Nagasaki Japan

Back in the wonderful country of Japan.

We had an 8 hour excursion outside the city by going to both Unzen and Shimbara. Nagasaki has a population of around 500,000. Unzen and Shimbara have smaller populations from 30,000 to 40,000 people. It was so nice to be in smaller cities.

We arrived in Unzen which is known for its hot springs. In the 1600s the Feudal lords decided to rid Japan of the Christian influence that had been promoted by European explorers. This town was used to torture those who practiced the religion by threatening them with burning them in the boiling spring water. More recently, this area has become known as a resort that thrives on the spa business.

The walk through the springs was hot and sulfurous.

There are actually three areas that host hot springs

Recognition of Christian lives that were lost within the Springs

Onto the town of Shimbara and its Castle. Similar to other castles, this was built by a feudal lord, Matsukura Shigemasa in the 1600s. It was surrounded by a moat with watch towers to detect threats.