A Hot Spring Journey in Nagasaki’s Shimabara Peninsula! Explore Unzen & Obama’s Famous Baths, Food, Sightseeing, and Hotels
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Unzen and Obama Onsen in Nagasaki’s Shimabara Peninsula offer unique mountain and seaside hot spring experiences. Both are designated as “National Hot Spring Resorts.” This guide introduces must-visit hot springs, gourmet spots, and sightseeing attractions.
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National hot spring resorts are designated by the Minister of the Environment under the Hot Springs Act as healthy hot spring resorts where the benefits of hot spring use are expected to be sufficient. 79 hot spring resorts have been designated nationwide (as of October 2024). National hot spring resorts are selected based on the following criteria. 1. Conditions regarding the quality and volume of hot spring water (1) The source of the hot spring water used must be a therapeutic spring. (2) The hot spring water used must have an abundant volume of water. The standard volume of water flow must be 0.5 liters per minute or more per hot spring user. 2. Conditions regarding the environment of the hot spring resort (1) The hot spring is suitable as a resort from the perspective of the natural environment, townscape, history, climate, culture, etc. (2) A plan for the placement of doctors who can provide guidance on proper hot spring use and health management from a medical perspective, or a plan for the placement or training policy of personnel who can provide guidance on bathing methods, etc. in cooperation with the doctors, must be established. (3) Appropriate efforts will be made to protect hot spring resources, manage the hygiene of hot springs, promote public use of hot springs, and take into consideration the elderly and disabled, etc. (4) Enhanced efforts to prevent disasters.
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Table of Contents
- What are Unzen Onsen and Obama Onsen?
- Hot Spring Spot
- Gourmet Spots
- Stopover spots
- Stay here! Obama Onsen's long-established inn "Iseya"
- Access Information
What are Unzen Onsen and Obama Onsen?
Both Unzen Onsen and Obama Onsen are hot spring resorts whose heat source comes from a magma pool deep on the west coast of the Shimabara Peninsula.
We will introduce the characteristics of the two hot springs.
Unzen Onsen: A mountain resort
To get to Unzen Onsen, located in Unzen-Amakusa National Park, which is Japan's first national park, you will have to climb a mountain path by bus or car. Because it is located at an altitude of 700 meters, the temperature is 4 to 5 degrees lower than at the foot of the mountain, and the natural environment is rich.
The surrounding area is filled with the vibrant pink flowers of Miyamakirishi in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and frost in winter, allowing you to enjoy the seasonal natural scenery that is so typical of Japan.
As you walk through the city, you'll notice the smell of sulfur wafting from everywhere.
The highly acidic sulfur spring that gushes out from Unzen Onsen has a strong bactericidal effect and is said to be effective against skin diseases.
*Frost...A fantastic phenomenon in which trees are covered in ice when the temperature drops below freezing
Obama Onsen: A High-Temperature Hot Spring with Abundant Water Flow
Obama Onsen is located on the west side of the Shimabara Peninsula. The hot spring town stretches along the coast, with many hot spring inns boasting spectacular views.
The spring quality is a chloride spring with a high salt content. Due to the high temperature and Toyotomi amount of water, pure white steam rises from all over the town.
In the second half of the article, we will also introduce some steamed cooking spots that take advantage of the characteristics of hot springs!
Hot Spring Spot
1. The charm of "Unzen Jigoku" where both people and cats can relax (Unzen Onsen)
Unzen Jigoku is a place with a unique landscape, with steam rising from the earth and the smell of sulfur in the air. There are several routes to take, and it takes about 40 minutes to walk around the area.
Although it has a scary name, Hell, the ground is warm due to geothermal heat, so it is actually known as a relaxing spot for local cats. Recently, the number of tourists who come just to see the cats has been increasing.
At Unzen Jigoku Kobo, you can enjoy hot spring eggs while touring the Unzen Jigoku. Don't forget to try another specialty, hot spring lemonade!
