Hamanokawa Spring
Hamanokawa Spring is one of the places where the blessings of Shimabara’s volcanoes bubble up into the daily lives of local residents.
In 1792, a powerful earthquake caused part of Mt. Mayuyama (819 m) to collapse and spill into the Ariake Sea, creating several new hills and revealing countless new sources of spring water. Rainwater filtered and diverted through cracks in the volcanic earth emerged clean and delicious from these new freshwater springs. The springs have been cherished ever since, and many are still used daily.
Hamanokawa Spring is split into four terraced pools, each with a specific use to keep the water clean as long as possible. You can drink the water by scooping it up with a cup from the channel before it enters the first pool. Don’t forget to try the kanzarashi, sweet mochi rice cakes made with the abundant spring water that is unique to Shimabara.