Category: Sightseeing

Amakusa provides a premier marine environment for observing wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins within their natural habitat along the scenic coast of Kumamoto Prefecture. The waters surrounding the Itsuwa district are home to a resident population of approximately 300 dolphins, a phenomenon supported by the nutrient-rich currents of the Hayasaki Strait. This area has long served as a vital ecological corridor, where the proximity of the mountains to the sea creates a unique underwater topography. Unlike migratory pods, these dolphins remain in the local waters year-round, which has fostered a remarkably calm and non-confrontational relationship between the marine life and local vessels. The tradition of the sea in Amakusa is deeply intertwined with this coexistence, as the dolphins have been a constant presence for generations of local fishing communities.The experience is…

The Unzen Jigoku, or Unzen Hell, is a premier geothermal landscape that offers a powerful and evocative encounter with the earth's volcanic energy.   The area is architecturally and geologically defined by its stark, white-crusted ground and over 30 distinct steaming vents. This landscape is the result of high-temperature volcanic gases and steam rising from the magma chamber beneath the Chijiwa Caldera, creating a surreal environment that has fascinated visitors for centuries. The site is crisscrossed by a disciplined network of stone walkways and observation decks, allowing for a controlled exploration of the active "hells", such as the "Daikyoku Jigoku" (Great Shout Hell), which is known for the intense sound of its escaping steam.The significance of the site is defined by its dramatic white steam vents and bubbling mud pools…

The Monument to the Unzen Hell Martyrdom Site honors the 17th-century believers who maintained their faith amidst the region’s scorching geothermal springs. Unzen Jigoku, or "Unzen Hell", is a landscape of stark natural beauty that belies a somber chapter in the history of the Shimabara Peninsula. Between 1627 and 1631, the region’s boiling geothermal springs were utilized as a site of extreme duress for Christians during the height of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s prohibitions. Historical records detail the suffering of individuals who refused to renounce their religious identity, most notably Paulo Uchibori and fifteen of his companions. Today, the site is marked by a dignified stone monument that serves as a focal point for historical reflection. The martyrs of Unzen are formally recognized among the 188 Blessed Martyrs of Japan, a…

Embrace the refined tranquility of the Yanagawa River Boat Ride, a traditional "Kawa-kudari" (down-river) excursion through the intricate canal network of a historic castle town known as the "Venice of Kyushu".   The waterways are architecturally and historically defined by their origin as a sophisticated moat system for Yanagawa Castle, established during the Edo period. These canals, spanning over 470 kilometers, were engineered with a disciplined approach to water management, serving for irrigation, flood control, and defense. The boat journey is conducted on flat-bottomed "donko-bune", which are expertly navigated by boatmen using a single bamboo pole. This rhythmic and manual mode of transport allows for a quiet transition through low stone bridges and past "namako-kabe" (diamond-patterned) storehouses, reflecting the structural elegance of a preserved samurai district.The significance of the boat…

A rare stone masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage site, built by a resilient island community following the end of religious persecution. Kashiragashima Cathedral stands as a singular architectural achievement in Shinkamigoto, being one of the very few stone churches found in Japan. The island of Kashiragashima has a profound history. Nearly its entire population were Christians who were forced to flee during the "Goto Collapse" persecution. Upon their return, the community dedicated themselves to building a permanent sanctuary. Designed and constructed by the master builder Yosuke Tetsukawa, the cathedral was completed in 1919 using sandstone quarried directly from the island, a process that took over a decade due to the manual labor provided by the parishioners themselves. The cathedral is celebrated for its robust Romanesque exterior, which contrasts beautifully with…