Recommended for a drive! 10 Spectacular Views of the Amakusa Sea

"High Mai Mountaineering "is a low mountain at 117 meters above sea level, but do not underestimate it. The view from the observatory at the top of the mountain is spectacular. You can enjoy the view of "Amakusa Five Bridges "connecting the Kyushu mainland and the Amakusa Islands and "Matsushima "dotted with small islands. "You can see all five of the five Amakusa bridges "and take a good look at the beauty of the many islands of Amakusa.
You can also see "Unzen Fugendake "in the neighboring Nagasaki Prefecture up close and enjoy the dynamic scenery unique to Amakusa. The sunset is so beautiful that it has been recognized as one of the 100 best sunsets in Japan. The red sky and Matsushima floating on the sea are spectacular sights that must be seen at least once.

Location: Amura, Matsushima-cho, Kamitenso City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge
Parking: Available (5 passenger cars)
Reference site: Amakusa Treasure Island Tourism Association

Mt. Kuradake is the highest peak in Amakusa at 682 meters above sea level. It is of course possible to climb the mountain on foot, but it is also possible to drive to just below the summit, so even inexperienced climbers can go there safely. There is a shrine at the summit of Mt.
The summit offers a 360° panoramic view over the Yatsushiro Sea. You can see Goshonoura Island, Nagashima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, and even the Yatsushiro Plain on the Kyushu mainland. The torii gate at the top of the mountain, also called the "torii of the sky ", looks like it is floating in the blue sky and blue sea.

Location: Kuratake-cho, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge
Parking: Available (50 passenger cars)
Reference site: Amakusa Treasure Island Tourism Association

"Roadside Station Ariake Rippleland "is a complex that offers not only a product center and restaurants, but also a beautiful beach and hot springs. "You can cross the road from Rippleland "to "Shirogahama Beach "on the other side of the road via a pure white pedestrian bridge. The contrast between the blue sea and the white footbridge is beautiful, giving it a Mediterranean-like atmosphere.
When you get off the pedestrian bridge, you will be greeted by a statue of an octopus that looks like a real one. Located just off the Matsushima Toll Road, it is a good place to stop by after a break in your drive.

Location: 1955 Kamiatsuura, Ariake-cho, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge
Parking: Available (150 passenger cars, 10 large cars)
Reference site: Roadside Station Ariake Rippleland

"Wakamiya Park Beach "is a beach not only for swimming but also for camping, BBQ, sea kayaking, etc. You can enjoy the beautiful blue ocean and the view of Mount Unzen Fugendake up close. "The best feature of Wakamiya Park Beach "is the uninhabited island "Turtle Island ", located 200 meters off the coast. At low tide, you can walk across the island and enjoy the feeling of exploration by strolling around the turtle island and climbing to the top of the island.
There is a direct sales shop nearby that sells local specialties, fresh vegetables, and seafood, so you can buy a meal and relax on a bench along the beach.

Location：Gowamachi, Amakusa-shi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Mikado Oshima
Fee: Free of charge
Parking: Available (50 passenger cars)
Reference site: Amakusa Treasure Island Tourism Association

Located on top of Ryudong Mountain, "Midori-no-Mura Campsite "is a complex that includes not only tent sites, but also bungalows, training facilities, and even tennis courts. It is an easy-to-use campground with excellent facilities, but most importantly, the view from the tent sites is superb. The islands in the Yatsushiro Sea between the mainland of Kyushu. You can see as far as Nagashima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture.
You can enjoy this spectacular view without staying at the campground, but if you go to the trouble, stay in a tent and enjoy the star-filled night sky and the Yatsushiro Sea, which turns orange in the morning sun. The tent sites are accessible by car, so feel free to enjoy auto-camping.

Location: Shinwa-cho, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Camping fee: Adults 300 yen / Children (junior high school age and under) 100 yen + tent site usage fee
Parking: Available (30 passenger cars)
Reference site: Ryudongsan Midori-no-Mura Campsite

"Onikaigaura Observatory "is located on the west coast of Amakusa Shimojima and offers a spectacular view of the East China Sea. The windows of the cafe "Blue Garden ", located just in front of the parking lot, overlook the crystal clear sea. There is also a wooden deck outside "Blue Garden "where you can feel the sea breeze and enjoy the sound of waves.
From the wooden deck, stairs extend down to the shore, so you can go down to the very edge of the ocean. You will lose track of time and gaze at the endless horizon of the East China Sea. "Onikaigaura Observatory "is selected as one of the best 100 sunsets in Japan, so you can also enjoy the beautiful sunset on the horizon.

