Shimabara travel guide
Shimabara Castle
Region spreads in the foot of gentle Mount Unzen and facing to Ariale sea, Shimabara is consist
of two cities on Shimabara peninsula, Shimabara-city west side of peninsula and Minami-Shmabara
city south-west side of peninsula. Located in the foot of Mount Unzen and facing Ariake Sea, and
those geographical conditions and mild climate create natural scenic beauty in the east and Mount
Unzen including Mount Fugen. The region offers various enjoyable things such as Nature, Onsen,
Castle town of Shimabara-city, and Christian Pilgrimage sites.
Exploring Shimabara
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Located in Shimabara-city and was built in 1625 by the feudal load Matsukura Shigemasa, who was regarded as a master of castle building. The castle, which took 7 years to complete, is also known as “Moritake Castle”. |
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Samurai was a term for the military nobility in pre-industrial Japan. The Samurai Houses in Shimabara along the old Samurai street nearby Shimabara Castle were built in 18th century. |
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The street lined with stone walls and a spring water canal running down the center commemorates the old samurai section of Shimabara. Three Samurai houses have been restored and opened as exhibits. |
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The Christian pilgrimage site, registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site as Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region. The battle field of Shimabara Rebellion which was a peasant uprising agaist bakufu’s persecution of Christians under the leadership of Amakusa Shiro in 1637. |
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During the period of the Southen and Northern Courts (1337-92), the Arima family ruling the Shimabara Peninsula constructed a castle named Hinoe-jo. The 14th lord, Harunobu (1567-1612) was a Christian daimyo and refurbished his castle into a large scale which had gardens, a tea arbor and many rooms. |
Local cuisine in Shimabara, Guzoni
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Guzoni is said to create during the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637. When Christians were fought under the leader ship of Amakusa Shiro, they brought various ingredients such as rice cake, fishes and vegetables, and made a stew. This is the origin of Guzoni.
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Approximately 300 wild Dolphins live in the sea between the Shimabara Peninsula and Amakusa. The dolphin watching cruises have become increasingly popular for all ages, especially because it is possible to see the dolphins so close that you could almost touch them. |
Ferry to Kumamoto, from Shimabara
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Two ferries are operated form Shimabara to Kumamoto Kyusho Ferry : operated by Kyusho Ferry, 60 minutes ride Ocean Arrow : operated by Kumamoto Ferry, 30 minutes ride. |
Ferry to Amakusa (Oniike) , from Kuchinotsu (Minami-Shimabara-city)
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Shimatetsu Ferry : operated by Shinabara Rail Way, 30 minutes ride. |
General information
| Address | Shimabara-city, Nagasaki-prefecture |
| Access |
90 minutes by a vehicle from Nagasaki-city 70 minutes by a vehicle from Nagasaki Air port 30 minutes by a vehicle from Unzen-city |
Shimabara
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