A town that lives together with an active volcano.

Living with
Volcano

  • 1637

    The “Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion” is said to have resulted in the loss of some 37,000 lives.

  • 1792

    The “Shimabara-Kumamoto Disaster” was one of the largest volcanic disasters in the history of Japan. In 1792, a mountain collapse in Shimabara triggered a mega-tsunami hitting Kumamoto, claiming 15,000 lives.

  • 1990～1996

    The "Unzen Fugendake Eruption Disaster" lasted for about six years.

Shimabara-Amakusa Putsch (1868-1867)
Unzen-Fugendake Eruption Disaster

At key points in time, Shimabara has walked with "great changes". It has been able to revive itself after each difficulty because of the people who lived through those times powerfully.

Because Shimabara is a place that has embraced "change" brought about by an active volcano, you are sure to find a "new you". Why not embark on a journey that will bring colorful changes to your life?

  • Soil and talk.

    Soil：Our Partner in Dialogue

    Walking around the Shimabara Peninsula, the color of the soil changes from black to red to yellow. Because each has different characteristics, people have chosen and grown vegetables that suit the land. The wisdom of staying close to the earth given by Mt. Unzen has produced vegetables that can only be found here.

  • Living with water.

    Water：Our Way of Life

    Spring water flows throughout Shimabara City. It is closely related to the lives of the local people. This spring water is produced by underground water from the Mt. Unzen mountain range, which has been refined over many years through underground water veins.
    People grow a variety of "food" such as grains, vegetables, and fruits by receiving the bounty of abundant spring water.

  • To the sea, to be given.

    Sea：Our Source of Blessings

    The rain that falls on the mountains pours into the ocean, holding in plenty of minerals from the ground. The complex undersea topography created by the volcanoes has become an excellent hiding place for fish. Because there are rich mountains, there is a rich sea. The people of Shimabara have carefully shared this "seafood from the mountains" as a gift from nature.