Experience the charms of Unzen-Amakusa National Park [Amakusa Area Unzen Amakusa National Park (Amakusa area)! We are also releasing a promotional movie that allows you to watch a digest of each content. Promotional movies that allow you to watch a digest of each content are also released simultaneously!

The Nature Conservation Division, Environment Bureau, Environment and Life Department, Kumamoto Prefecture has planned nine sightseeing products in four areas in Unzen-Amakusa National Park (Amakusa region) and started accepting applications for sales on the dedicated web page "Kumamotometourisha" operated by KASSE JAPAN Co. (Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City).

Giant acorus tree at Nishidaira Camellia Park in Tsubaki no Mori (Camellia japonica forest)

In March 2022, as part of the project to fully enjoy the rich and beautiful natural scenery and Christian culture of Unzen-Amakusa National Park (Amakusa area), Kumamoto Prefecture formulated a policy to promote the national park and implemented the creation of experience programs and guide training utilizing the natural and cultural resources of this national park. In the current fiscal year, we have continued to create new programs and train new guides. In the current fiscal year, we are working to increase the number of visitors and the time they stay in the park by selling and refining the experience programs developed so far, and by communicating the attractions of the park at the same time.

Promotional videos to widely disseminate the appeal of each content both domestically and internationally are distributed mainly through social networking services such as YouTube.

In addition, web articles based on hands-on coverage of each content are now being distributed online nationwide through Higo Journal, a local information site in Kumamoto operated by Kawachi Kenkyujo Co.

Amakusa Town, Amakusa City

PV: https://youtu.be/ddF7Dfcbbdg

Higo Journal article: https://higojournal.com/archives/unzenamakusa-nishibira.html

1. "Petit Retreat in the Sea-nurturing Camellia Forest: Walking in the Primeval Forest and Camellia Oil Pressing Experience" / 5,500 yen

The "Camellia Forest" is located in Nishidaira village near the Amakusa West Coast Sunset Line.

Walk with a guide through the virgin forest that the locals love so much.

The area is recognized as one of the best 100 sunsets in Japan, and is a scenic spot overlooking "Oogase" and "Kogase," a group of reefs carved by the rough waves of the Amakusa Sea, and on a fine day, the Nomoizaki Peninsula (Nagasaki Prefecture) and the Koshikijima Islands (Kagoshima Prefecture).

About 20,000 camellia trees grow wild on the 7-hectare slope on the cliff of the East China Sea, and wild birds chirp from December to March, when the flowers are at their best.

The aconite tree that embraces a giant rock is called the "Laputa tree" and is attracting a lot of attention.

After the walk, visit the oil mill and enjoy the experience of freshly pressed camellia oil.

This is a petit retreat with tea time.

Nishidaira Camellia Park (Petit Retreat Experience)

Lingbuk-cho, Amakusa-gun

PV: https://youtu.be/hEXIJdj9nPA

Higo Journal article: https://higojournal.com/archives/unzenamakusa-reihoku.html

2. "Lingboku Town Walk around the chalk landscape of Amakusa Pottery Stone and Tomioka Castle" (2,000 yen)

Lingboku Town is one of the world's leading ceramic stone production areas. The guide will take you to the spit of Tomioka, which was formed by sand and gravel deposited over 10,000 years by the coastal current moving northward along the west coast of Amakusa, from the Tomioka Castle ruins.

You can see Shiraiwazaki Coast, a fantastic view of the chalk coastline filled with Amakusa ceramic rocks and the azure Amakusa Sea.

Shiraiwazaki Coast

3. "Hand-built pottery making experience in Lingboku, the town of Amakusa pottery stones, with a gift of Unshu-kiln pottery" / 3,400 yen

You can experience hand-bi neri (hand-forming) ceramics using "white clay" containing white pottery stone at a local kiln, Unshu Kiln, which is only available in Lingboku Town, one of the world's leading pottery stone production areas.

Goshoura-cho, Amakusa City

PV: https://youtu.be/slS3erufvpI

Higo Journal article: https://higojournal.com/archives/unzenamakusa-gosyoura.html

4. "How many islands are there in Goshoura? Island Tour Charter Cruising" / 40,000 yen

Board a marine cab from Goshoura Port. You will be guided through the history and nature of the islands of Goshoura as you cruise around the islands.

Two islands are landed on during the cruise. You will be guided to Yokoura Island, where many Ebisu statues are enshrined, and to Kuroshima, an uninhabited island, where you will have a tea time.

5. "Dinosaur Island Fossil Collecting Charter Cruising" / 33,000 yen

A guide will take you on a cruise around Gosonoura Island, known as "Dinosaur Island," where numerous fossils were collected from the strata of the Mesozoic Era, such as the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. You will be able to look up at the "Wall of the Cretaceous Period," where you can see dynamic strata that are normally inaccessible, and go ashore to the fossil site for an excavation experience. Visitors can take home the fossils they have collected as souvenirs.

The beautiful archipelago of 18 islands of various sizes in the azure Shiranui Sea near Goshoura Island reminds one of the Aegean Sea.

Goshoura Island Fossil Excavation Experience

6. "Denmabune Oar Rowing Experience" (2,000-3,000 yen)

A decade ago, small oar-powered boats called "tenmabune" could be seen everywhere on Goshoura. Tenmabune were an indispensable part of island life and a plaything for children. Visitors will board the boat and experience oar-paddling while touring the quiet cove.

A plan that includes a countryside lunch made from ingredients harvested on the island is also available.

Kuradake Town, Amakusa City

PV: https://youtu.be/V9gltLaaRho

Higo Journal article: https://higojournal.com/archives/unzenamakusa-tanasoko.html

7. "A leisurely stroll around "Kuratake Tanaboko, a town of stone walls" and a lunch of wild grass dishes at "Made Salon"" / 4,000 yen

A walk with a local guide through the Tanazoko district of Kuratake Town, where the local culture of the past remains strong!

Lunch will be served at a "maid salon" where you can try your hand at making local cuisine and enjoy a wild plant lunch.

What is "Maid Salon"?...Making a souvenir of the underworld (a place for creating happy memories and passing on traditions) with ingredients (wild plant dishes) from "Made in Amakusa". We will provide hospitality by those who are close to the underworld.

8. "Amakusa's highest mountain range 'Kuradake & Yatodake' Light Trekking" / 3,500 yen

The guide who knows the local mountains well will lead you to the two highest peaks in Amakusa (682m above sea level), Kuratodake and Yatodake, which are the highest peaks in Amakusa.

Kuratake Shrine and Konpira Shrine are located at the top of each peak, and a 360-degree panoramic view of the Amakusa Islands from the Shimabara Peninsula in the north to the Goshoura Islands in the south can be enjoyed. A gentle stroll along the Kyushu Nature Trail will take you to Yatodake.

The trekking is a short course that begins with a car ride to the midpoint of Kuratake, so beginners and the elderly can participate with ease.

The Yatsushiro Sea and the islands of Goshoura viewed from Kuratake Shrine at the top of Mt.

9. "'Kuratake Tanaboko, Town of Stone Walls' Footpath" / 2,500 yen

A footpath in the Tanazoko district of Kuratake Town, where traditional local culture remains strong!

Walk with a local guide through a group of hand-piled stone walls built to protect against the north wind in winter and a tunnel called "koguri" made of stones for agricultural waterways, which is a rare sight in Japan.

Course A takes you to the mountain side where the ruins of Tanazoko Castle are located, while Course B takes you along the coast with a view of the ocean.

Stonewalls in Tanazoko District, Kuratake Town, Amakusa City