Unzen Onsen

Unzen Onsen is a volcanic hot spring field located in Nagasaki Prefecture on the Shimabara Peninsula of Kyushu, Japan. It sits high in the mountains, surrounded by volcanic peaks. The resort town is renowned for its high-altitude climate and sulfurous hot springs.

"Unzen Jigoku" (Unzen Hell) refers to the spectacular, steaming sulfur vents and boiling ponds that dominate the landscape of Unzen Onsen. Because the water is too hot to bathe in, visitors walk along paved trails to observe the bubbling mud and intense steam. The intense smell of sulfur permeates the entire area.

Yes, the Unzen area was designated as part of Unzen-Amakusa National Park in 1934, making it one of Japan's very first national parks. The government recognized the geological importance and natural beauty of the volcanic field. The area has been protected and developed for tourism ever since.

Unzen Onsen has a dark history regarding the persecution of Hidden Christians during the Edo period. In the 17th century, local lords used the boiling waters of the "Unzen Hell" as a method of torture and execution to force Christians to renounce their faith. Today, a monument stands in the area to honor the victims.