Why Was Gunkanjima Abandoned?

Why Was Gunkanjima AbanHashima Island was once a symbol of prosperity. In the mid-20th century, thousands of people lived and worked here, extracting undersea coal to power Japan’s rapid industrial growth. But by the 1970s, the energy landscape had shifted—from coal to oil. The Mitsubishi Mining Company shut down operations in 1974, and within weeks, the island’s entire population left. From the world’s most crowded island to a ghost town—almost overnight.
Walking through the ruins today feels surreal. The school gym still has its faded scoreboard. Empty stairwells echo with the sound of waves. Nature is slowly reclaiming the concrete skeletons of a once-bustling city.

I visited Gunkanjima in spring 2025 on a morning tour from Nagasaki Port. After 30 minutes on the boat, the island came into view—dark and compact, just like in the photos. We wore helmets and walked a fixed path near the pier. Our guide pointed out a collapsed school, rusting apartments, and the old bathhouse. You can’t explore freely, but just standing there, surrounded by broken concrete and silence, was unforgettable.

Why Is Hashima Island Considered Scary?

The nickname “ghost island” isn’t just for show. Hashima’s abandoned concrete structures—cracked walls, empty windows, rusted balconies—create a haunting atmosphere. Nature is reclaiming the space, but slowly. There’s no electricity, no residents, and almost complete silence. For many visitors, it’s not horror, but a strange mix of awe and sadness.

The idea that thousands of people once lived, worked, and raised families here—now gone—adds a weight that’s hard to shake. Some locals whisper ghost stories, and the island has appeared in horror-themed media. But the true “scariness” of Gunkanjima lies in its silence, its shadows—and its memory of Japan’s rapid rise and sudden abandonment.

Last updated: December 2025

Hita City

Hita is a small city in the western part of Oita Prefecture in Kyushu with a population of about 60,000 people. The city lies in a basin surrounded by mountains. It was an important city during the feudal time because it was a transportation hub accessible from the major cities in Kyushu. These cities are Fukuoka, Nakatsu, Oita, and Kumamoto. This is why the city was taken by the Tokugawa Shogunate.

During the Edo period when the Tokugawa family kept the title of Shogun from 1603 for more than 260 years, each area was governed by 250 daimyo or feudal lords. But important cities such as Takayama where high-quality lumber was produced were controlled directly by the shogunate. The magistrate office controlled the whole of Kyushu Island.

Many rivers flow from the mountains into the city and the rivers were used to transport products like lumber to other cities. But river transportation stopped once the Yoake Dam was constructed for electric power generation in 1954.

History of Onta

Onta is located in the northernmost part of Hita City. It takes about 30 minutes by car from the center of Hita. The production of pottery started in Onta in 1705 by Yanase Sanemon. He was a pottery artisan of the pottery village Koishihara in Fukuoka.

Kuroki Jubei who lived in Hita invited him and they tried to find a good place for the production of pottery. They finally founded a kiln in Onta because of its characteristics that made it a good place for creating pottery. There was good clay, abundant lumber to use for the firing, an ideal slope to make a climbing kiln, and a river to generate waterpower.

Production of Onta Pottery

There are only 10 pottery workshops in Onta. They traditionally hand down their techniques from father to one of his sons. Employing only traditional techniques, they don’t use electric power. They use manual pottery wheels, climbing kilns, and water wheel-driven pounders. Japan still has many pottery towns, but it is rare to see this old style anywhere else.

When you enter the village, firstly, you will recognize the sound of the pounder near the river. You can see how the water-power wooden machine pounds the clay. It is really unique! When you continue to walk along the street, you will see plates that are placed in front of houses to dry before firing and you will find that the house is a workshop. Some workshops are welcoming visitors. They will show you how they operate the manual pottery wheels.

You can buy their products at the workshops. A popular pattern is “tobikanna” which is a simple design consisting of short sharp lines. You may also find a jar with a handle that is not a traditional Japanese utensil. This design was influenced by the western tableware introduced to Nagasaki by Dutch traders through the East India Dutch Company. Dejima in Nagasaki was the only port open to Dutch traders while Japan closed the rest of the country for nearly all foreigners.

