Shimabara Peninsula boasts an abundance of resources that can attract foreign interest including natural heritage sites, historical assets including the Shimabara Rebellion monument and Christian historical sites, and lessons in coping with disasters learned from the Heisei eruption. It also has many facilities for introducing these resources to foreign visitors, as described below (the organizations which established these facilities are given in parentheses after the name of the facility). |
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Mt.Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall
This museum was opened in July 2002 on the disaster site to serve as the core facility for people to learn about the threat posed by and the lessons learned from the Heisei eruption. The exhibition area offers, for an admission fee, experiential exhibits which simulate the Heisei Eruption, pyroclastic flows and the Shimabara Taihen (Catastrophe), and illustrates peoples’ coexistence with the volcano. The museum also features a media library where visitors can obtain information on the eruption and other topics for free. This wealth of exhibits is designed to stimulate visitors’ interest in earth sciences. And because the museum is well-equipped with facilities such as general information counters where visitors can find out about tours and events taking place on the peninsula, as well as museum shops and restaurants, it serves as the central information center of the Geopark. |
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Mt.Unzen Visitor Center
The Unzen Visitor Center is located in the heart of the Unzen Spa district. The hall spotlights hot springs, one of Unzen’s charming features, and presents numerous exhibits on the geological system of hot springs and their linkage with the volcano. In addition to the exhibit hall, there are also campsites and nature discovery trails in the vicinity from which visitors can observe volcanic fumes. In all, the facility serves as a base for visitors to obtain information on, learn about, and enjoy geo-resources and the natural environment surrounding Unzen. |
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Heisei Shinzan Nature Center
This is the visitor center of the national park established to help visitors understand the volcano, its surrounding natural environmental, and the lives of the people of Unzen making use of the special characteristics of the area. From this center, visitors can observe Heisei Shinzan up close while viewing the scene of both recent and past volcanic activity of nearby Yakeyama and Mayuyama, which contain traces of past eruptions. |
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Unzen Suwanoike Visitor Center
This center enables visitors to get a close-up view of the Suwanoike Fault and presents exhibits of the flora and fauna of the Unzen Volcanic Area. It also features an astronomical observatory and regularly holds meetings for observing nature and constellations. In addition, the Suwanoike region includes the Unzen vacation village which offers a accommodation, campsites, nature discovery trails, and cycling paths. |
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