Hara Castle Ruins: Minamishimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture

The Hara Castle Ruins on the Shimabara Peninsular in Nagasaki Prefecture that stands today is just a small reminder of the Shimabara Rebellion.   It was an uprising on the Shimabara Peninsular in Nagasaki from 1637–1638 during the Edo Period.  It largely involved peasants, most of them being Catholic Christians.

It was one of only a handful of instances of serious unrest during the relatively peaceful period of the Tokugawa Shogunate's rule.  The construction of a new Castle in Shimabara City caused taxes to be drastically raised, which provoked anger from local peasants and the lord less samurai of the time. Religious persecution against the local Christians exacerbated the discontent, which turned into open revolt in 1637.  The Tokugawa Shogunate sent a force of over 125 000 troops to suppress the rebellion, and after a lengthy siege against the 37 000 rebels at Hara Castle, defeated them.

In the wake of the rebellion, the rebel leader Amakusa Shiro was beheaded and persecution of Christianity became strictly enforced. Japan's national exclusion policy was tightened and formal persecution of Christianity continued until the 1850's.

With all this knowledge and still many visual clues available today, it is quite surreal and at times a somber feeling to stroll around the ruins of the Castle and try and visualize all that anger and hatred of opposition forces coming together in death and bloodshed and in many ways a massacre of ordinary people rebellion against injustice.  The site is widely visited by many people today and is a reminder of how Christianity flourished in Japan all those years ago.

A compulsory visit by anyone interested in Christian History in Japan or any History Buff.

Come and checkout the Hara Castle Ruins in Nagasaki here on a map:

 

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The outer walls still remain

Christian Symbols

Fight over Christianity

Amakusa Shiro, the Rebellions leader

The remains of the grounds

The site of the Christian Rebellion

Please click on this video to see more about Hara Castle:

 

Confucius Shrine: Nagasaki City

Nagasaki`s Confucius Shrine is said to be the world's only Confucius Shrine built by Chinese people outside of China.  Even today the land on which it stands is Chinese Territory and the land rights controlled by the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.

First built in 1893 by Chinese residents of Nagasaki with the support of the Qing Dynasty Government, Nagasaki `s Confucius Shrine was designed to serve as a place of worship and learning for the Chinese community and housed a Confucian sanctuary and primary school.  The buildings were severely damaged by the atomic bomb explosion on August 9, 1945 and was not restored.  It was finally opened to the public in September 1967 and  was extensively renovated in 1982 and remains the same till the present day.

It is a joy and exciting process to walk around the beautifully presented gardens and to graze intensely at the architecture and statues.  The attention to detail is amazing and one can see that a lot of time and effort was put in to the design and final outcome to look as authentic as possible.  One feels like they have stepped out of Japan and back into the realm of China such is the contrast to traditional Japanese buildings and in particular to Japanese Shinto Shrines.

Well worth a visit even if you are not a fan of Chinese History and artifacts.  The Confucius Shrine is located very close to the International Port Terminal so it isn't too far to complete as a walking tour around the area, even if you only have an hour or two to spare it is well worth the effort .

Check out Nagasaki `s Confucius Shrine on a map here!

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Koi Ponds

Dragons

Add caption

Chinese Statues

Open Courtyard

Main coridoor

Chinese

Attractive artwork

Confucius Pray Altar

Colorful ceilings

The entrance

Unique Design

Please check out the videos of the Nagasaki Confucius Shrine here:

Sunsets in Nagasaki and Fukuoka Prefecture

Both Nagasaki and Fukuoka are blessed with natural beauty and surrounded nearly completely with coastline, so it is not often that a spectacular sunset cannot be seen on a regular occasion.  Luckily on one of my scenic drives I had my camera at the ready to shoot these amazing sunsets.   Hard to resist having a second look!

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The contrasts are amazing!!

Very pretty hues

Kanahama Fault Geopark, Nagasaki Prefecture

The Kanahama Fault is not the main fault on the Shimabara Peninsular, situated on the south east coast of Nagasaki Prefecture.  There are many faults located on the Peninsular, the main fault is the Chijiwa fault which subsides in the north whilst the Kanahama Fault subsided in the south and the trench  between the two faults is called the Unzen Trough Fault.  The Kanahama Fault with its throw of 150~200m shows the sedimentary layers from the old Unzen Volcano from approx 300 000 to 500 000 years ago.