It is very interesting just walking along the street of Onta. Including the workshops and wooden pounders, there are many traditional wooden houses. Onta is designated as one of the Important Cultural Sceneries of Japan by the Ministry of Culture.

Visit of Bernard Leach

In the 20th century, British artist Bernard Leach came to Japan and visited many workshops all over Japan. He joined the Mingei (folk craft) movement which was started by Yanagi Muneyoshi known as Soetsu. Yanagi saw the beauty of tools made by nameless artisans and started the movement in 1926.

Leach started Leach Pottery in 1922 in Britain with Japanese potter Hamada Shoji. Leach also helped the foundation of the Japan Folk Craft Museum in Tokyo. After Leach visited Onta in 1954, they participated in an international craft contest and won the grand prix. That was the moment when Onta pottery became very famous.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including guides who can tell you all about Japanese pottery. The guide can take you to the Onta Village and some of the workshops if you wish. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Onta Access Information

Access: From Hakata (the big terminal in Kyushu), take a shinkansen to Kurume, then change to the Kyudai Line and get off at Hita Station. It takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. From Hita Station, it takes 40 minutes by bus to the Sarayama stop.

Onta Area Map

History of Hita

Hita is a small city in the western part of Oita Prefecture in Kyushu. Its population is about 60,000. The city is in a basin surrounded by mountains. It was an important city during the feudal time because it was a transportation hub accessible to major cities in Kyushu. These cities are Fukuoka, Nakatsu, Oita and Kumamoto. This is why the city was taken by the Tokugawa Shogunate.

During the Edo period when the Tokugawa family kept the title of Shogun for more than 260 years, each area was governed by 250 daimyo or feudal lords. But important cities such as Takayama where high-quality lumber was produced were controlled directly by the shogunate. The magistrate office controlled the whole of Kyushu Island.

Many rivers flow from the mountains into the city and the rivers were used to transport products like lumber to other cities. But river transportation stopped once the Yoake Dam was constructed for electric power generation in 1954.

Mameda Town

Mameda Town is designated as a preservation area of important traditional constructions by the national government. There are several houses that were constructed more than 200 years ago during the Edo period. You can visit some of these houses which are open to the public as museums.

For example, Kusano Honke House which is designated as a national important cultural asset was constructed around 1725. You will feel as if you have been transported back in time to the feudal time just by walking along the street surrounded by these old houses. At the Tenryo Hita Museum, you can learn about the history of the city.

Hita Gion Festival

When you hear about the Gion Festival, you may think of the big festival in Kyoto, but the Gion Festival in Hita also has a long tradition. It started about 300 years ago by imitating the festival of Kyoto. The wealth earned by financing enabled the city to hold a big festival.

The festival lasts about 20 days, and the highlight of the festival is the parade of floats which is held in late July. There are 10 beautifully decorated floats kept by each neighborhood of Hita. The tallest float is about 11 meters high. The floats are registered as one of the 33 festival floats of japan in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

If you visit the Hita Gion Float Museum, you can see 6 floats that are actually used for the festival.

Access: 12 minutes walk from Hita Station (JR Line)
Entrance Fee: 320 yen for adults / 220 yen for students (elementary, junior high, and high schools)
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm (closed on Wednesday)

Local Products

There are several unique local products from a long time ago that can be found in Hita.

Geta or Clogs: Because they produce high-quality lumber, they make Japanese traditional footwear called geta or clogs. They create stripe patterns by burning the surface. At the peak time, they produced 20 million pairs of clogs in a year.

Ontayaki Ceramics: They make ceramics using traditional techniques without using electricity such as manual pottery wheels, climbing kilns, and water wheel-driven pounders.

Sake & Shochu: Because of the rich water, they produce high-quality sake and shochu (distilled alcohol).

Hot Spring

A hot spring gushes out into the city from the mountains, and there are several hotels and ryokan with an in-house hot spring facility. After you visit the sightseeing spots of Hita, how about staying overnight in the city? It is nice to relax in a hot bath.

