Unzen Ropeway: Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture

The Unzen Ropeway in Nagasaki climbs the Myoken Peak of Mount Unzen on the Shimabara Peninsular. The Unzen Ropeway was opened in 1957, the area was transformed immediately and has developed into a major Attraction that many people visit over and over again throughout the seasons. It attracts visitors with its 360 degree views of the surrounding areas.  It's nature is also a big calling card for many visitors, especially the blooming azaleas in spring and the many autumn changing colors.

It  is open 365 days of the year and at certain times of the year during the peaks seasons of Spring and Autumn extensive waiting periods can be observed, sometimes up to 2 or 3 hours as people are desperate to see the spring cherry blossoms and Autumn foliage change.  However summer and winter are quite reasonable and it's more a matter of minutes and not hours needed at these times of the year.  This is the way I like it and on this particular day which was a weekday (weekends can be horrendous) in no time at all we were allowed a great standing position on the ropeway to get the sight and pictures that we desired.

This visit was my first to use the actual Ropeway as I usually prefer to climb the mountain but in order to get the photos I desired i took advantage of the fabulous service available to the public.  All I can say is that i wasn't disappointed with my decision, the views and its proximity to nature are second to none resulting in some of the best pictures I have taken.  Please check them out!

Check out The Unzen Ropeway in Nagasaki Prefecture below:

 

Click on the photos below to enlarge:

The colours are intense!

Spectacular views

Please check out this video of the Unzen Ropeway in all its glory!

Fugen Volcano Lookout: Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture

The Fugen Volcano Lookout is without a doubt the most unique view on the Shimabara Peninsular.  The 1990-1995 eruption of Fugen Volcano in Unzen Nagasaki is infamous for the 43 fatalities caused by the unexpectedly large pyroclastic flow on June 3rd 1991. The famous Volcano filmers and photographers Maurice and Katja Krafft and geologist Harry Glicken were among those lost during this tragic event, together with multiple journalists who had joined them in a zone into which entry was not prohibited but was recommended against by the authorities.

From a nature point of view the Volcano is an indescribable phenomenon that permeates and dominated the entire Shimabara Peninsular.  It is viewable from all angles and is best viewed from the lookout in Fukae Town, a view that is worth more than I can put a monetary value on.  On the other hand, Volcano's are serious matters and their ability to destroy and create mayhem is not to be taken lightly.

The 3 cities that circumnavigate the Volcano know this all too well and have held numerous meetings and International Conferences to learn how too live safely and securely as possible within this environment.  In 2008 when the International Conference for Living safely with Volcanoes was held in Shimabara, Nagasaki I was one of the English Teachers that provided English Lessons to the staff members and volunteers of this amazing event and I hope my efforts and those of everyone involved made a strong and positive impact on all the foreign visitors who came from all over to see our wonderful natural but inherently dangerous place we call home.

It is for this reason that we need to learn more about Volcano's and the impact we can have on saving lives when disaster strikes.

Come and check out the Fugen Volcano Lookout on a map:

 

Click on the pictures below to enlarge:

Amazing Scenery

Lookout point

1st National Park in Japan

Onokoba Elementary School: Shimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture

Onokoba Elementary School Nagasaki is one of the more haunting figures on the Shimabara Peninsular.  It is the wrecked site of the former school which was destroyed by a pyroclastic flow in 1990.  All that remains today of the interior is twisted metal and glass but the basic structure of the school is intact and was left as a reminder of the disaster.  A new Onokoba Elementary School has been built in its place albeit in a new location.

A small Museum was built next to the school and exhibits some pictures and explanations about the eruption.  It also has an observation deck with views of the volcano peak known as the Heisei Shinzan dome which was formed when the mountain exploded 20 years ago and  raised the height of the existing mountain by well over 100 metres in height.  The Museum although not huge is well represented with pictures and information about the conditions at the time and the consequences of the eruptions.  Not much English documentation but the sights and scenes do more than enough to convey the end results.

There is a eerie silence and disturbing feeling when walking around the site.  Its as though one can feel the power and destructive force of the volcano which is now dormant but at the time destroyed everything in its path.  A must do and must see when in the area.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed by what you will see here as positive comments galore have been garnered over the years regarding this location.

Come and see Onokoba Elementary School in Nagasaki on a map:

 

Please click on the photos below to enlarge:

The Volcano looms above

Completely destroyed

Solemn walk

Warped from the heat

Here are some videos of the Onokoba Elementary School Nagasaki for you to check out:

Mount Fugen: Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture

Mount Fugen in Nagasaki is the second highest peak of Unzen which dominates the Shimabara peninsula. Mount Fugen is well known for its volcanic activity that last peaked in a period from 1990 to 1995.  Even today, many reports about volcanoes  invariably mentions Unzen when it comes to massive pyroclastic flows.  The most severe occurred on June 13, 1991 when 34 people were killed in an area that was rated as safe.