Looking up the valley from the seaside you can see the deposits from the old Unzen Volcano on the right (south side) and the deposits from a midterm volcano  (approx. 150,000 to 300,000 years ago) on the left (north side). As the Unzen Trough Fault kept subsiding through volcanic eruptions, the deposits from the midterm volcano could not reach beyond the south of the Kanahama Fault.

It's amazing to see the effects of events that happened hundreds of thousands of years ago and how they still exist and create a huge impact today.  I used to enjoy the scenery and drive endlessly around the Peninsular but today with the knowledge I have obtained with the Geopark materials that are available I am able to enjoy in more detail the amazing places that are still within a stones throw away.  Please let me know if you would like more information on Nagasaki Geopark in English and I can help you obtain them.

Check out the Kanahama Fault Nagasaki Geopark on a map!

Here is a video of the Kanahama Fault Nagasaki Geopark:

Shimabara Peninsular: Nagasaki Prefecture

The Shimabara Peninsular in Nagasaki is a popular Hot Spring and hiking destination that lies to the east of Nagasaki City.  Formed by the volcanic eruptions of Mount Unzen at its center, Shimabara Peninsular was the site of several deadly volcanic eruptions, including recent eruptions in the early 1990's.

Today the volcano is dormant but its byproduct which we all love and need, piping hot spring water which we use for bathing and other activities such as steaming food and recently with the need for Japan to recycle and find a cleaner and less dangerous energy source (that being Nuclear Reactors) communities and industry are using the steam from the Hot Springs to produce electricity for everyone to use in order to make themselves self sufficient and reduce their carbon print on Mother Nature.

The Shimabara Peninsular is also known for the Shimabara Rebellion, a significant peasant uprising during the Edo Period in the 15th Century that eventually cost the life of 37 000 people of whom many were local Christians and resulted in foreigners being banned from Japan for over 200 years.  It was this incident that changed Christianity in Japan forever and it has never rebounded from its glory days of the 15th and 16th century whereby Christians were here there and everywhere.

I see the Shimabara Peninsular as a wonderful scenic spot with magnificent views all over the entire circumference.  In my point of view a picture is worth a thousand words and these pictures below will show you why I am in awe of this place and all the great things associated with living and working on the Shimabara Peninsular.

Check out the Shimabara Peninsular in Nagasaki on a map!

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Have a look of the Shimabara Peninsular Nagasaki taken from a mountain top and showing the Panorama that stops everyone in their tracks:




Check out this video of the Shimabara Peninsular taken from another lookout point:

Fuchi Shrine: Nagasaki City

Fuchi Shrine in Nagasaki is located at the base of Mount Hoju and has the distinction of being the starting point for the Nagasaki Ropeway that goes up to Mount Inasayama.  The Shrine itself  is worth a visit as it is tucked away on a side of a hill and represents a strong connection to nature.  It is the first time that I have seen individual Shinto blessing boxes that can be chosen for worship and this was interesting to see.

The spring water for cleansing and purifying ones mouth and hands upon arrival at the venue was coming out of the Dragon's mouth which is another first for me and considering the amount of shrines that i have been too in Japan, this is a unique scene, that must be noted.

My visit to Fuchi Shrine came from a friends recommendation and I must say I was a little bit doubtful at first but this soon disappeared as I arrived at the car park.  The attention to detail was obvious and i guess seeing 3 or 4 workers cleaning and preening the grounds was obviously the reason why the place was immaculate.  It was the little differences that made this place standout in my mind and I hope that I can take this concept and make it a regular part of my business and personal life.  The small differences can really highlight a certain aspect and make it truly wonderful.

I will absolutely come back again and view during a different season.

Come and check out Fuchi Shrine in Nagasaki on a map!

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Individual Prayer boxes
The springwater for cleansing
The Ropeway starting location
There she goes, all the way to the top!


Check out the video of Fuchi Shrine Nagasaki below:

Here is a video of the Nagasaki Ropeway heading up to Mount Inasayama:

Chijiwa Fault Geopark: Nagasaki Prefecture

Chijiwa Fault is one of the more interesting Geopark attractions in Shimabara, Nagasaki, Japan.

The Nagasaki Geopark consists of the Unzen Volcanic Area and covers the entire area of the Shimabara Peninsula in Nagasaki Prefecture.  There are three cities in this Geopark, Shimabara, Unzen and Minami Shimabara City and about 150,000 people live in the Geopark.  One of the more interesting area of the Unzen Geopark is the Chijiwa Fault as it is the largest active fault on the Peninsula.

This fault was formed by north and south tearing of the peninsula's basement.  The maximum displacement, accumulated  over 300,000 years, reaches 450 m.  Today the displacement occurs at a rate of 1.5 mm/y.