Birth Place of Hajime Isayama

Hajime Isayama is a manga (comic) artist who makes Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan) which has been a big hit in Japan. It is said he was inspired by his birthplace, the city of Hita, to make this manga. The backdrop of the story is in a city surrounded by high walls. They prevent the attack of titan and reminds of Hita which is surrounded by high mountains. He has a lot of imagination about what he would find beyond the mountains when he was a child.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including guides who can let you experience the best of Hita. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Hita Information

Access: From Hakata (the big terminal in Kyushu), take a shinkansen to Kurume, then change to the Kyudai Line and get off at Hita Station. It takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.

Hita Area Map

History of Kagoshima

Settlement of the area dates back to as long as 30.000 years ago, and traces of villages of around 9500 years ago have been found around Kagoshima. Because of the fertile volcanic ashes found widely in the area, agriculture has always been a large part of economic activity here. Civilization began around the 4th century when Japan was unified for the first time, and it was from the 13th century that the Shimazu feudal family started to rule the area that is today Kagoshima.

Because of its location next to the sea on one of the southernmost points of Japan, Kagoshima got in contact with foreigners early on from around the 16th century. It was here that guns and Christianity were introduced by the Portuguese at that time. Once the modernization of Japan started just before the Meiji period, Kagoshima happily adopted Western culture, and families from this area played a large role in the eventual overthrowing of the old government to truly start the Meiji Restoration.

What to See in Kagoshima

Most popular tourist attractions revolve around Sakurajima and Kagoshima’s history. The picture you see above was taken at a very famous lookout point in Kagoshima, Shiroyama Park. The view is not the only thing attracting people to this hill though; it is also the place where a legendary battle took place, the Satsuma Rebellion.

While that might not ring a bell for you, The Last Samurai most definitely will. The story of The Last Samurai movie is loosely based on what happened in the Satsuma Rebellion, and one of its main instigators’ character is quite similar to Ken Watanabe’s character.

There are also some good history-related museums in Kagoshima, here is a list of some of the best:

• Shoko Shuseikan; this museum is housed in the first factory in Japan that was opened halfway in the 19th century. The exhibition shows antique wares that belonged to the influential Shimazu family.
• Museum of the Meiji Restoration; this museum shows the important role people from Kagoshima have played at the end of the Edo period. There are some English explanations and the exhibition is quite interactive and kid-friendly.
• Reimeikan; if you want to learn more about the history of the area and Japan then just around the era of modernization, the Reimeikan will offer you a comprehensive overview of history from the New Stone Age until the 20th century.

Sakurajima

Sakurajima is a volcano that is still active on a regular basis, so it is not always possible to cross over to the island, but if the volcano is not in a particularly active phase it is a must-do in Kagoshima. There are several ways to enjoy Sakurajima. Of course, the most common way to get there is by ferry, but if you want to make it a bit more of an adventure you can also paddle there in a canoe which takes around one hour one-way.

Tours that go there by canoe take around 3 hours. Once you are on the island, the hike to get to the main lookout point takes about 2 hours, so you have to plan accordingly. You should always check the level of the volcanic activity before you go.

Other Kagoshima Highlights

If you are coming during the warmer months and want to take a dip in the ocean, Iso Swimming Beach is the beach that is easiest to access from Kagoshima city. There are showers, toilets, changing rooms, and lockers for use. The beach can get crowded in July and August but is quieter during the rest of the season. If you get hungry, there are mochi (rice cake) snacks for sale around the beach.

The Sengan-en garden is one of Kagoshima’s highlights. The garden and its buildings belonged to the Shimazu family, and one of the garden’s most interesting features is how its background natural surroundings Sakurajima and the bay have been blended into the design of the garden. The often smoking volcano stands majestically in the background of this very well-kept garden that is 12 acres large. You can also enter the house where the family used to live, and see how the interior shows how internationally-minded the family was.

As for all Japanese regions, Kagoshima also has its local delicacies. The foods you should definitely try on your Kagoshima trip are products made with Satsuma sweet potatoes, tonkatsu made with delicious, sustainably bred Kurobuta pork, and sheared bonito sashimi. As for a Kagoshima specialty drink, do give the local shochu a try. It is made from locally sourced Satsuma sweet potatoes and really delicious when paired with fatty or fried food.

