| From Tokyo: | 3-4 hr |
| From Nagasaki: | 1.5-3 hr |
How to Get There
Unzen-Amakusa National Park is named for the volcanic Mount Unzen and the verdant Amakusa Islands. The park encompasses parts of Nagasaki, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima prefectures in western Kyushu. Public transportation to the various areas of the park is infrequent or nonexistent, so renting a car is the best option for seeing more of the park.
From Tokyo
For the Amakusa Islands, take a flight from Haneda Airport to either Fukuoka Airport or Aso Kumamoto Airport (2 hr), change to a flight from Amakusa Airlines to Shimoshima Island (20-30 min), then take an airport shuttle to central Amakusa City (15 min) or rent a car. For Unzen Onsen, the hot spring town on Mount Unzen, fly from Haneda Airport to Nagasaki Airport (1 hr 40 min), ride a bus to Isahaya Terminal (30-45 min), then take a Shimatetsu Bus to the Unzen Shimatetsu Bus Office (1 hr 20 min).
From Nagasaki
For Unzen Onsen, the Nagasaki Kenei company offers three daily express buses that run from Nagasaki Ekimae Bus Terminal to the Unzen Shimatetsu Bus Office (1 hr 40 min). If you miss the bus, you can take the JR Nagasaki Line from Nagasaki Station to Isahaya Station (35 min), then take a Shimatetsu Bus to the Unzen Shimatetsu Bus Office (1 hr 20 min). Alternatively, Unzen Onsen is about an hour and a half by car from both Nagasaki Station and Nagasaki Airport. For the Amakusa Islands after Unzen Onsen, rent a car and drive to Kuchinotsu Port, then take the car ferry to Oniike Port on Shimoshima Island.
Getting Around
If you merely want to relax in the hot springs at Unzen Onsen, you can get by with public transportation. However, to explore the park to its fullest, a car is the best option. The Unzen area, located on the Shimabara Peninsula, is north of the Amakusa Islands, and there is no direct transportation between these points. You’ll need to drive to either Kuchinotsu Port on the Shimabara Peninsula or Oniike Port on Shimoshima Island and take the Shimatetsu Ferry (30 min). The infrequent bus service on the Amakusa Islands doesn't run to many of the sightseeing spots. A “shared taxi” is available to the popular Nita-toge pass hiking trail leading to the Unzen Ropeway up Mount Unzen—reservations are required.