Mt. Unzen

Mt. Unzen (雲仙岳) is the collective name for a volcano group on the Shimabara Peninsula, Nagasaki Prefecture. Its highest point is Heisei-shinzan (1,483m), and it is one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
Heisei-shinzan is a lava dome formed by the 1990–1995 eruptions and is off-limits, so the hiking goal is Fugendake (1,359m). A popular circuit starts from Nita-toge and links Myokendake, Kunimidake, and Fugendake via the ropeway and trails.
From Isahaya Station, access Unzen Onsen by Shimatetsu Bus.

The climb starts at Nita-toge (Unzen Ropeway Nita-toge Station).
From Nita-toge, take the ropeway up to Myokendake, traverse via Kunimidake to Fugendake, and descend the new trail to Azami-dani — a circuit of about 3–4 hours. From the Fugendake summit you look straight across at the Heisei-shinzan lava dome.
*The highest point, Heisei-shinzan, is off-limits. The Unzen Ropeway is suspended for inspection from June 15–24, 2026.

The gateway is Unzen Onsen. The shared taxi from Unzen Onsen to the Nita-toge trailhead (about 3km) is currently suspended, so use a regular taxi (about 10 minutes). From November 1 to January 4, a direct shuttle bus runs between Unzen Onsen Keyaki Plaza and Nita-toge (¥1,000 one-way, about 20 minutes; from Keyaki Plaza at 10:00/11:20/14:00, from Nita-toge at 10:40/12:40/14:50).

*Timetable last checked: unverified

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Isahaya Station → Unzen
2. [Return] Unzen → Isahaya Station

1.[Outbound] Isahaya Station → Unzen

From Isahaya Station (JR / Shimabara Railway), take the Shimatetsu Bus “Shimabara–Unzen–Obama–Aino–Isahaya Line” and get off at Unzen.
Travel time: about 86 minutes
Fare: ¥1,400
Service: daily (same schedule on weekdays and weekends/holidays)

From the Nagasaki direction, the Nagasaki Kenei Bus limited-express “Unzen Line” is also available.

Bus TimetableIsahaya Station to Unzen

Reference: [Shimatetsu Bus]

2.[Return] Unzen → Isahaya Station

From Unzen, take the Shimatetsu Bus “Shimabara–Unzen–Obama–Aino–Isahaya Line” and get off at Isahaya Station.
Travel time: about 84 minutes
Fare: ¥1,400
Service: daily (same schedule on weekdays and weekends/holidays)

Bus TimetableUnzen to Isahaya Station

Reference: [Shimatetsu Bus]

Photo by 663highland / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5