Amakusa offers tourist attractions such as Suwa Shrine, Yushima Island, and Tenjiku; sightseeing events such as the Ushibuka Haya Festival, Amakusa Gobashi Festival, and Ushibuka Akane Market; and local delicacies such as horse sashimi, octopus rice, and Taihei-en.
Amakusa, consisting of more than 20 islands, is a scenic area that forms part of Unzen-Amakusa National Park. The Amakusa Five Bridges, with their red bridges set in the blue sea, are one of the best driving spots in the prefecture, and are also known as the Amakusa Pearl Line.
Visitors can also enjoy the view of Japan's three largest pine islands while visiting sightseeing spots, cafes, restaurants, and hot springs. Amakusa is also known for the dolphins that come to its waters, and you can enjoy dolphin cruising and sunset cruising on a white cruiser.
Many people may think of Amakusa Shiro when they think of Amakusa, and at the Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall, visitors can learn about the history of Christianity and the Nanban culture of the time through easy-to-understand explanations using 3D technology.
There are also many Christian-related attractions such as the Amakusa Korejokan, which has a replica of the costume given to the Taisho Boys' Envoy by the Pope, the Amakusa Rosary Museum, which has a reproduction of a hidden room where prayers were offered, and Oe Tenshudo, a symbolic building in this area.
The Mikuri-nishi Port, with its stone masonry wharf and Western-style buildings from the Meiji era (1868-1912), is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property and is definitely worth a visit.
After a day of fun, take a break at "Spa Thalasso Amakusa" for a hot spring bath and thalassotherapy. The pack using seaweed paste from France is also very effective for beautiful skin. At the Amakusa Umakamon Market, you can enjoy a wide variety of Amakusa's famous dried fish and seaweed. Freshly baked bamboo rings shipped directly from the factory are also very popular.
Sea urchins grown in the rough seas of the Amakusa Sea are a red, sweet, and luxurious product, but at local restaurants, you can eat a lot of them at surprisingly reasonable prices. In addition, be sure to check out the local delicacies that can only be found here, such as tai-men (sea bream noodles) and Amakusa dog, which will delight your taste buds with the harmony of somen noodles and grilled natural sea bream.
You will be satisfied no matter what time of year you visit, but you can also go to the Amakusa Pearl Line Marathon in March, the Ushibuka Haya Festival in April, the Amakusa Five Bridges Festival in September, and many other events in the area.
Octopus rice, known as tako meshi in Japanese, is a traditional dish enjoyed in coastal areas of Kumamoto Prefecture. It is prepared by cooking rice together with octopus, allowing the rice to absorb the seafood's natural flavor and the savory seasonings. The octopus becomes tender and pleasantly chewy, while the rice develops a rich aroma from the cooking broth. Depending on the recipe, ingredie...»
Amakusa Champon is a regional version of champon noodle soup enjoyed in the Amakusa area of Kumamoto Prefecture. It is known for its generous toppings, which commonly include seafood, pork, and plenty of vegetables. The noodles are served in a flavorful soup, creating a hearty dish that reflects Amakusa's rich maritime food culture. Amakusa is surrounded by the sea and has long been blessed with ...»
Sea bream somen, known as tai somen in Japanese, is a traditional dish in which Japanese somen noodles are served with sea bream. It is enjoyed in parts of Kumamoto Prefecture, particularly in coastal communities where fresh fish has long been an important part of local food culture. Sea bream is a highly regarded fish in Japan and is often associated with celebrations and special occasions. Its ...»
Kumamoto Prefecture is blessed with rich fishing grounds, including the Ariake Sea and the Yatsushiro Sea. The prefecture's coastal communities have developed a varied seafood culture, making use of fish, shellfish, seaweed, and other marine products. Among the delicacies enjoyed in the region are sea urchin and karasumi, a traditional Japanese delicacy made from salted and dried mullet roe....»
Konoshiro is a small, oily fish found in the coastal waters around Japan. It is part of the herring family and is known for its distinctive flavor. In Kumamoto Prefecture, konoshiro is associated with the region's coastal fishing grounds, including the Ariake Sea, where fishing and seafood have long played an important role in local life....»
Horse mackerel, known as aji in Japanese, is a popular fish in Kumamoto Prefecture. The prefecture's surrounding waters provide a variety of seafood, and horse mackerel is enjoyed in homes and restaurants as part of the local food culture....»
Golden daggertooth pike conger, commonly known in Japanese as hamo, is a long-bodied marine fish used in traditional Japanese cuisine. It is especially valued for its delicate white flesh and is prepared using techniques that make its fine bones easier to eat. Hamo is associated with Japanese summer cuisine and is often served at seasonal celebrations and formal meals. The fish has a subtle flavo...»
Himegazami, known locally as watarigani, or swimming crab, is a popular seafood specialty of Kumamoto Prefecture, particularly the Amakusa area. Its fourth pair of legs is shaped like a fin, allowing it to swim through the water. The crab is caught in both the Ariake Sea and the Yatsushiro Sea, and its rich flavor becomes especially appealing from autumn onward....»
Amakusa Daio is a premium chicken breed from Kumamoto Prefecture, known for its large size, firm texture, and rich flavor. The breed was once highly prized, particularly for use in Hakata-style mizutaki, a Japanese chicken hot pot. It later became extinct, but was successfully revived after approximately half a century....»
Amakusa Black Beef is a beef specialty from the Amakusa region of Kumamoto Prefecture. Japanese Black cattle have been raised in the area for generations, and the region has developed a reputation for producing cattle valued for their meat quality and flavor....»
Amakusa Shiro Museum is a memorial museum located in Kami-Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture. In 2018, it changed its name from Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall to its current name. The museum introduces the life of Amakusa Shiro, the Shimabara Rebellion, the arrival and spread of Christianity in Japan, and the influence of European and other foreign cultures known in Japan at the time as *Namban cultu...»
Spa Thalasso Amakusa is a wellness and leisure complex in Kami-Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Its official name is Kami-Amakusa City Cultural Exchange Center Spa Thalasso Amakusa. The facility is especially known for its heated seawater pool and natural hot springs, offering visitors a place to relax and refresh themselves while enjoying the beautiful coastal environment. Taking advantage of ...»
Yushima is a small island in Kami-Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, located in the Ariake Sea between Ōyano Island and the Shimabara Peninsula. It was once an independent village known as Yushima Village in Amakusa District. Today, the island attracts visitors with its distinctive history, natural scenery, and peaceful island atmosphere. Although small in size, Yushima has a remarkable story. It...»
Kami-Amakusa City is located in the southwestern part of Kumamoto Prefecture, in the eastern section of the Amakusa Islands. Blessed with beautiful coastlines, numerous islands, a mild climate, and a rich historical heritage, the city offers a wide range of experiences for travelers. One of the area's greatest attractions is the spectacular scenery seen while crossing the Amakusa Five Bridges. Th...»
Tomioka Castle was a Japanese castle that once stood in Tomioka, Reihoku Town, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture, in the historic province of Higo. Built in the early Edo period (1603–1868), the castle played an important role in the history of the Amakusa region, including during the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637. The castle ruins have been restored and developed as a historical attraction. Th...»
Reihoku Town is located in the northwestern part of the Amakusa Islands in Kumamoto Prefecture. Situated at the northwestern tip of Amakusa Shimoshima Island, the town belongs to Amakusa District and is known for its beautiful natural scenery, historical landmarks, and distinctive local industries. From coastal landscapes and historic castle ruins to waterfalls and rare coastal plants, Reihoku of...»
Sakitsu Village is a historic fishing settlement in Sakitsu, Kawaura-machi, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Located beside the calm waters of Yokaku Bay, the village is known for its distinctive cultural landscape and the history of the Christians who secretly maintained their faith during the period when Christianity was prohibited in Japan. The village's most recognizable landmark is Sakitsu...»
Hondo Suwa Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Suwa-machi, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Revered as the principal guardian shrine of the Amakusa region, it has been an important center of local faith since the Kamakura period. The shrine is known for its connection with the Mongol invasions of Japan, its distinctive guardian lion-dog statues carrying their young, and the lively annu...»
Shimoda Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located on the western coast of Shimoshima Island in Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains and close to the beautiful coastline of the Amakusa-nada Sea, it is one of the oldest hot spring areas in the Amakusa Islands. The resort is known for its abundant natural hot spring water, peaceful atmosphere, beautiful sunsets, and fresh se...»
Gion Bridge is a historic stone bridge spanning the Machiyamaguchi River in Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, it is also one of the bridges selected for the Japan's 100 Great Bridges list. Unlike the many stone arch bridges found in Amakusa and other parts of Kumamoto, Gion Bridge has a distinctive stone beam-bridge structure, making it an es...»
Amakusa Christian Museum is a history museum located in Funeno-o-machi, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture. It introduces the history of Christianity in Amakusa, from the arrival of Christian missionaries and the influence of European culture to the Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion of 1637–1638 and the history of Christians who continued to practice their faith in secret after the rebellion. The museum...»
Ushibuka Haiya Bridge is an impressive bridge spanning Ushibuka Bay in Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Measuring 883 meters in length, it is the longest bridge in Kumamoto Prefecture. Its elegant design and beautiful coastal setting have made it a symbol of the Ushibuka area and a popular attraction for visitors. The bridge is located at Ushibuka Port in the former city of Ushibuka. Its roadwa...»
Myokenura is a scenic coastal area on the western shore of Shimoshima Island in the Amakusa Islands, Kumamoto Prefecture. Facing the Amakusa-nada Sea, it is renowned for its dramatic cliffs, unusual rock formations, sea caves, and clear blue waters. Myokenura was designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument in 1935. It is also part of Unzen-Amakusa National Park and is con...»
Goshoura Cretaceous Museum is a natural history museum on Goshoura Island in Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture. The museum focuses on dinosaurs, fossils, geological formations, and the natural history of the Cretaceous Period. It introduces the ancient world through fossil displays and opportunities to experience fossil collecting firsthand. Goshoura Island is especially important for its geologi...»
Amakusa City is located in the Amakusa region of southwestern Kumamoto Prefecture. It is the prefecture's third-largest city by population, after Kumamoto City and Yatsushiro City. Among municipalities located on remote islands in Japan, excluding Okinawa's main island, Amakusa City is known as the most populous. The city is blessed with beautiful coastlines, peaceful seas, mountains, and a warm ...»
The Five Bridges of Amakusa are a group of five bridges connecting the Uto Peninsula on the mainland of Kumamoto Prefecture with the Amakusa Islands. The route runs from Misumi in Uki City across Ōyano Island, Nagaurajima Island, Ikeshima Island, and Maeshima Island, before reaching Amakusa Kamishima Island. It opened on September 24, 1966, and is one of the most important transportation routes in...»
Amakusa Matsushima is the collective name for more than 20 islands of various sizes scattered between Ōyano Island and Amakusa Kamishima in Kumamoto Prefecture. The area is celebrated for its beautiful natural scenery, where green islands rise from the blue sea to create one of the most impressive coastal landscapes in western Japan. With its peaceful waters, intricate coastline, and picturesque ...»
Exciting Underwater Aquarium Sea Donuts is a marine aquarium located in Matsushima-machi, Kamiamakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Operated by Amakusa Pearl Center, it is one of the few aquariums in Japan housed inside a floating vessel. The unusual doughnut-shaped facility floats on the sea, offering visitors a distinctive opportunity to encounter marine life while surrounded by the waters of Amaku...»