Unzen is the name of a region located in the central mountainous area of the Shimabara Peninsula in the southeast part of Nagasaki Prefecture. When it comes to the famous sights of Unzen, it would have to be the "Jigoku Meguri" (Hell Tour).
Experience the Jigoku Meguri and pay attention to the "historical aspect," which is the origin and foundation of this place, the "Unzen Mountain Onsen."

★ Since ancient times, Unzen Mountain Onsen has been a sacred mountain for soul worship, bountiful harvests, and praying for volcanic eruption control. The Unzen area was surrounded by a barrier that prohibited women, and it was managed and supervised by the Manmyoji Ichi-jou-in temple.

★ The "Unzen Jigoku" is a concept in Buddhism that views the desolate landscape (rocky terrain, high-temperature water vapor containing sulfur compounds that emit a strong odor due to magma and volcanic activity, and hot springs that erupt with noise) as hell and considers it the "perfect place to teach people about the ideology (those who commit evil deeds in their lifetime will fall into hell) and salvation." Unzen Jigoku became known throughout Japan as a sacred mountain and a mecca for Shugendo, and it prospered.

About This Guide

This guide introduces the tourist spots of Unzen and the "history and nature" of Jigoku Meguri. Starting from the Unzen Oyamano Joho-kan information center, you will take a walk along the route of "Jigoku Trail - Onsen Shrine - Manmyoji - Unzen Oyamano Joho-kan" as a tourist hub.
It takes about 50 minutes on foot, but please take your time and feel the breath of Unzen's history, nature, and land. Well then, let's go on the Jigoku Meguri.