Unzen Visitor Center
Welcome to the Unzen Visitor Center, located at the foot of the Unzen volcano cluster. Inside, you will learn about the natural and cultural stories of Unzen’s quiet temples, steaming hot springs, and towering mountains.
The Visitor Center contains permanent exhibits on the topography, wildlife, and plant life of the Shimabara Peninsula, including a collection of photos capturing the local birds and insects in gorgeous detail. Explanatory pamphlets in multiple languages are available at the center along with information about which flowers and wildlife are visible each day. Unzen was one of the first resorts for Western tourists in Japan, and the center’s history corner contains a collage of early twentieth-century photographs that capture their carefree days of parties, hiking, and golf.
The second floor of the Visitor’s Center provides in-depth information about the complex geological history and modern volcanic activity of the Shimabara Peninsula. Here, you can learn about the magma deep beneath your feet and the science behind your hot-spring dip. Maps and diagrams explain the geological forces that formed the Shimabara Peninsula and led to the eruptions of the 1990s, which created Mt. Heisei Shinzan (1,486 m), the area’s highest and newest peak.