasalubong shopping To get between Arita and Imari take the Matsuura Railway Nishi-Kyushu Line Sotome was also home to hiding Christians during the Edo Period It’s located one hour away from north-central Nagasaki Some of the places to visit are the Kurosaki Church the famous de Rotz Memorial Museum which was originally used to manufacture fishing nets The museum now displays personal belongings of French missionary Father Marc Marie de Rotz who played a large role in reestablishing the religion in the area Displays to see here includes medical instruments religious items and farming tools used by the aid center Another building he was able to build is the Shitsu Church perched atop a hill overlooking the sea you can either take the hourly bus connections from Nagasaki Station up the Sotome coast you can walk and visit the attractions in Sotome Set off the western coast of Kyushu lies Goto Islands famous for its azure waters and different water activities as this is one of the best places in Japan to make those tropical getaway dream come true Goto Islands are technically a chain of over 100 islands and part of Saikai National Park but usually referring to the five most famous islands You must not forget visiting some of its 50 churches dotted around the islands You can either take the plane, ferry or jetfoil to get to these islands. Since Fukue Island has its own airport, you can visit this island via scheduled flights from Nagasaki and Fukuoka visit the Ferry Terminal which will take about 3-4 hours to reach the islands Nagasaki boasts various historical sites perfect for history buffs and adventure seekers but this prefecture has so much to offer than what meets the eyes This is also the perfect destination if you want to get a breathtaking night view of Japan it is home to eight of the twenty-three of these World Heritage Sites It’s the perfect escape to check out some exotic town and a retreat to the hustle and bustle of daily life Searching for the best hotels and affordable flights? Check out our complete list of affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city Want more updates about new tourist attractions in Nagasaki, Japan? Please follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, and Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas. Get fresh travel stories straight into your inbox Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting Get the best travel stories straight into your inbox Some of the pages on this travel blog contain affiliate links Whenever you buy something or book travel-related services through one of these affiliate links We get a small commission at no extra cost to you we only recommend products and services that we feel are helpful and beneficial to our readers To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. 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