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: