Unzen on the Shimabara Peninsula is one of Kyushu's highest altitude hot spring resorts, and its elevation means it hosts some of the earliest and most vivid autumn foliage in all of Kyushu—often peaking in early November. The Jigokudate ('Hell Valley') geothermal area juxtaposes steaming sulfurous vents against a surrounding forest of blazing maples, creating a uniquely dramatic volcanic landscape. The town of Unzen itself is lined with maple-shaded walkways and onsen establishments that allow visitors to soak while watching leaves fall. Unzen Amakusa National Park's broader trails extend the foliage experience across multiple days of hiking.
- Type
- Venue
- Category
- Autumn Leaves
- Season
- Autumn
- Month
- Early–Mid November
- Region
- Kyushu
- Prefecture
- Nagasaki
- City
- Unzen
Highlights
- ◆Earliest autumn colour in Kyushu due to high elevation
- ◆Dramatic contrast of steaming hell vents against red maples
- ◆Onsen town walkways lined with century-old maple trees
- ◆Trailheads into Unzen Amakusa National Park from town centre
- ◆Kanko Hotel historic spa retains Meiji-era atmosphere