Shimabara and MT Unzen

My intention is to post more about Japan,and maybe find more places for my friends to visit. Just 2 hours from Hario housing there is Shimabara town and castle.The town offers lots of things to see but because we left a little later we didn't get to see everything.We plan to return and spend the night that way we can visit Unzen town too. So far we have been to Hirado and KAratsu and visited their Castles ,but this was by far my absolute favorite. Here is some info: Shimabara Castle (島原城, Shimabarajō), is a white walled castle built during the early Edo Period as the seat of the local feudal lord. The castle was the extravagant centerpiece of the feudal domain and was far larger than those found in domains of similar status. The heavy taxation that was imposed to pay for its construction, together with the religious persecution of local Christians, were major factors that led up to the Shimabara Rebellion (1637-1638), a significant peasant uprising. Shimabarajo was eventually destroyed during the Meiji Period (1868-1912). The current buildings are concrete reconstructions from 1964. The five-story keep houses the Castle Tower Museum with a collection of Christian artifacts excavated from the castle ruins, weapons and armor. An observation deck on the 5th floor has views out to Mount Unzen and across the water to Kumamoto on clear days.

After visiting the castle, we drove 30 minutes to Mt Unzen. It was snowy but the kids loved it.We where told there would be restaurants but we found only little shops,so we ate boiled egg and corn on a cobb that this old lady sold.: Mount Unzen (雲仙岳, Unzendake) is an active volcano at the center of the Shimabara Peninsula, which has erupted several times in the last few hundred years with deadly results. The most recent eruption occurred from 1990-1995 when pyroclastic flows (superheated volcanic gases) and mudslides raced down the mountain towards Shimabara City, destroying buildings along the way. One of the pyroclastic flows killed several scientists, journalists and their drivers who tried to document the event. Despite its reputation for death and destruction, Mount Unzen was recognized in 1934 for its natural beauty and made part of the Unzen Amakusa National Park, one of the first national parks in Japan. In spring Unzen's slopes are covered in pink azaleas, and summers on the mountain are mild and green. Also, due to its high elevation, Mount Unzen is one of the relatively few autumn color spots in Kyushu. The season usually peaks from late October to mid November.