Shimabara Carp Street Nagasaki is a direct result of there being fresh springs all over the city and unlimited fresh water supply available at all times. Many of the springs are the result of a series of eruptions from Mount Fugen, most notably the largest eruption in 1792 which dramatically changed the landscape and flow of these fresh water springs. Today, approximately 1,500 carp swim in the beautiful and well laid out natural spring channels which add elegance and mystic to the city.
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| Colourful Carp |
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| Crystal Clear Springwater |
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Swimming Carp
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| One of the channels |
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| Carp under the glass floor |
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| Great place to take photos |
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Great to see the carp swimming freely.
The first time I walked the streets of Shimabara, I nearly fell into one of the canals. Mostly out of surprise and shock of accidentally finding such a amazing place. The carp looked so fresh and the water is so clear that one just feels like jumping in and swimming with the fish, although this is more of a fantasy rather than a reality. |
Today the carp streams are kept for sightseeing and aesthetic reasons as well as the fact that they look so cool! However in the past and particularly during times of war and famine they were kept as an alternative food source. Although it can be said that Carp are not a particularly good eating fish, I guess when one is hungry one should not be too picky about their food source. Luckily for the carp, nowadays the channels are used only for sightseeing and asthetic purposes, so the fish should grow up big and strong and hopefully colorful to satisfy the hoards of tourists that come to see them.
Check out the Shimabara Carp Street on this map below:
Here is a video of the Shimabara Carp Street in Nagasaki Prefecture:
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