Not far from Nagasaki, the hot spring town of Unzen is a fantastic springboard for travellers looking to discover the striking volcanic landscapes of the Unzen-Amakusa National Park. Originally a temple town, Unzen has been popular with international visitors since the Meiji period, in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Accommodation options include traditional ryokans as well as swish modern hotels, perfect for couples, families or friends with a range of tastes and budgets. Many of the best places to stay in Unzen are set in forested surroundings, well-located for National Park explorations.
Unzen is a wonderful year-round destination, with beautiful spring and autumn colours in the forest, warm summers for hiking, cycling and horse riding, and cool winters warmed by the hot spring baths. There’s something magical about the billowing steam of the hot spring fields — Unzen Jigoku —sweeping across the town, and long pensive soaks, massages and traditional treatments are not to be missed. In the Unzen-Amakusa National Park, clamber up Mount Unzen for magical ocean views, spot bottlenose dolphins on boat tours of the Hayasakiseto Strait, and delve into the world of fossils on Goshoura Island. Shimabara Castle and Manmyoji Temple are also wonderful.
Kick back in the hot springs and feast on flavoursome kaiseki cuisine during restful evenings at the best places to stay in Unzen.