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!

Click on the pictures below to enlarge:

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!

Click on the photos below to enlarge:


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: