Information on Surrounding Area

Puratto, which is under the jurisdiction of Amakusa City Industry and Tourism Division and serves as the base for Amakusa Takarajima Tourism Association Amakusa Branch, is a popular source of tourist information and guidance for Amakusa.

It also serves as a bus stop for Shimoda Onsen Town, welcoming guests arriving by bus.
There is a footbath in front of the building, which can also be used as a waiting area.
We also have a parking lot, so customers who come by car can feel free to stop by and heal the fatigue of their travels.
,Please stop by.

There is a hot spring plaza next to the footbath, where various events are held as a place for local residents to interact.
We have fun working with our guests as well.

The footbath, which is one of the landmarks of Shimoda Onsen, is a relaxing place that many people visit not only in the town but also on Amakusa Island.
The natural hot spring source is naturally hot, but since it is an open-air bath, the temperature of the water is just right, allowing you to spend a relaxing time.
The warmth from your feet will slowly soothe your body and make you feel comfortable.
When you walk through the attached foot massage zone, you'll fall in love with the feeling, even though it may cause some slight pain.
This is a spot that everyone who visits Amakusa, not just those on Amakusa Island, should stop by.

During the Christmas season, the footbath pavilion is decorated with colorful illuminations, and many customers come to enjoy it.

【Origin of Shimoda Onsen】About 700 years ago(During Kemmu era)
One day, a white egret descended onto the river (Shimotsu Fukae River) and remained there for several days.
The villagers, who were suspicious, quietly approached and were surprised.
Hot springs were gushing out from the riverbed, and the white heron was healing its injured leg.
Legend has it that an injured white heron healed its legs in the hot springs, soared high into the sky, and returned to its flock.
Since then, this hot spring has been called "Shirasagi Onsen" because it was discovered by a white heron, and has continued to be loved by people for a long time.
The place where the hot springs were discovered is said to be where Shimoda Onsen Shrine currently stands.

It is enshrined to express our gratitude to Shimoda Onsen has a history of over 700 years.
Before the hot spring festival begins every year, the Suei Prayer Festival is held at this shrine.

Sakitsu Village, where traces of Christianity's history from the latent period to the revival period remain, is one of the constituent assets of the ``Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki and Amakusa Region.''
In 1888, about 15 years after the ban on Christianity was lifted, Sakitsu Church was completed beneath Sakitsu Suwa Shrine.
The current building was built in 1934 during the time of French missionary Father Father Halbout, and the interior of the stately Gothic church is covered in tatami mats, which is rare even in Japan.
It is a calm space with gentle light shining through the bright stained glass.
It is also known as the "Church of the Sea" because it is located near the calm waters of Yokaku Bay.
At the strong request of Father Barbu, the site on which the temple was built was Site of the Former Yoshida Village Headman’s Residence, where the "E-fumi" (trampling on pictures), a symbol of oppression, was practiced.
It is said that the current altar was placed in the place where strict picture stepping was performed during this period of prohibition.

Even during the Tokugawa Tokugawa Shogunate's ban on Christianity, the Christians of Amakusa continued to practice their faith in secret as "hidden Christians." However, with the arrival of the Meiji era, the prohibition notices were removed and Christianity began to spread once again.
The French priest, Father Garnier, visited this area in 1892 at the age of 32, and served as a missionary for 49 years until his death in 1941 at the age of 82. He was fluent in Amakusa dialect and was loved by the villagers, who called him "Pater."
The current Catholic church was completed in 1933 (1933) by the priest in cooperation with the faithful.
In 1907, Hakushu Kitahara and five others traveled on the so-called "Gosoku no Kutsu," with the main purpose of meeting "Mr. Pater," and they visited Catholic church and met Father Garnier.
Within the facility, there are statues of Father Garnier and Virgin Mary Statue of Lourdes, which remain symbols of Amakusa Christianity even today.

The Amakusa Rosary Museum tells the story of the lives, beliefs, and culture of the Hidden Christians in Amakusa.
Valuable relics such as Maria Kannon Sutra-Erasing Jar designated as an Important Cultural Property by the prefecture, as well as a reproduction of a "hidden room" made for secret worship, all tell the story of the faith of the people.
The video hall (3 multi-screens) introduces the climate of the town and shows the history of Amakusa's Christians, nature and scenic spots, and the daily lives of the people of Amakusa, along with prayers.
You can capture the strong religious spirit of the time.
Additionally, Amakusa Rosary Museum is home to the Amakusa City Amakusa Toy Museum, which displays a wide selection of local toys collected from all over the country.
Many nostalgic toys are also on display.