Diving in Kagoshima

Still an unknown location to foreign tourists and divers but absolutely worth the trek to Kagoshima for those with diving experience is Iojima, which is only one rocky ferry-ride away from Kagoshima city. Because of the active volcano, parts of the coast here consist of metallic rock that gives off a brown color to the water nearby. With the water looking opaque red-brown, it doesn’t look like a typical place to go diving.

For those who dare to make the dive, a surprise is waiting for them though. If you dive at the right time, the way the red water is separated from the bluer water and how the sunlight filters through make it look like you see aurora. That’s right, you can see the northern lights underwater! You can find more information (in Japanese) and pictures on this website, and here you can find out more about a tour to the area (in Japanese). If you don’t speak or read Japanese, we are happy to help you and arrange this diving experience for you. Please contact us if you have any questions or inquiries.

Izumi Crane Park

The Izumi Crane Park is a bit far away from Kagoshima, but as it is on the way to Kumamoto, tourists in Kyushu can easily make a pit stop in this special natural area. Cranes are usually associated with certain areas in Hokkaido, but they need to spend the winter in warmer climates. Izumi is the area in Japan that sees most migrating cranes in one place, as you can sometimes see over 10,000 individuals at the same time.

These cranes live in Siberia during the warmer months, but between October and December they migrate southwards and many of them end up in Izumi. They will stay there until March, and fly back to Russia once it gets warmer. There are 5 types of cranes that come to spend the winter in Izumi, and it is a joy to watch them when they are flying together, eating, and dancing. Cranes dance when they are courting each other for strengthening their bond, but also to assess each other as a rival. It is truly incredible to see them in the heat of the moment, synchronizing their movements in a beautiful dance.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including destinations like Kagoshima. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Area Map

Kagoshima City

Iojima (for diving)

Ancient Harbor

Karatsu took an important position for maritime traffic since ancient times due to its location close to the mainland. Trade with foreign countries, especially with China and Korea, was very active since ancient times. Moreover, Karatsu’s name came from this fact: the writing of “Kara 唐” is the ancient name of China, and “Tsu津” means port, so the Karatsu ensemble means “the port for ships leaving for China”. Thanks to its port, Karatsu was a prosperous city until the 1920s.

Sightseeing in Karatsu

Karatsu still has plenty of important historical heritage. Here are the best sights in Karatsu;

Karatsu Castle

Karatsu Castle, the symbol of the city, faces the Karatsu Bay. The castle was built in 1609 by one of the Toyotomi lords, Terazawa, and the ocean was used as a natural moat. After the Meiji Restoration, the castle was demolished in 1877, and a park was created in its place. The present dungeon, a reconstruction of the original dungeon, was built in 1966. The castle exhibits the history of Karatsu, a Karatsu pottery collection, and especially the panoramic view from the castle observatory is a must-see.

Access: 20 min. walk from Karatsu station.
Admission: 500 yen for adults, 250 yen for schoolchildren
Opening hours: 9 am-5 pm (last entry 4.30 pm)

Nijino Matsubara (pine forest)

Nijino Matsubara is a pine forest of about 240ha. The forest was planted by the feudal lord Terazawa (lord of Karatsu Castle) to protect the city from the strong winds coming from the ocean.

Takatori’s Old Residence

The former Takatori residence was that of Koreyoshi Takatori (1850-1927), who was the owner of the Kijima Coal Mine and other coal mines in Karatsu. Two buildings are located on a large site of about 2,400m2 along the southwest coast of Karatsu Castle. Inside the residence, you can see a mixture of Western and Japanese design and style and there is also a Noh scene.

Access: 15 min walk from Karatsu Station
Entrance: 520 yen for adults, 260 yen for schoolchildren
Opening hours: 9 am-5 pm (last entry 4.30 pm)

Karatsu Pottery

Karatsu’s pottery is earthenware. The history of Karatsu pottery dates back to the 16th century. Karatsu pottery flourished until the Edo period as the official pottery of the clan in charge, and also for the production of plates for the tea ceremony. Unfortunately, from the Meiji period, Karatsu pottery declined. However, when the living national treasure Nakasato Muan (1895-1985) revived the long-forgotten ancient Karatsu techniques of the Momoyama period and early Edo period, it was resurrected and the number of potters increased. There are now about 70 potteries in the city.

Karatsu Kunchi Karatsu Kunchi Float Exhibition Hall

Karatsu Kunchi is an annual festival of the Karatsu Shrine which takes place every year from November 2nd to 4th. The purpose of this festival is to celebrate its foundation which dates back to 755. It is said that the first festival took place between 1661-1673. On the day of the festival, 14 floats called Kunchi parade through the streets. Most of the floats were developed between 1819 and 1876.

Next to the Karatsu Shrine, Karatsu Kunchi Karatsu Kunchi’s chariot exhibition hall (Hikiyama) exhibits the 14 floats used for the festival.

Access: 10 min. walk from Karatsu Station.
Entrance: 310 yen for adults, 150 yen for schoolchildren
Opening hours: 9 am-5 pm (last entry 4.40 pm)

Yobuko Morning Market and Yobuko Squid

Yobuko, located 30 min by local bus from the center of Karatsu, is a small fishing village. We can find and taste a wide variety of fish, but the most famous one is the Yokubo squid that is caught in the Genkai Sea. We can of course eat it as sashimi (raw). When it is very fresh, the squid is still transparent. You can also taste it in restaurants in downtown Karatsu.

Access: 30 min by local bus from Karatsu station
Opening hours: 7.30 am-noon

Nanatsugama Sea Caves in Yobuko

This picturesque place was formed on the rocky cliffs of the Genkai Sea after many years of a rough sea. A part of the hollowed-out rocky cliff has 7 caves that look just like ovens, hence the name 7 ovens, Nanatsu-gama. From Yobuko port, you can join a 40 min cruise to see these cliffs up close.

Access: 30 min by local bus from Karatsu station.
Admission: 1800 yen for adults (40min cruise)
Opening hours: 9.30 am-4.30 pm

Local Food of Karatsu

Every region in Japan has its own local delicacies. In Karatsu, river crab is one of those local specialty dishes. You can eat it as it is with the kanimiso (orange miso-like substance) and white meat being the best parts, or you can eat it in kanemeshi, which is crab meat over rice. Furthermore, beef from the black Japanese cow that is raised in Saga prefecture and great meat for shabu shabu is a must-try when you are in the region.

Local Souvenir of Karatsu

Obviously, when you go to Karatsu the one thing you should buy is Karatsu ware. While it may not be very colorful as it retains the colors of the soil that was used to produce the pottery, it is very simple and classic and goes well with many tasteful interiors. Pottery connoisseurs have praised Karatsu ware for its design, and it makes for a perfect present for those who like the Japanese minimalist style.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including destinations like Karatsu. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Area Map

Number One Bridge

The bridge was opened in 2006, after 2.5 years of construction. The total cost was 2 billion yen. The bridge was built by a private company without any support from the national or local government. It is a very strong bridge and it is safe for 1,800 people to walk on the bridge at the same time.

With its length of 390 meters, the area’s altitude of 777 meters, and a height from the ground of 173 meters, the bridge was Japan’s record holder for all three.  Unfortunately for Oita prefecture, the bridge has since given up its number 1 status when it comes to length has after the Mishima Sky Walk in Shizuoka Prefecture near Hakone was constructed in 2015, which is 10 meters longer than Kokonoe Bridge. But Kokonoe still remains Japan’s number one regarding the height of the location of the bridge, and the height of the bridge from the ground.

The View

The area around the bridge is called Narukogawa Valley, which is a very scenic area. The waterfalls of Shindo-no-taki consist of two parts, Odaki (male waterfall) and Medaki (female waterfall). Odaki is 83 meters high and Medaki is 93 meters high. You can see these waterfalls when you walk on the bridge.