On my Private Nagasaki Tours, and only when the weather deems so, I will drive to the lookout and give everyone the opportunity to see the Volcano and Lava Dome up close.  It's a tremendous and uplifting site for sure.

Click on the photos below to enlarge:

The Peak

Vegetation has grown

Views of Shimabara below

Currently, the two highest peaks of Unzen are Mount Fugen (1359m) and Heisei Shinzan (1483m). Until the last period of volcanic activity, Mount Fugen was the highest point in the Unzen complex. It lost this title with the growth of a new lava dome that has been named Heisei Shinzan.  At 1483 meters, the new peak outperforms Mount Fugen by more than 100 meters.

Mount Fugen makes for a fantastic access point from the Unzen Hot Spring town and can be well combined with a visit of Shimabara to the east as well as the town of Obama to the west for a great day out!  Combine all 3 places and your day will just about be perfect from every point of view.

Mount Fugen Nagasaki is one of my favorite places to visit, just to see the huge lava dome sends shivers up my spine no matter where I am standing on the Shimabara Peninsular.  Mount Fugen Nagasaki can be climbed, it can be viewed also in various way, one by walking up to the lookout which is only about 200 meters from the carpark but there are quite an amount of stairs to contend with and secondly from the ropeway which will take you right up to the peak and within the parameters of its heart and soul.  I am sure it will provide you with a similar moving experience where ever it may be viewed from.

Look at Mount Fugen in Nagasaki Prefecture on a map below:

 

1st National Park in Japan

Picturesque

Unzen Volcano: Nagasaki Prefecture

The Unzen Volcano in Nagasaki is very easy to access as one can drive straight up the mountain via the Nita Pass Road from where amazing views of the Mountain and Volcano can be obtained.  The lower and upper parts of the road have observation decks with views over the surrounding mountains and the Ariake Sea all the way to Kumamoto far below.  On very clear days, the panorama view is immense and views of Mount Aso hundreds of kilometers away in Kumamoto Prefecture in the middle of Kyushu are obtainable and impressive.

I really enjoy driving the Unzen Volcano Nagasaki road and can't tell you how many times I had taken this course but when that Volcano comes into view at various locations up the mountain I can't help but be overwhelmed by the sheer beauty, size and destructive powers that the Volcano possess.  As with most mountain passes, the road is very narrow, has plenty of twists and turns, cutbacks and hairpin turns.  

Absolutely fabulous for motor and driving enthusiasts like me but maybe not every ones cup of tea. However I can promise that on my private tours of Nagasaki I put my driving ambitions behind me and drive to the utmost care and safety of all my passengers.  Only when I am all by myself in the car is when my driving tends to get a little bit fast and aggressive.

Nature lovers will be enthralled by its size and of its different colors and flowers that bloom at various times of the year.  Others will be fascinated by its wrath of destruction that destroyed a town ship 20 years ago.  Whatever your poison the Volcano is absolutely a must visit place for all to inspect and ponder!

Well worth a visit or 2 or 3 .........

Come and check out the Unzen Volcano in Nagasaki on a map!

Click on the pictures below to enlarge:

The volcano scene

Spectacular views

The summit

Here is a video of the Unzen Volcano Nagasaki taken from the lookout point on the Nita Pass road for your viewing pleasure:

Volcano Damaged Houses: Shimabara City Nagasaki Prefecture

The Damaged Houses were a direct result of the Unzen volcano explosion and there has been several major eruptions in its history.  The volcano erupted most recently from 1990 to 1995, sending pyroclastic flows (superheated clouds of volcanic gas and ash) down toward the towns below. While most people were safely evacuated, 43 journalists, scientists and their taxi drivers were killed. The eruptions also destroyed buildings on the outskirts of Shimabara City.

Much of the volcano's destruction was due to large mudflows of volcanic ash, which flowed down the mountainside burying several homes and buildings that lay in their path.   These houses  are preserved in their original state and protected under a dome.  It is a surreal feeling if not quite eery sight to see these houses in their present state whereby once they were part of a thriving community with food smell wafting from the kitchens and sounds of children running around outside.  However it is important to know and respect the natural disasters that lay waiting for us

The Damaged Houses are a great way to see and feel the destructive forces of nature in play without being in its direct path.

Have a look at the Volcano Damaged Houses on the map below:

 

Click on the photos to enlarge:

Lots of info in English

Unbelievable scenes

Preserved forever as is

Completely covered in ash

Great message

Taking a wander

Solar hot water from yesteryear

Complete destruction

Destroyed beyond repair

Always an interesting photo stop

Please click on the video below to see more about the Volcano Damaged Houses