Located within Unzen Amakusa National Park, the blue of the sea, the white of the sand, and the green of the pine trees create an exquisite balance, and the area has long been known as a scenic spot of white sand and green pine trees, and has been designated as one of the "Kumamoto’s 100 Scenic Green Landscapes."
It is also named Shiratsuru Beach because the shape of the sand resembles the flapping shape of a white crane.
The crystal clear blue of the waters of Shiratsuru Beach and the beauty of the sunset over Amakusa Nada Nada Sea are breathtaking and symbolize the natural beauty of the west coast Amakusa.
It is one of Japan’s Top 100 Excellent Swimming Beaches, and is one of the few designated beaches in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Boasting outstanding transparency, you can enjoy a variety of sea leisure activities such as diving, surfing, surfing, and kayaking.
Sunset Cafe, which blends in with Shiratsuru Beach, is a popular food spot that is loved by many people not only on Amakusa Island.

It is a nationally designated scenic spot and natural monument.
It consists of two islands and a cape, and is intricately connected to Sea Cave.
From the south, there are a series of strange rock formations and caves such as Jusanbutsuzaki, Myoken Rock Rock, Naga Hae, Horai Island, Kikaigaura, Tsunobashi Bridge, Eboshi Iwa, Genbuzaki.
Edo Period, the surrounding area was known as "Ana no Kuchi" (the mouth of a hole), and there are records in old documents that when Ueda Family had important guests, they were shown around the area, which is a scenic spot in Amakusa.
Myokenura is known as a sunset spot, part of Sunset Line that includes Kikaigaura, Shimoda South Coast, Shiratsuru Beach, Mt. Arao, and Tsubaki Park, and is a place that attracts many photographers, both professional and amateur.
It is also perfect for sea leisure activities such as rock fishing, scuba diving, and camping, as well as kayaking, saunas, tent saunas, etc. It is also known as a modern sea playground.

This park is home to approximately 20,000 camellia trees, and during the peak season, the bright red camellias cover the mountain slopes in full bloom.
Within the park, there is a 20m tall "Akou tree" with countless roots spreading out from the huge rock known as "Kuraiwa Rock" and its large branches stretching out, creating a truly impressive sight.
It is called the ``Laputa of Amakusa'' because of its appearance that conveys the majesty of nature and vitality, and is attracting attention as a power spot.
It is also one of the most beautiful scenic spots in Japan, having been selected as Japan’s Top 100 Sunset Views.
The adjacent observation deck along the coast offers a panoramic view of Ogase and Kogase, making it a great location for photography.
There is a beach below the cliff that is known only to those in the know, and you can enjoy swimming in a private atmosphere.

Amakusa Sakitsu Village is located in Kawaura Town, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture. During the period when Christianity was prohibited, Buddhism, Shintoism, and Christianity coexisted in this village, and a form of faith unique to a fishing village was cultivated.
Sakitsu Suwa Shrine, which protects a secret faith, is said to have been founded in 1647 in prayer for bountiful catches and safety at sea.
During the era when Christianity was prohibited, Hidden Christians became parishioners of this shrine, secretly reciting orasho (prayers) when visiting the shrine.
It is a place that played an important role in preserving secret beliefs for a long time.
It is also the place where hidden Christians were designated to hand over their religious tools during Amakusa Kutsure in 1805.
In December 2018, Roadside Station Sakitsu was opened at the entrance to the village, and an information center for Sakitsu Village was also built there.

When you look at the sea from the coastline of Shimoda at dusk, you will see a majestic sunset dyed in bright red.
The sunset over the west coast Amakusa is very magical and very moving.
A five-minute drive from the center of Shimoda Onsen is a restaurant called Blue Garden, which has an attached deck and is a popular spot for photographers to view the sunset.
No matter how many times you watch the sunset, you will never get tired of it.
The annual sunset photo contest attracts many participants, both professionals and amateurs, each competing with their camera work.
In autumn, a sunset festival called "Sunset Line" is held on the west coast of Amakusa.

In August 1907, a group of people from Myojo Shinshisha, including Tekkan Yosano, Hakushu Kitahara, Mokutaro Kinoshita Mokutaro, Isamu Yoshii, and Hirano Banri Hirano, traveled to Kyushu On August 8th, they traveled from Mogi to Tomioka, where they stayed overnight. The next day, they continued walking about 32 kilometers along a steep mountain path to Oe, where they stayed overnight. On the 10th, they visited Father Garnier, the parish priest Oe Church, and were deeply impressed. They then spent the night in Ushibuka, finishing their trip to Amakusa.
It is said that this trip was the turning point in the movement to break the feudal system of Japanese literature and import liberal European literature.
After further investigation into the research and writings of the five men, it becomes clear that they were deeply influenced by the history and climate of Amakusa, including Hakushu's heretical sect, and it is clear that Amakusa was the center of the journey of the "Gosoku no Kutsu."
A monument with the names of the five people engraved on it will be erected here to honor them forever.』

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　October 21, 2001 Shimatsu Hamana