As you say good bye, you can’t cease to wonder islands of Amakusa, and remember again and again. Since main islands are now connected with five bridges, they are no longer isolated. However, small islands peeking above the ocean, which is as placid as a lake, appear as they are comparing who is more tall. The course begins at the cross section of ocean and river where Chijyu Kannon deity, worshiped by local residents is enshrined. From among the fertile rice paddies which reaffirm to be of rich harvests, you will see the mountains approaching closer. After rest, although the slopes aren’t steep, the uphill walk can gradually level you out of breath. Reduce your pace a bit and continue walking, and before you realize, you’ll find yourself standing on mountaintop. The name ”Matsushima” refers to a landscape consisting of many scattered dancing like islands. This place is selected as one of the three most beautiful Matsushima in Japan. From Sengenmoridate, known for its beautiful gigantic rock formation, you can enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view. A 16 years old boy, ”Amakusa Shiro (1621-1638), who led the Amakusa and Shimabara rebellions, held a banquet in celebration of victory. Passing the playground in the woods, where adults would have more fun, and maneuvering through the gigantic rocks, you’ll walk through deep forest path with little sunlight, which connects to small fishing villages and reach the foot bath at the point of arrival. This course holds history and scenery along the way.
Course Details
Chiju Kanon Buddha → Chiju Kanon Buddha (1.7km) → Mountain Path Entrance (4.3km) → Mountain Path Entrance (5.5km) → Kumamoto Prefectural Amakusa Youth House (6.1km) → Mt Sengan Summit (7.3km) → Megalith (7.8km) → Matsushima Sightseeing Hotel Misakitei (9.3km) → Ryu-no-Ashiyu (11.1km)
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1.Big Island Rice Paddy
A beautiful and famous rice paddy field which is known for its early rice harvest. The field is 60,000 square meters and large enough to make you forget you’re on an island. The course path takes you along the river in which you can see many kinds of fish. A long long time ago this area was under the sea and so all the houses are built on the mountain slopes. -
2.Sengen Moridake
From the observatory atop Sengen Moridake you can see all the festivities that go on around the island, and the sea is sometimes said to look like a blue vinyl sheet. It is a quiet place to be and you can also view Amakusa’s five bridges. -
3.Mt Sengan
In 1637 during peasant revolts the young leader, 16 year old Amakusa Shiro, opened a banquet atop Mt. Sengan. A revolt triggered by the persecution of catholics in the area ended in Amakusa Shiro’s defeat. However, his mark remains all over the area. In 1935 the area was named so that it would easily be recongised for its history. Mt. Sengan is particularly beautiful in the spring. -
4.Ryu-no-Ashiyu
Take away your fatigue at the foot baths made in the image of dragons. From here you can see the five bridges of Amakusa.
Transportation to Starting Locations
Fukuoka Airport, Hakata Port → <Shinkansen> → Kumamoto Station → <Amakusa Express> Alight at Chiju Bus Stop
Aso Kumamoto Airport → <Airport Limousine> → Kumamoto Transportation Centre → <Amakusa Express> → Alight at Chiju Bus Stop
JR Kumamoto Station → <JR Amakusa Misumi Line> → JR Amakusa Misumi Station → <Route Bus> → Sun Pearl via Chiju Bus Stop
■Taxi
Matsushima Taxis/TEL：0969-56-1160
Amura Taxis/TEL：0969－56－0252
Food and Drink
Matsuchan
Address：Kami-Amakusa City, Shimabara-machi, Aitsu 7913-14
TEL：0969-56-2039
Here you can experience the flavoursome Amakusa Champon. There are also some other foods you can enjoy and in the evening the restaurant converts to a bar.
Champon 700 yen.
Matsushima Sightseeing Hotel Misakitei Restaurant
Address：Kami-Amakusa City, Shimabara-machi, Aitsu 4710-2
TEL：0969-56-1188
A hot plate restaurant that features high qulity beef steak. Other dishes include locally produced foods and the hot pot is also especially tasty.
Seafood Rice Bowl 1,470 yen
Seafood House Fukushin
住所：上天草市松島町合津６００３－１
TEL：0969-56-0172
Fukuda Seafood Restaurant
住所：上天草松島町合津4572-2
TEL：0969-56-2846
宿泊
Matsushima Sightseeing Hotel Misakitei
Address：Kami-Amakusa City, Shimabara-machi, Aitsu 4710
TEL：0969-56-1188
A hotel located two thirds into the Olle course. There are onsen hot springs to relieve fatigue and a restaurant serving hot plate foods and specialities of Amakusa.
1 Night & Breakfast: 6,300 yen. 1Night 2 Meals: 10,500 yen
http://www.misakitei.co.jp/
Hotel Shosenkaku Romankan
Address：Kami-Amakusa City, Shimabara-machi, Aitsu 6215-21
Different types of room are available as well as onsen hot springs.
1 Night & Breakfast: 6,300 yen. 1Night 2 Meals: 10,500 yen
http://www.romankan-s.com/
Kameya Hotel Hanabashi
Address：Kami-Amakusa City, Oyanomachinaka 4463-2
TEL：0964-59-0211
1 Night & Breakfast: 6,300 yen. 1Night 2 Meals: 10,500 yen
http://www.kameyahotel.co.jp/
Komatsu-ya Nagisakan
Address：Kami-Amakusa City, Oyanomachinaka 10044-3
TEL：0964-59-0111
1 Night & Breakfast: 6,300 yen. 1Night 2 Meals: 10,500 yen
http://komatuya-nagisakan.jp/
Ryotei Ainomisaki
Address：Kami-Amakusa City, Oyanomoachinaka, Yagyujima 5700-1
TEL：0964-59-0010
1 Night & Breakfast: 6,300 yen. 1Night 2 Meals: 10,500 yen
http://www.ainomisaki.co.jp/
Minshuku Seiryuso
Address：Kami-Amakusa City, Oyanomachijo 7101-1
TEL：0969-56-1004
1 Night & Breakfast: 4,200 yen. 1Night 2 Meals: 6,000 yen
http://www.seiryusou.jp/
Nakashima-so
住所：上天草市松島町合津６４６６
TEL：0969-56-0542
Ryokan Tenmatsu
Address：Kami-Amakusa City, Shimabara-machi, Aitsu 4343-3
TEL：0969-56-0119
1 Night & Breakfast: 5,400 yen. 1Night 2 Meals: 8,550 yen
http://amakusa-matsushima.jp/
Amakusa Nagisatei
Address：Kami-Amakusa City, Matsushima-machi, Amura 5650-2
TEL：0969-56-3232
1 Night & Breakfast: 7,500 yen. 1Night 2 Meals: 10,650 yen
http://amakusanagisatei.jp/
Gokyo-en
Address：Kami-Amakusa City, Shimabara-machi, Aitsu 6053-5
TEL：0969-56-1417
1 Night & Breakfast: 7,500 yen. 1Night 2 Meals: 10,650 yen
http://www.k.acn-tv.ne.jp/~gokyoen/
Nearby Attractions
Ainoamakusa Village
A retail spot to pick up souvenirs for the area. Many limited items related to Amakusa and its history can be bought here.Kami-Amakusa City, Oyanomachi, Noboritate 911
TEL 0964-56-5151
http://www.amakusamura.jp/
9:00~18:00, Take the bus bound for Kumamoto and alight at Oyanomachi Government Buildings before walking for 10 minutes.
A-Train
This train is a special sightseeing train connecting Kumamoto with Amakusa (Misumi). This train only runs on weekends and days off and a reservation is required.
1,840 yen (Kumamoto~Misumi)