Amakusa consists of over 120 islands connected by a lot of bridges.
You can enjoy delicious seafood, breathtaking ocean views and onsen hot springs.
Featuring a black and gold trim on a classic car body, this stylish train will head to Misumi Station, the gateway to Amakusa. While taking in the coastal scenery, sit back and enjoy the 38-minute ride.
Arrive at Misumi Station (1min. walk to Misumi Port Ferry Terminal)
After arriving at the Misumi Port Ferry Terminal (called "Umi no Pyramid"), you will transfer to the Amakusa Takarajima Line, a regular service connecting the Misumi Port Ferry Terminal and Matsushima (Maejima) Port in Amakusa City. Since this line operates in connection with the limited express A Train, boarding is smooth and speedy.
The Amakusa Takarajima Line arrives at Matsushima (Maejima) Port in the Maejima area of Amakusa City, a popular tourist resort. It is located next to the L'isola Terrace Amakusa complex, which offers everything from cafes with ocean views to local specialties and sundries, as well as the Amakusa Pearl Garden & Underwater Aquarium, Sea Donuts.
By walk (approx. 2min.)
While a variety of gourmet dishes can be enjoyed on the premises, let's have lunch today at Donburi Tei Amanoya, a restaurant in Amakusa Pearl Garden specializing in seafood and tempura rice bowls.
By walk （approx. 2 min.）
After lunch, head for Mio Camino Amakusa, a shopping complex near the ferry boarding area. You can rent a car at the Tourist Information Center in the facility. If vehicles are available they can be rented on the same day, but it is best to make reservations in advance.
By car (approx. 20min.)
Takabuto Mountain is 117 metro high mountain which is located in the eastern part of Matsushima-machi, where is famous tourist spot as well as Senganzan Mountain.This is one of the best breathtaking view spot, where to the east is Yatsushiro Sea, to the west is Ariake Sea and on a clear day you can see all the way to Aso. And this is the start point of so called Natural Sea View Course of Kyushu Alps, and literally you can enjoy the great view of the sea alongside the course. You can also enjoy not only the plant colony of Japanese camellia, Japanese Andromeda and Japanese boxwood, but also evergreen trees such as pine trees and oak trees along the course.
By car (approx. 1hour)
Mt.Kuratake, the highest mountain in Amakusa islands(gratitude 682m), have been worshiped as sacred mountain by people in Amakusa since ancient time. Kuratake Shrine on the top of Mt.Kuratake was built to pray for fisherman’s safety. You can overlook the calm sea of Yatsushiro and Ariake, and Goshoura islands, and feel the magnificent nature of Amakusa throughout your whole body.
By car (approx. 1hr 30min.)
Rejuvenate Your Body and Mind with the Evening Scenery of the Amakusa West Coast!
Shimoda Onsen is located in lower part of Amakusa Islands, which enables you to enjoy the full view of the East China Sea. It is located in a convenient area for tourists, where visitors can enjoy Sakitsu Village - the world heritage, and can easily visit Itsuwamachi where you can enjoy dolphin watching. The water temperature of the hot spring source is 51 degrees Celsius, and the temperature of water drops into 40-42 degrees Celsius when it pour into hot spring bath; therefore people can satisfyingly enjoy the natural hot springs without adding, heating or circulating water. And nature of spring contains double good effects on your healthy skin; which are “hydrogen carbonate spring” for detoxifying and “chloride spring” for moisturizing your skin. It is said that there was an injured white egret bathed in Shimoda Onsen 700 years ago and it healed its wounds; thus this onsen is well-known to people as good for the remedy for injuries, detoxification of the skin and protection for dry skin. After the tour in Amakusa, it’s time to relax in the hot spring for moisturized smooth healthy skin.
By car or by walk
The first day's last stop features one of Japan's most spectacular sights, the sunset over the west coast of Amakusa.
Dubbed the "Amakusa West Coast Sunset Line," the drive along Route 389 is dotted with many places that make ideal sunset viewing.
By car (approx. 12 min.)
The best place to photograph the giant elephant-shaped rock called Myokenura.
By car (approx. 20 min.)
The huge banyan tree at Nishihira Tsubaki Park, where about 20,000 camellias are planted, is called “Laputa of Amakusa” and is drawing attention as a spiritual place. The appearance growing its roots from a huge rock called “Kuraiwa” and stretching its branches widely is impressive.
By car (approx. 30 min.)
Facing the calm waters of Yokaku Bay, Sakitsu Village in Amakusa has a long Christian history beginning in 1569 when Luís de Almeida, a Portuguese missionary, brought the religion to the region. Due to a decree banning Christianity in Japan, the locals were forced to hide their faith for over 240 years. The village is considered one of the "Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region" and a World Cultural Heritage Site.
The original Sakitsu Church was built from wood in 1888 at the base of Sakitsusuwa Shrine. This was 15 years after the prohibition on Christianity was lifted.
The current Gothic-style church was rebuilt in 1934, during the the time of Father Halbout, a French monk.
The floors inside the church are made of tatami, which is unusual even in Japan. When the sunlight shines through the stained glass windows it creates a reverend and calming atmoshpere.
■Please Note
----------------------------------------------
The church may be closed to the public for some events.
The church is a place for everyone to come and pray. Please refrain from making excessive noise inside the building.
No photography is allowed
A reservation is necessary to visit the church
------------------------------------------------
By car (approx. 40 min.)
Mogushi Swimming Beach is famous in Japan as the location for NHK's historical drama, "Musashi MUSASHI". This is one of the most popular seaside resorts in all of Kumamoto.
By car (approx. 10 min.)
By car (approx. 4 min.)
Ushibuka Haiya Bridge, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, is 883m long bridge connecting Ushibuka port and Kaseura district.
It is designed to be harmonized with the natural scenery, features the wind shields resembling fish scales. Walking along the sidewalk on either side of the bridge is also recommended.
The bridge is lit up at night and is loved as the main sightseeing spot in Ushibuka.
By car (approx. 1hr 20 min.)
Once you return the rental car, it is time to bid farewell to Amakusa.
Take the Takarajima Line ferry and transfer to the Limited Express "A Train" bound for Kumamoto City.
★The Return Schedule
3:40 pm / Depart from Maejima Port on the Amakusa Takarajima Line
4:33 pm / Depart from Misumi Station on the Limited Express A Train
5:01 pm / Arrive at Kumamoto Station, go on to the next destination