Japan Kyushu 2023 Road Trip Day 7

Making payment for our overnight parking. In Japan, most hotels charge between ￥1000 to￥1500 for overnight parking. Public parking was available in some cases and they were usually cheaper.

Our morning plan for today was to hunt down the remaining One Piece statues. The first one we found was MONKEY D LUFFY placed in front of the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office.

Next, we found TONY TONY CHOPPER at the Kumamoto City Zoo.

At the Mifune Fureai Park, we found BROOK.

We continued our search and found SANJI at the Mashikimachi Sports Park.

The statue of RORONOA ZORO was located at a park a short walk from Higo-Ozu Station.

Lastly, the statue of Nami was located at Moe no Sato in the village of Nishihara.

We then proceeded to take the Sea Ferry at Kumamoto Port.

Parking our car at the assigned deck.

The ferry was big and spacious with many different types of seats available.

On board the ferry, there was a mini-mart where you could purchase food.

These were what we bought.

After disembarking from the ferry, we first headed to the buried houses of Mt. Unzen.

These were real houses buried during the last volcano eruption.

It is a poignant reminder of the devastating volcanic eruption that occurred in 1991 in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. This eruption of Mt. Unzen’s Fugendake peak triggered massive pyroclastic flows that swept through the nearby areas, burying homes and infrastructure under thick layers of volcanic ash and debris.

Today, the site has been preserved as part of the Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall, where visitors can view the remains of these buried houses and learn about the impact of the eruption through exhibits and educational programs.

Those with time to spare can come to visit the 3 Shiba house. If you are lucky, you may see them poke their head out from the holes provided. We saw them resting in the garden.

We continued our journey to the Shimabara Bukeyashiki, it was also known as the Samurai District.

This district offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of samurai during the Edo period (1603-1868). The area features traditional samurai residences, complete with gardens, stone walls, and moats, reflecting the architectural style and social structure of that time.

Visitors can explore several restored houses, which often include exhibits of samurai armor, weapons, and everyday items, providing an immersive experience of Japan’s feudal past.

We then proceeded to Mount Unzen. This was the 2nd observation point along Nita Pass.

This observation point offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the iconic Mt. Unzen, lush forests, and the Ariake Sea.

Nita Pass, located in the Unzen area of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, is a renowned mountain pass offering spectacular views and access to some of the region’s most scenic landscapes. The pass is a gateway to Mt. Unzen, an active volcano known for its dramatic eruptions.

Visitors to Nita Pass can take the Nita Pass Ropeway, which provides a convenient and scenic route to higher elevations, including several observation points. These viewpoints offer breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding mountains, lush forests, and the distant Ariake Sea.

After Nita Pass, we checked into our hotel Yukai Resort Unzen Toyokan. This was by far the biggest hotel of all our stays.

The hotel had a big waiting and resting area. It also had 2 separate wings.

A medium size shop.

A wide selection of Yukata for guests.

A library with massage equipment.

With a wide selection of Manga.

Lots of One Piece of course.

The room was so big that it came with a bedroom.

And a separate living area.

Even the bath and WC were separated.

As our buffet dinner was not ready, we took a walk to the nearby Unzen Jigoku (Unzen Hell).

This area is renowned for its dramatic volcanic activity, featuring steaming vents, boiling hot springs, and bubbling mud pools. The landscape is marked by intense geothermal phenomena, with steam and sulfuric gases creating a unique and otherworldly atmosphere.