Walking on the bridge is a bit thrilling, which makes it a fun place to visit for those who like some excitement. The width is only 1.5 meters and there are slits. If you stand in the middle of the path, you can look down the valley through them. But if you walk on the side it is fully covered, so it is not too scary to cross the bridge. As you have to come back to the entrance to get off the bridge, if you don’t feel comfortable you should not go too far.

It is not too easy to go there, but it is worth visiting. The name of the bridge includes the word ‘yume’, which means dream. The name was publicly solicited and they got about 6,000 applications. It is like a dream to cross one of the longest bridges with amazing views. But be careful if you have acrophobia because you may get bad dreams at night after crossing this bridge.

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Access Information

Access: From Bungo-Nakamura Station (JR Line), take community bus to Otsuribashi-Nakamuraguchi (大吊橋中村口) bus stop
Entrance: Adults (over 15) 500 yen / Elementary school students 200 yen
Hours: From August to October 8.30 am – 6 pm, From November to July 8.30 – 5 pm

Kokonoe Yume Otsuribashi Area Map

Deities Izanagi and Izanami created Japan in ancient times. They had three children, Amaterasu was the goddess of the sun, Tsukuyomi was the goddess of the moon or night, and Susanoo, the youngest son, was the god of the sea. Susanoo was childish and cried all the time because he wanted to see his mother. He didn’t govern the country.  Amaterasu tried to make him a good adult but he became very violent. So she got angry and gave up raising him. She then hid in the cave. The sun disappeared and the world has become dark by losing the light.

It is said this cave is in Takachiho. A Shinto shrine was constructed at this site. It is called Amano Iwato Shrine. Ama means heaven and Iwato means stone cave.

Yokagura Dance

The Yokagura is a traditional dance performed by local men, and its secrets have been passed down from generation to generation. Its 33 dances act out various episodes from Japanese myths. Out of these dances, the most famous one is when the sun goddess Amaterasu hides in a cave as explained above.

The season of the dancing starts in November and goes on until February. The dances are performed in local houses and community centers and everyone is welcomed. An offering of money or shochu is expected (there is a reception desk), especially if you stay to watch the whole set of dances. So the Yokagura dance season provides the visitor with a unique opportunity to be welcomed into a local Japanese community and to savor the hospitality of the locals. While the men dance, the women provide a constant stream of home-made noodles and vegetable dishes. And of course, there is also a lot of shochu to drink.

Takachiho Yokagura at Takachiho Shrine

The Yokagura lasts all night long. If you are a tourist it may be difficult to stay and watch the whole 33 acts. So I recommend Takachiho Kagura which consists of 4 acts out of 33 and is played every night at the Takachiho Shrine. It starts at 20:00 and lasts for about one hour. The brief stories of these 4 acts are as follows.

Dance of Tajikarao

Tajikarao was a god known for his great strength. When the sun goddess Amaterasu hid in a cave，Tajikarao went searching for her. Tajikarao suspected that Amaterasu hid in Amano Iwato cave. This dance depicts Tajikarao listening for any sounds that would prove that Amaterasu was actually in the cave.

Dance of Ameno-Uzume

When the gods were sure that Amaterasu was hiding in the Amano Iwato Cave, they gathered in front of the cave. Ameno－uzume then performed a very unusual dance, which made the other gods laugh and make much noise. The laughter made Amaterasu curious, so she peeked out from the cave.

Totori Dance

When Amaterasu peeked out from the cave, Tajikarao removed the stone door of the cave. This dance depicts Tajikarao gathering his strength and removing the stone door.

Goshintai Dance

This dance depicts Izanagi and Izanami, the god and goddess who created Japan, as they make and drink sake．These two gods are known for their long and loving marriage. This dance is also known as ‘The creation of Japan’ dance.

This last dance is like a comedy. It is a love story, so at the end of the dance, the actors may come down to the audience and try to hug the spectators!

