Mount Unzen

What to know

Mount Unzen (雲仙岳, Unzendake) is an active volcano at the center of the Shimabara Peninsula. It has erupted several times over the past few centuries with deadly results. The most recent eruption occurred from 1990 to 1995, when pyroclastic flows and mudslides raced down the mountain toward Shimabara City, destroying buildings along the way. One pyroclastic flow killed several scientists, journalists, and their drivers who were documenting the event, as well as firefighters.

Despite its destructive history, Mount Unzen was recognized in 1934 for its natural beauty and became part of Unzen Amakusa National Park, one of Japan's first national parks. In spring, the slopes are covered in pink azaleas, and summers are mild and green. Due to its high elevation, Mount Unzen is one of the few spots in Kyushu for autumn colors, usually peaking from late October to mid November.

Visitors can drive as far as Nita-toge Pass (using a former toll road; an optional 100 yen cooperation fee is still requested), where the Unzen Ropeway carries passengers partway up the mountain. Both the lower and upper ropeway stations have observation decks with views of the surrounding mountains and, on clear days, the Ariake Sea all the way to Kumamoto Prefecture. The lower station has a large parking lot, shops, restaurants, and trailheads for hiking trails leading up the mountain.

A popular hiking route goes from the upper ropeway station along the ridge to Fugendake (1359 m), the highest peak you can climb. From there, you can see the smoking summit of Heisei Shinzan (1486 m), the highest and newest peak on Mount Unzen, formed during the 1990s eruption. The hike between the upper ropeway station and Fugendake takes about one hour, plus an additional 20–40 minutes if you bypass the ropeway.

A short distance down from Nita-toge Pass lies Unzen Onsen, a hot spring town with nice baths and interesting hot spring fields. The town offers accommodation and convenient access from Shimabara City, Nagasaki, and Fukuoka, making it a good base for climbing Mount Unzen.

Further down the mountain toward Shimabara is the Heisei Shinzan Nature Center, a small museum with displays about the mountain, the effects of the disaster, and ongoing monitoring efforts. A small network of walking trails leads around the center to viewpoints overlooking the mountain. Note that the center is relatively far from Unzen Onsen and must be approached from Shimabara City.