It recreates the taste of the lemonade that was popular with visitors to Japan 100 years ago, and its refreshing sweetness is sure to soothe your tired body after a long walk.
*The cats are looked after by local people, so visitors are advised to keep a reasonable distance and not to feed them.
2. Yunosato Onsen Public Baths (Unzen Onsen) - Over 100 Years of History
"Yunosato Onsen Public Bath" is a hot spring managed and operated by local people. (Bath fee: 200 yen for adults)
In the past, many mothers would come with their children, and the retro changing room still has beds for babysitting.
3. Free hot spring baths after dining! "Yoshicho" (Obama Onsen) - Full of great service
Yoshicho has a hot spring on the first floor and a restaurant on the second floor, and they offer a great service where if you eat there the bathing fee (400 yen for adults) is free.
The hot spring bathtub is surprisingly spacious, allowing you to enjoy the plentiful gushing water to your heart's content.
For more information about the restaurant menu, please see the Gourmet section!
3. Carbonated springs, a cold hot spring that springs up in the backstreets (Obama Onsen)
Behind the Obama hot spring town is a maze of narrow alleys, and one of the ways to enjoy Obama is to walk around with excitement, wondering what is around the corner.
This carbonated spring is another unusual spot in a back alley. It looks like boiling water bubbling up, but it's cool to the touch.
Although you cannot drink the spring water or take a foot bath, it is a spot where you can experience the wonders of nature.
4. Hot Foot 105: A Footbath with a Spectacular View (Obama Onsen)
As you walk along the coastline, you can hear friendly conversations such as, "Oh, are you going home already?" and "What nice weather."
"Hot Foot 105" is a foot bath with a spectacular view of the ocean right in front of you.
Many people come with a shopping bag in hand, or young people enjoy chatting in the foot bath, making this a popular hot spring spot among locals where they can casually take a break!
Gourmet Spots
1. Meet Unzen Hayashi rice in "Ricky" (Unzen Onsen)
Over 100 years ago, Unzen Onsen was a popular destination for summer vacationers from overseas.
"Unzen Hayashi" is a local delicacy that inherited and evolved the taste of the "Western-style katsudon" that was all the rage at the time.
" Unzen Haikara Hayashi," created by the head chef of the famous Unzen Onsen inn "Unzen Fukudaya," features a sauce made with the delicious flavors of Nagasaki beef and Unzen brown sugar. It goes perfectly with rice cooked with Japanese seasoning!
"RICKY" is a bar lounge exclusively for guests staying at Yamateracce Bettei, but is a hidden gem that is also open to the general public during lunch hours.
The menu is available in English, Korean, and Chinese (traditional and simplified characters).
2. Specialty steamed food restaurant "Kaisen Ichiba Mushikama-ya" (Obama Onsen)
At Kaisen Obama Mushikama-ya, you can enjoy steamed dishes that make use of the high-temperature steam from Obama Onsen.
The salt in the chloride spring acts as a natural seasoning, bringing out the flavor of the ingredients to the fullest. In particular, the local specialty Mizuho oysters, available in February, are exquisite.
In addition to steamed dishes, there are also other dishes on the menu, such as seafood bowls (starting from 1,320 yen) and tempura (1,320 yen).
3. How about trying Obama onsen's specialty, champon, at Yoshicho?
Yoshicho in Obama Onsen is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy the specialty noodle dish, Obama Champon.
Although it is generally called champon, the taste varies depending on the region, but Obama champon is one of the "Three Great Champon of Japan" alongside Nagasaki and Amakusa champon.
This champon is characterized by its mellow soup made from pork bones and chicken carcasses with added seafood stock, and thick noodles.
Depending on the restaurant, they may add toppings such as shrimp with shells or eggs, and the soup flavors are all different, so it's fun to go around trying them all!
Stopover spots
1. Learn the story behind the design at Karimizuan (Obama Onsen)
In recent years, an increasing number of creators have been drawn to Obama Onsen's nature and peaceful lifestyle and are moving there. The owner of "Karimizuan" is one of them. While working as a designer, he also runs a shop and cafe.