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Access Information

Access: There are direct express buses to Takachiho Bus Center from the major train stations in Kyushu. From Hakata, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Nobeoka. Then it takes 15 minutes to walk to the Takachiho Shrine from the bus center.
Entrance: 1,000 yen
Hours: 8 pm – 9 pm

Takachiho Area Map

History of Arita and Imari Porcelain

Arita was the first place that succeeded to make porcelain in Japan. Japan has a long history of pottery, but their products used to be earthenwares. After the war against Korea in the late 16th century, Nabeshima, a feudal lord of Hizen (the former name of the area including Arita) brought an artisan from Korea. With this artisan’s help, they found kaolin. This is the main ingredient of porcelain in the area, and they finally succeeded to make porcelain in the early 17th century.

Arita porcelain is known by different names. For example, it is called Imari ware because the products were exported to Europe from the port of Imari close to Arita. It is also called Nabeshima because of the name of the feudal lord who brought the aforementioned artisan. This name can, however, not always be used. We can only use this name for porcelain that was made by the official producers of the Hizen domain. This pottery is usually of superior quality.

What is the difference between porcelain and earthenware? In short, it is that porcelain is made of stone, and earthenware is made of clay. This means that porcelain is normally white, while earthenware is brown. On the white surface of porcelain many colors are used; red, blue, green, and often gold. This makes porcelain much more colorful than earthenware.

The Towns of Arita and Imari

There are still many kilns in the area, and some of these kilns welcome tourists for a visit. The Gen-emon Kiln is one of the most famous ones in Arita, and it has a 260-year history. You can see their workshop and learn how they make shapes using a potter’s wheel and how they paint the surface.

Okawachiyama is one of the porcelain towns of Imari. The area located on the hill, separated from the town. This way they can keep how they make the highest quality porcelain products a secret. They mainly made the products that were used as a gift for the Emperor and VIPs. There are still many kilns and shops in this town, and it is very interesting to walk these streets. They are one of a kind, because many of the street arts are made of porcelain!

China On The Park

China On The Park is a small complex in Arita that is owned by Fukagawa-Seiji, the pottery that became the official supplier for pottery for the Imperial Family. You will find an outlet shop with almost perfect pottery for discounted prices, a gallery, a nice garden, and a classy restaurant. If you happen to come during the early summer, you might be lucky and catch the blooming lavender in the garden.

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Video

Information

Access  to Arita (有田): 40 minutes from Saga Station by express train

Access to Imari (伊万里): 25 minutes from Arita Station by train

Area Map

Archaeological Site of the Yayoi Period

There used to be a village on this spot that existed between the 3rd century BC and the 3rd century AD. This period is called the Yayoi period in Japan because some potteries from this period were excavated in Yayoi Town in Tokyo. But with newer dating methods such as AMS radiocarbon dating, the earliest artifacts found at the Yoshinogari Site even date back to before 400 BC.

This Yoshinogari Site has become a very important archaeological site because of its huge size and artifacts found there. The total size of the site is about 40 hectares. Something that especially stands out about the site is its defense system. The site is surrounded by V-shaped double moats, and the total length of the moat is about 2.5 km.

The excavation of the site started in 1986, and this is when they found that the whole area used to be a village. They excavated artifacts like bronze mirrors from China, Japanese-style bronze mirrors, and bronze daggers. They also found coins, bells, and halberds, iron tools, wooden tools, prehistoric human hair, etc. The site was designated as Special National Historic Site in 1991, and it has become a National Park in 1992. They started to reconstruct the ancient structures on the site and the park has become a major tourist attraction.

How to Enjoy Yoshinogari

At the East Entrance, there is an information center, we recommend that you watch the 12-minutes video first. The video will give you a rough idea about the area’s history and the park. Then you cross the bridge which leads you to the site. The theme of the site is “You can hear the voices of the Yayoi people!”

Minaminaikaku (Southern Inner Enclosure) is the center of the park. This area is regarded as the area of the rulers. There are 20 reconstructed houses here, and this is believed to be where the successive rulers of Yoshinogari and the surrounding village rulers resided during the peak of the Yayoi civilization.

Judging from the formidable defenses of this area, including the circular moats, fences, and watchtowers, this place is considered to be where the rulers of Yoshinogari could be found. In contrast to the other living areas of Yoshinogari, the high-floored houses, as well as various iron products found in the area, show the elevated status of its former residents.

