Mount Unzen sits at the center of the Shimabara Peninsula as an active volcano, which has erupted many times in the last few hundred years. The most recent eruption was in the 1990s, destroying some of the outskirt areas of Shimabara City along with several people killed during this tragic natural disaster. Despite the deadly reputation of Mount Unzen, a relaxing hot spring resort area, along with the Unzen Amakusa National Park offer a combination of sightseeing and relaxation for travelers to enjoy in Japan. Visitors also travel here to enjoy the colors of autumn with the entire mountain dressed in red, which is a rare view of the traditional autumn leaves of Japan in Kyushu. Ropeways and driving paths offers travelers a view of the surrounding mountains and the Ariake Sea. The Popular hike route allows adventures visitors to climb towards Fugendake, which is 1359 meters high and the highest peak to climb to. It takes around one hour and thirty minutes to reach the top, but the view of the Heisei Shinzan at 1486 meters, which formed from the volcano’s last eruption makes the experience extra special and worthwhile.