Location: Shimotakita, Amakusa-cho, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge
Parking: Available (15 passenger cars)
Reference site: Amakusa Treasure Island Tourism Association

"Jusanbutsu Park "is another beautiful spot on the west coast of Amakusa Shimojima with a beautiful view of the East China Sea. To the north you can see a large rock rising out of the sea called "Myomigaura ". It is shaped like an elephant, so locals also call it "Elephant Rock ". And from the south of "Jusanbutsu Park ", you can see "Hakutsuru Beach ". The contrast between the white sand beach and the crystal clear ocean is very beautiful.
The sunset from this "Jusanbutsu Park "is also beautiful and has been selected as one of the 100 best sunsets in Japan ". " In spring, you can also enjoy the rows of cherry trees along the road. It is a superb spot with a variety of expressions depending on the season.

Location: Takahama Kita, Amakusa-cho, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge
Parking: Available (31 passenger cars)
Reference site: Amakusa Treasure Island Tourism Association

"The Sakitsu Association "was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2018 as one of the "Nagasaki and Amakusa Region Related to Buried Christians ". The current church was rebuilt in 1934, but the Christian worship itself began in 1569, and even after the prohibition in 1638, Christianity was quietly worshipped in this historic place until the prohibition was lifted in the Meiji era (1868-1912).
Standing in a small fishing village, "Sakizu Church "does not have the solemn atmosphere of churches overseas, but the interior, with its modest stained glass windows, has a Japanese beauty. ""Sakitsu Association ", also known as the Tenshudo of the Sea ", looks like a small town in a foreign country when viewed from across the harbor. On cold winter days, the entire fishing village including "Sakijin Association "is enveloped in a mysterious atmosphere, surrounded by mist rising from the sea.

Location: 539 Sakiatsu, Kawaura-cho, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge
Parking: Available (14 passenger cars)
Reference site: Amakusa Treasure Island Tourism Association

"Perla no Yubune "is a day-trip hot spring located in "Hotel Alegria Gardens Amakusa ". It stands on a small hill overlooking the Ariake Sea, and you can enjoy a spectacular view of the sea from the hot spring. The view from the large window in the indoor bath is beautiful, but you can't miss the open-air bath when you come to "Perla's Hot Spring ". "There are two baths: the ocean bath "and "mountain and forest baths ". The men's and women's baths switch on odd-numbered days and even-numbered days.
"Umi-no-yu "has an unobstructed view, so you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Ariake Sea stretching out before your eyes. The early morning view of the sunrise from "Umi-no-yu "is spectacular. And "Mountain Hot Spring and Forest Hot Spring "are surrounded by trees as you exit the indoor baths. "Mountain Hot Spring "is the first place you will be greeted. You will be healed by the Ariake Sea seen through the trees. ""After going down the stairs from the mountain hot spring ", you will find the forest hot spring ", which features a jar bath. "You can see a little bit of the sea from Mori no Yu ( "), but please enjoy the morning sunlight filtering through the trees and the starry sky at night in the quiet forest. The pleasant hot water and the beautiful scenery will heal the fatigue of the drive.

Location: 996 Hirose, Hondo-cho, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Fee: Adults 700 yen / Children 350 yen
Parking: Available (100 passenger cars)
Reference site: Hotel Alegria Gardens Amakusa

"At Mokushi Beach ", you will be greeted by a white sand beach and crystal clear waters. In the emerald green sea, you can see cute and colorful tropical fish even when diving. You can also have a chance to see sea turtles as they come to lay their eggs between May and June.
And this "MUSASHI BATH "was also used as a location for the scene "Battle of Ganryujima "in the 2003 historical drama "Musashi MUSASHI ". The scene is represented at the entrance to the beach.

Location: Ushibuka-cho, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Fee: Free (*500 yen during the swimming season)
Parking: Available (50 passenger cars)
Reference site: Amakusa Treasure Island Tourism Association

We introduced recommended spots with a view of the sea in the Amakusa Islands, Kumamoto Prefecture. Because there are no trains running in Amakusa, you can enjoy the beautiful ocean on a drive. The sea, which shows various expressions throughout the seasons, will surely enchant you. Please enjoy the sea of Amakusa in addition to swimming in summer.