The products on sale all have a story behind them, such as pieces by designer Kosei Shirotani, who was the owner's mentor and a pioneer of immigrants, and tableware developed in collaboration with students.
From the second floor you can enjoy a spectacular view out to sea, and you'll understand why so many people are attracted to this place.
2. "Aiakane Kobo" - Experience the colors of nature and the warmth of handicrafts (Obama Onsen)
"Aiakane kobo" is a small studio that exhibits and sells plant-dyed works.
The owner himself cultivates and processes the plants, and his works remind us of the warmth of hand-made items and the beauty of nature that mass-produced items cannot have.
They also focus on indigo, which has long been used as a medicinal herb in Japan, and sell it not only as a dye but also as a tea.
This is a restaurant that awakens the sense of living with nature in terms of both clothing and food.
3. Obama Shrine (Obama Onsen), dedicated to the god of hot springs
Obama Shrine is worshipped as the guardian deity of the region and the god of hot springs, and it is clear that the culture of healing the body in hot springs has existed in this area since ancient times.
On the ceiling of the worship hall is a painting of a dragon by an unknown artist, and legend has it that it was completed in one night.
Stay here! Obama Onsen's long-established inn "Iseya"
Iseya , a hot spring inn in Obama Onsen, is a long-established inn that was founded 350 years ago. Although it is the oldest inn in Nagasaki, it has been renovated in recent years to combine modern interiors and comfortable facilities. Its cozy atmosphere that combines tradition and convenience is perfect for long-term stays.
The high-temperature private hot spring water can also be enjoyed as a day spa (1,000 yen for adults).
What really impressed me about my stay there was the warm hospitality of the staff.
Of course, not all staff can speak foreign languages fluently, but their eagerness to communicate and sincere service will make you want to visit again and again.
Access Information
You can reach Unzen Onsen and Obama Onsen by car or bus from Nagasaki Airport.
From Tokyo/ Osaka to Nagasaki Airport
Tokyo(Haneda Airport) → NagasakiAirport：approx. 2 hours
Osaka(Itami/Kansai International Airport) → Nagasaki Airport： approx. 1 hour 20 minutes
Access from Nagasaki Airport
Bus: Nagasaki Airport → IsahayaStation (30 minutes) → Obama Onsen (50 minutes) → Unzen Onsen (25 minutes)
From Nagasaki Airport, go to Isahaya Station and change to a bus bound for Unzen. You can go to Unzen Onsen without changing buses.
Click here for the bus timetable from Nagasaki Airport to Isahaya Station.
Click here for the bus timetable from Isahaya Station to Obama Onsen.
Car: Nagasaki Airport → Obama Onsen (60 minutes) → Unzen Onsen (20 minutes)
There are few buses, so it is recommended to check the timetable in advance if you plan to use the bus!
National hot spring resorts are designated by the Minister of the Environment under the Hot Springs Act as healthy hot spring resorts where the benefits of hot spring use are expected to be sufficient. 79 hot spring resorts have been designated nationwide (as of October 2024). National hot spring resorts are selected based on the following criteria. 1. Conditions regarding the quality and volume of hot spring water (1) The source of the hot spring water used must be a therapeutic spring. (2) The hot spring water used must have an abundant volume of water. The standard volume of water flow must be 0.5 liters per minute or more per hot spring user. 2. Conditions regarding the environment of the hot spring resort (1) The hot spring is suitable as a resort from the perspective of the natural environment, townscape, history, climate, culture, etc. (2) A plan for the placement of doctors who can provide guidance on proper hot spring use and health management from a medical perspective, or a plan for the placement or training policy of personnel who can provide guidance on bathing methods, etc. in cooperation with the doctors, must be established. (3) Appropriate efforts will be made to protect hot spring resources, manage the hygiene of hot springs, promote public use of hot springs, and take into consideration the elderly and disabled, etc. (4) Enhanced efforts to prevent disasters.
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