About tourism in Unzen
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What kind of accommodation is at Unzen?
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Unzen has various distinct accommodation facilities, such as 13 hot spring inn hotels, 1 local government-operated inn, 1 resort house, and 5 tourist homes, providing a range of choices to suit your likings.
For more details, please refer to the “Stay” page.
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Are there day-trip bathing facilities at Unzen hot springs?
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For Unzen's day-trip bathing facilities, there are communal bathhouses at which one can casually stop by, foot baths to ease your feet that are tired from walking, not to mention that each inn and hotel has distinctive indoor/outdoor baths that can be used by non-guests as well.
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What is the origin of the name “Unzen hot springs”?
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In the past, Unzen was written as “onsen”, but since being designated as a national park in 1934, the name has been officially changed to “Unzen” as it is known today.
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What is the terrain of Unzen hot springs?
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In 1927, Unzen came in first place in the mountain category for the New Eight Views of Japan, and was designated as our country's first national park in 1934. Unzen is located in the central part of the Shimabara Peninsula in Nagasaki prefecture, and is the collective name of the mountains in Sanpou Gokaku.
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Can I download a tourism pamphlet about Unzen hot springs?
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The tourism pamphlet for Unzen hot springs can be downloaded here.
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What is the weather like at Unzen hot springs? What should I wear?
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Unzen hot springs is located at about 700m above sea level, and compared to flat land, the temperature is an average 5℃ lower, so please dress warmly in the winter.
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Around when is the first snow?
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The first snow, depending on the climate of the year, is usually at the beginning of December.
Additionally, Unzen hot springs is located in a mountainous region, and during a cold wave, there will be plenty of snowfall, so we ask that those coming by car be aware. For information on road conditions, please call the Unzen Hot Springs Tourism Association.
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Are there road stations nearby Unzen?
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In Minami Shimabara, there is the road station “Mizunashi Honjin Fukae”.
This road station has a preserved house from the Mt. Fugen eruption disaster in 1990, so please visit.
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Where is the parking lot for Unzen hot springs? Can large busses be parked?
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Within Unzen hot springs, there are 7 toll parking lots. Parking lots that can accommodate large busses are limited, so for details, please visit the “parking lot” page.
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About sightseeing busses and circulating busses
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Unfortunately, there are no sightseeing busses in Unzen hot springs.
Regarding circulating busses, Shimatetsu Bus (towards Shimabara, Isahaya), and Nagasaki Prefectural Bus (towards Nagasaki) operate route busses, so please use those.
For details, please refer to the “access” page.
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Where is the Unzen hot springs tourist information office?
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Regarding Unzen hot springs' tourist spots and accommodation facilities, please contact the Unzen Hot Springs Tourism Association.
Furthermore, for information on Unzen hot springs' nature, please refer to the “Unzen Mountain Information Center”. For locations on all facilities, please see the map.
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What model course do you recommend?
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We introduce model courses where you can see and experience Unzen hot springs. Please use them as part of your exploration of Unzen.
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Are there facilities where Wi-fi is available?
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The Unzen mountain information center has free Wi-fi, so please feel free to use it.
About tourist facilities at Unzen hot springs
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About attractions
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The attractions that represent Unzen hot springs are Unzen Jigoku, and Unzen Nita Pass. At Unzen Jigoku, white steam billows from the fumaroles, with the smell of sulfur. There are around 30 “jigoku” within Unzen Jigoku, including Daikyokan, Oito, and Seishichi, all with legends on how their names came to be. Additionally, during the Edo period, this is where Christian martyrdom took place. Finally, sold on the premises are the famous “hot spring eggs”, which we encourage you to enjoy.
The pamphlet for Unzen Jigoku can be downloaded here.
The Unzen Nita Pass has different things to offer depending on the season. In the spring, the Unzen azaleas cover the mountainside in pink, and when the fresh, young leaves turn to early summer green leaves, it marks the arrival of summer. When the entire mountain becomes red and orange, autumn and fall leaves have arrived, and come winter, the trees become crystallized with hard rime. Furthermore, from the Nita Pass observatory, you can enjoy the view of the “Heisei New Mountain” created by the Unzen Mt. Fugen eruption and the Amakusa islands in 1990.
Regarding the nature in Unzen hot springs
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Is there an Unzen mountain hiking course?
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At Unzen hot springs, starting with the Unzen Mt. Fugen, which is a symbol of the Shimabara peninsula, there are hiking courses at Mt. Kunimi, Mt. Kusenbu, Mt. No, Mt. Ya, Mt. Takaiwa, and Mt. Kinugasa, offering courses that can be enjoyed by beginners, intermediate, and advanced hikers.
In particular, we recommend the Unzen Mt. Fugen New hiking route, which passes by the Heisei New Mountain.
The pamphlet for Mt.Fugen, Mt.Myoken, Mt.Kunimi can be downloaded here.
The pamphlet for Mt.Kinugasa and Shirakumo Pond can be downloaded here.
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When are the Miyama Kirishima flowers in full bloom?
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Depending on the climate of the year, they are in full bloom usually between early to mid-May.
For information on the condition of the blooming, please contact the Unzen Hot Springs Tourism Association.
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When is the best time to see the fall foliage?
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Depending on the climate of the year, usually the best time is between late October to early November.
For information regarding the condition of the fall colors, please contact the Unzen Hot Springs Tourism Association.
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What tourist sites at Unzen hot springs are certified as a Geopark?
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A Geopark is a natural park where you can learn and about and feel the origins of the land and the Earth, and the relationship with humanity through beautiful natural landscapes and strata with academic value in a fun and proper way. Furthermore, within those Geoparks are Geosites, which are highlights of the Geoparks. Geosites are often located in sections of Geoparks where there are fantastic natural landscapes (terrain) and geological formations, rocks, springs, hot springs, and fossils. However, the best part of the Geopark's highlights are how you can experience the connection with human history and the Earth (Geo). In the backdrop of beautiful landscapes, geological formations and rocks are glimpses of our way of living and culture. Geosites are areas where you can realize and experience those connections.
At Unzen hot springs, Unzen Jigoku and Heisei New Mountain have been certified as Geosites.
Regarding Transportation and Access
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How long does it take to Unzen hot springs from Nagasaki airport, and how do I get there?
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From Nagasaki airport to Unzen hot springs, it is about 1 hour and 20 minutes by car.
If using public transportation, please use the route bus from Nagasaki airport to Isahaya station (using the Nagasaki Prefectural Bus) and change bus at the Isahaya station bus terminal to the Shimatetsu bus for Unzen.
From Nagasaki airport to Isahaya station is approximately 35 minutes, and from Isahaya station to Unzen is around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
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How do I get to Unzen hot springs by ferry from Kumamoto, and how long does it take?
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From Kumamoto, there is a car ferry from Kumamoto port. There are express and regular car ferries, requiring 30 minutes or 1 hour, respectively, so please use either while considering your travel itinerary.
From Shimabara port to Unzen hot springs, it takes approximately 30 minutes by car. For guests using public transportation, please use the route bus from Shimabara port to Unzen (Shimatetsu bus).