The Chijiwa Fault Geopark is a beauty of nature and amazing to look at from all angles.  I took these photos from the Obama side along a coastal road but I am told that the best place to view this unique phenom is from the House of Nature located at the top of a peak bisecting Obama and Chijiwa.  I will attempt to add these pictures to my collection someday as my trials and tribulations into the area that i have not yet mastered have sparked a fire deep inside me to learn more and find out specific details about this amazing place I live in called the Shimabara Peninsular.

Check out the Chijiwa Fault Geopark for yourself on a map!

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Chijiwa Beach below

The view across the bay

Chijiwa Fault

View from the port

Here is a video showing the Chijiwa Fault Nagasaki Geopark:

Converted Railway Line: Nagasaki Prefecture

The Converted Railway Line in Nagasaki is a coastal road now called route 201 and is located between the towns of Obama and Chijiwa on the Eastern side of the Shimabara Peninsular, Nagasaki Prefecture.   The road is just beautiful and is one of the most relaxing drives you will ever encounter (although I prefer to cycle)  it is a winding meandering road and at each turn in the road leads to another unbelievable lookout of the Tachibana Bay far below.

The abandoned railway line has been transformed into a road or may I say a small version of a road as 2 vehicles are barely able to pass each other without pulling over to the side of the road.  The 3 tunnels that link the road are in themselves a unique feature of the converted Railway Line as they really only allow 1 large car or 2 medium sized cars to pass each other.  I can't tell you how many times I have seen cars reversing out of the tunnel in order for another car already inside the tunnel to pass safely.

However, I believe this is a small price to pay to see such a beautiful and amazing view of the Tachibana Bay and the feeling of traveling along a old country style road is just exhilarating and worth the occasional hassle of stopping halfway through the tunnel and reversing backwards to the start.

Check out the Converted Railway line in Nagasaki on a map!

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Pretty as a picture

Now a beautiful drive/ cycle course

Overhanging foliage

Below are a couple of video highlighting the scenic beauty of the Converted Railway Line Nagasaki:

Omura Park Shrine: Nagasaki Prefecture

The Omura Park Shrine in Nagasaki was founded in 587 but the present main building of the shrine dates to 1705. The Botansugi (Japanese Cedar Tree) behind the main building is considered sacred and said to be 1000 years old.  It has been designated as a national natural monuments.  According to legend, the tree top is said to shine at times of emergencies, thus because of this the tree is also called an Eternal flame.

The entrance to the Shrine is simple yet with the Shrine built on the ruins of Omura Castle it has a strong historical connection .  Also, there is something about walking through many brightly coloured red torii (gate entrances) that puts you in a trance like state.  For me there is something magical, as if I have stepped back in time to the 17th or 18th century.

Because Omura Park is built on the ruins of Omura Castle the walking paths are numerous and extensive.  I could walk for hours and hours and still not be able to locate every area of the park.  At certain times of the year Omura Shrine is inundated with tourists and visitors, the Spring Cherry Blossoms and June Irises are not to be missed.

Well worth a look!

Check out Omura Park Shrine Nagasaki on a map!

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Very scenic indeed

Crowds galore

Full Bloom

Favorite pastime

A very popular place

Great place for a picnic

I can still see you!

Hiding

Futagoiwa Geopark: Nagasaki Prefecture

Futagoiwa Geopark is a place that you must check out for yourself otherwise you may be disappointed .  This unique rock, called Futagoiwa in Japanese (Twin Rock in English) was made by mudflow sediment from many hundreds and thousands of years ago.  Over the years the Twin Rock has been eroded by waves.  It contains large quantities of Andesite from volcanic activity on the Kunisaki Peninsula 1.5 million years ago and although there were other similar rock towers once, they have been broken by sea erosion and the passage of time and slowly diminished bit by bit.

However, Futagoiwa Geopark still today stands proudly on the west side of the Tachibana Bay between Unzen and Minamishimabara Cities and is a great example of geology explaining the history of the area from many years ago.  A huge plus for anyone who has an interest in geology or just a nature lover who needs their regular nature fix!

I drive this stretch of road many times within the week and it is always such a striking feature that makes so want to pull over and further inspect every nook and cranny that mother nature has been able to impact on this structure over time.  It will be a sad day when the rock no longer exists so I urge everyone to visit before it is lost forever!

Check out Futagoiwa Geopark in Nagasaki on a map!

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The last 2 rocks standing

The main rock

Please check out the video below of the Futogoiwa Geopark, Nagasaki: