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Fly over a volcanic crater and see the majestic natural beauty of the Shimabara Peninsula with the Oruri Sky Flight Experience
UNZEN Destination Service
Nagasaki Prefecture’s Shimabara Peninsula is centered around Mt. Unzen, a massive and active volcano complex. In 1990, Mt. Unzen violently erupted, sending molten-hot stone and gas hurtling toward residential areas. Many were killed, and houses were buried. This was not the first time such a deadly eruption had occurred on the peninsula.
Yet despite the danger, people in Unzen have lived near the volcano for over 5,000 years. Even today, its presence shapes the lives and culture of its nearby residents, providing both benefits and dangers to the area. While it can bestow life to so many things, why do people still choose to live in a territory that can just as easily bring death?
Through our Oruri Sky Flight Experience, you'll have the chance to uncover the answer to that question. Listen to a guide explain the origin of the Shimabara Peninsula, including the twist and turns of its history, while soaring through the sky in a helicopter. Gain an oruri (Japanese flycatcher) bird’s eye view of the majestic natural beauty around Unzen while observing how people here live together with the volcano, and how it in turn serves as a great mentor of life to all its inhabitants.
How to get there
From Hakata Station, take the JR Limited Express Kamome to Isahaya Station (about 1 hour and 40 minutes), then board the Shimatetsu Bus for Unzen (about 1 hour and 20 minutes). A 10-minute walk from the Unzen bus stop will take you to Unzen Kanko Hotel.
Meeting spot: Unzen Kanko Hotel (if closed, other locations are available)
320 Unzen, Obama-cho, Unzen-shi, Nagasaki-ken