Ancient Meeting Area

Kitanaikaku (Northern Inner Enclosure) is believed to have been the most important area, not only in the Yoshinogari village but also in the whole nation-state around Yoshinogari. It is here that the dates for rice planting and harvesting, seasonal festivals and ceremonies, and the largest market are thought to have been established.

This is where important meetings for matters of state are believed to have been held for the entire nation-state, and where prayers were offered unto ancestors. During the Yayoi period, it is believed that when people could not come to an agreement on important issues, a high priest, with the special skill to communicate with the ancestors and god, was asked to intervene, and the decision was made in accordance with the received message.

The Kura (storehouse) and Ichi (market) areas are believed to have been Yoshinogari’s commercial center. There are a large market and storehouses for trading goods. The reasons are that the structure is very similar to ancient clay drawings of Chinese markets; there used to be a big river nearby which boats, an important means for transportation, could travel; and this whole area was completely surrounded with moats.

Burial Jar Rows is also an interesting area which was the former cemetery of the village.

Yoshinogari Information

Access: 15 minutes walk from Yoshinogari-Koen (吉野ヶ里公園) station
Entrance: Adult (over 15) 460 yen (free for junior high school student and under)
Hours: From June to August 9:00 – 18:00, From September to May 9:00 – 17:00

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Yoshinogari. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday. Japan is a fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Area Map

Clock Paralyzed in Time

Upon entering the museum, there is a spiral corridor that makes you think that you are going back in time. You get transported from our time to 1945. The first thing you will see is a clock paralyzed in time, forever stuck at 11.02. This is the exact time the bomb exploded. In the first part of the museum, you can see a replica of how Nagasaki looked just after the explosion. This way, the visitor can experience firsthand the impact and destruction of the bomb. It is very impressive.

In the next room, objects that were left after the explosion are on display such as melted bottles and burned clothes. Even more poignant are the bones of a human hand glued to a melted glass, and a lunchbox with its still charred content. The helmet with the remains of the skull of a victim on the inner surface really makes the terror tangible. The following section shows the damage caused by the radiation and the damage caused by the explosion. You can also see appeals of the atomic bomb survivors and the rescue and relief activities that were carried out.

There is also a high-tech demonstration that shows in a 3D model of the city how the bomb’s wave destroyed everything from the epicenter to the outskirts of the city. Touring the museum, you will also find many religious symbols such as rosaries that due to the strong heat melted. This museum contains explicit images of the victims after the bombing and a real-size replica of ‘Fat Man’, the name of the atomic bomb that was dropped in Nagasaki, is on display.

Reflecting on Peace

The penultimate section is dedicated to how the first bombs were created and why it was decided to drop them in Japan, from the decision that was taken in the Manhattan Project until August 9 when the second and last atomic bomb was dropped.

Finally, the museum leaves us in the last room with a chance for reflection on peace. Here you can see how nuclear weapons have evolved since the bombing of Nagasaki and it shows how many nuclear weapons each country has. The museum hopes to make clear that the atrocity generated by these weapons can be repeated if human beings do not react and prohibit nuclear weapons.

The museum promotes a pacifist philosophy and prays that this tragedy does not happen again, but to protect the future you have to know what happened in the past. This museum was founded in 1966 and remodeled to the establishment that is today in 1996.

Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall

A few meters from the museum, you can find the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims. 12 pillars of light make up the monument, along with photographs of the victims. At the top, there is a beautiful water basin bordered by trees through which the 12 pillars of light continue to rise from below. At night, 70,000 fiber optic lights illuminate the surface of the water, symbolizing the victims. Nagasaki today is considered a city of peace.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Nagasaki. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Atomic Bomb Museum Access Information

Access
From  Genbaku-Shiryokan tram station or Hamaguchi-cho bus stop
Entrance fee
Adults 200 yen, Under high school students 100 yen
Hours
May to August: From 8.30 am to 6.30 pm (last entry 6 pm)
September to April: From 8.30 am to 5.30 om (last entry 5 pm)

Atomic Bomb Museum Area Map