Information on Surrounding Area

``Plat'', which is under the jurisdiction of the Amakusa City Industry and Tourism Division and serves as the base of the Amakusa Takarajima Tourism Association's Amakusa branch, is familiar to visitors as a source of tourist information and information about Amakusa.

It also serves as a bus stop for Shimoda Onsen Town, and welcomes customers 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(Around the Kenmu era)
One day, a white heron flew down to the river (Shimotsu Fukaegawa) and did not leave the spot 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 spring was discovered is said to be where the current Shimoda Onsen Shrine is built.

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 under Sakitsu Suwa Shrine.
The current building was built in 1934 during the time of the French missionary Father Halb, and the interior of the church is built in a stately Gothic style with tatami flooring, which is rare in Japan.
It is a calm space with gentle light shining through the bright stained glass.
It is also called the ``Church of the Sea'' because it is located next to the calm waters of Yangkaku Bay.
At Father Barbu's strong wishes, the site for the construction was chosen to be the site of the Yoshida Shoya government house, where the treading, a symbol of oppression, was performed.
It is said that the current altar was placed in the place where strict picture stepping was performed during this period of prohibition.

Amakusa Christians continued to practice their faith secretly as ``hidden Christians'' even during the Tokugawa shogunate's ban on religion, but in the Meiji period, the forbidden tags were removed and missionary work began again.
Father Garnier, a Frenchman, visited this area in 1892 at the age of 32 and served as a missionary for 49 years until he passed away in 1941 at the age of 82.He skillfully used Amakusa's language, and was praised by the villagers as He was affectionately known as "Mr. Paatel".
The current cathedral was completed in 1933 by the priest in cooperation with the faithful.
In 1907, the so-called ``Five Shoes'' trip of five people, including Hakushu Kitahara, had the main purpose of meeting ``Mr. Paatel,'' and they visited the cathedral and met Father Garnier.
Inside the facility, there are a statue of Father Garnier and a statue of the Virgin Mary of Lourdes, which remain symbols of Amakusa Christianity.

The Amakusa Rosary Museum tells the story of the lives, beliefs, and culture of the Hidden Christians in Amakusa.
In addition to valuable relics such as the Maria Kannon, the holy water jar used in mourning ceremonies, and the "Jyo Erasing Jar" designated as an important cultural property by the prefecture, there are also reproductions of the "hidden room" built for secret worship. It speaks of faith.
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.
Also attached to Amakusa Rosary Museum is Amakusa City Amakusa Toy Museum, which is filled with local toys collected from all over the country.
Many nostalgic toys are also on display.

Located in Unzen- Amakusa National Park, the blue sea, white sand, and green pine trees create an exquisite balance, and it has been designated as one of the ``100 Green Views of Kumamoto'' for a long time as a place of scenic beauty with white sand and green pine trees. It is known as.
It is also named Shiratsuru Beach because the shape of the sand resembles the flapping shape of a white crane.
The clear blue waters of Shiratsuru Beach and the beauty of the sunset over Amakusa are breathtaking, symbolizing the natural beauty of Amakusa west coast.
It is one of the 100 best beaches in Japan, and is one of the few beaches in Kumamoto Prefecture that has received this designation.
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 with sea caves.
From the south, there are a series of strangely shaped rocks and caves, including Jusanbutsuzaki, Myoken Rock, Nagahae, Horai Island, Kiumigaura, Kaku Tsuno Bridge, Eboshi Rock, and Genbuzaki.
During the Edo period, the area around the area was called ``Ana-no-guchi,'' and there are records in ancient documents that when the Ueda family had important guests, they would show them around as a scenic spot in Amakusa.
Myokenura is also known as a sunset spot that is part of the sunset line of Kinikaigaura, Shimoda Coast, Shiratsuru Beach, Mt. Araodake, and Tsubaki Park, and attracts many photographers, both professional and amateur. It's a place.
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.
In the park, there is a ``Ako tree'' that is about 20 meters tall, and its countless roots are spread out on a huge rock called ``Kuraiwa'', and the sight of its large branches stretching out is an 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 that has been selected as one of the top 100 sunsets in Japan.
The observation deck along the coast overlooks Ogase and Ogase, making it the perfect location for photos.
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.

Sakitsu Village in Amakusa is located in Kawaura-cho, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and during the period when Christianity was prohibited, Buddhism, Shintoism, and Christianity coexisted, and the village fostered a form of belief unique to fishing villages.
Sakitsu Suwa Shrine is a shrine that is said to have been built in 1647 to pray for a bountiful catch 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 of the village, and an information center for Sakitsu Village was attached.

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.
There is a restaurant called Blue Garden located 5 minutes by car from the center of Shimoda Onsen, and the restaurant is popular as a perfect spot for photographers to enjoy the sunset from the attached deck.
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 the fall, we hold a sunset festival called the "Sunset Line" on Amakusa West Coast.

"In August 1907, a group of Kyushu travelers including Tetsukan Yosano, Hakushu Kitahara, Mokutaro Kinoshita, Isamu Yoshii, and Mari Hirano of Myojo Shinshisha crossed from Mogi to Tomioka on August 8th, stayed overnight, and the next day traveled to Oe for about 30 minutes. After walking a two-kilometre long mountain path, he stayed overnight in Oe, where he visited Father Garnier, the chief priest Oe Church, and was deeply impressed, so he ended his tour in Amakusa by staying the night in 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 that, a detailed examination of the five people's research and writings reveals that they were deeply influenced by the history and climate of Amakusa, including the Jashumon of Hakushu, and Amakusa became the center of the journey of the "Five Pairs of Shoes." That comes to mind.
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