【Departing from Hakata Station】 Sightseeing Train Experience with Local Gourmet and Three Types of Sweets | Nishitetsu Travel Chartered Service | Shimatetsu Cafe Train and the City of Water, Shimabara ～Shimabara Castle, the Town Where Carp Swim, and the Nagasaki Summer Resort 'Shimeiso' Spring Garden～ (Japanese guidance only on the day)
- A must-ride! Nishitetsu Travel charters the popular 'Shimatetsu Cafe Train' that runs along the coast
- Enjoy local gourmet food and three types of sweets while gazing at the sea and mountains of Shimabara
- We will guide you to 'Shimabara Castle' with its white keep standing out against the blue sky, and the 'Town Where Carp Swim' and 'Shimeiso Spring Garden,' where beautiful carp swim in clear, gushing spring water
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Departure Time | Standard Departure (8-9 am) |
| Minimum participant requirement | 25 travelers |
| Meal arrangement | Lunch included |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Historic site tour, Bus tour |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
- 【Nishitetsu Travel Chartered】 Enjoy unique local gourmet food and sweets♪ Board the Shimatetsu Cafe Train!
Ride the 'Shimatetsu Cafe Train' running along the coast!
Feel the pleasant sway of the train while indulging in local gourmet food and sweets.
We will stop at Omisaki Station, known as the 'station closest to the sea in Japan.'
You can enjoy tea time while looking at the sea, or write your wishes or messages for loved ones on a yellow handkerchief to pray for happiness.
Why not write a wish for someone special as a memory of your trip?
*Yellow handkerchiefs can be purchased at Omisaki Station from the 'Happy Yellow Handkerchief Gachapon' (Price: 500 yen per turn / cash only).
【Lunch Menu & Drinks】
May: Chicken Hamburg Steak, Kurobo, Karinto (Red Salt), Strawberry Daifuku
June: Volcano Bento, Nagasaki Doughnut (Shimabara Peninsula Brown Sugar), Unzen Vegetable Pudding (Potato), Kuzuko Ice (Mandarin Orange)
Drinks: Hojicha and Cafe Train special coffee included
*Menu changes monthly.
*Meal contents may change depending on availability.
*Juice is provided for children.
- Shimabara Castle, celebrating its 400th anniversary, with its beautiful white keep standing out against the blue sky
A masterpiece of Japanese castle architecture, Shimabara Castle has overcome many disasters and celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2024!
The current keep was reconstructed in 1964 (Showa 39). The first floor serves as a Christian History Museum, displaying numerous materials from the era of the famous Christian daimyo Arima Harunobu's Namban trade to the Shimabara Rebellion.
- Guided tour of the 'Town Where Carp Swim,' where carp swim in clear spring water, and the Shimeiso Spring Garden
Shimeiso Spring Garden is selected as one of the 10 best summer resorts in Nagasaki.
The pond, boasting a spring water volume of about 3,000 tons per day, is filled with colorful carp, and the garden is landscaped with red pines and maples, enchanting all who visit.
Shimatetsu Cafe Train (image)
May lunch menu (image)
Daisanto Station (image)
Happy Yellow Handkerchief (image)
Purchase Notice
[Tour conditions]
Departure/Destination: Fukuoka/Nagasaki Trip duration: Day trip Transportation: Chartered sightseeing bus, Shimabara Railway Shimatetsu Cafe Train Accommodation: None Meal requirements: Breakfast 0 times, Lunch 1 time, Dinner 0 times Minimum number of participants: 25
Tour conductor: 1
Guides: 0
[Travel planning/implementation]
Company name: Nishitetsu Travel Co., Ltd. Address: 3-16-26 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
Registration number: Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner's Travel Agency Registration No. 579 Travel Association: Regular member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents
Reminders
A minimum of 25 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 10 day(s) before the departure date
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
We cannot accommodate requests to change the contents of your meal, except in cases that may jeopardize your physical safety, such as allergies or dietary restrictions due to medical reasons. We also cannot provide refunds for meals or allow you to take meals home.
Seats on the Shimatetsu Cafe Train may be shared with other passengers. All seats are reserved. Please note that we cannot accept seat requests.
The itinerary may change or arrival time may be delayed due to road conditions, weather, etc. This is a long-distance trip. Please allow sufficient time for connections to onward and reverse transportation.
Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
FAQs
1. Is Shimabara Castle an original structure, or has it been rebuilt?
Shimabara Castle, as seen today, is a reconstruction. The original castle was built between 1618 and 1624 but was extensively damaged and then largely demolished during the Meiji Restoration in 1871. The current castle keep and some turrets were faithfully reconstructed in 1964, based on historical documents and architectural studies, allowing visitors to experience its former grandeur.
2. What is the historical significance of Shimabara Castle in Japan?
Shimabara Castle holds significant historical importance as a symbol of the Shimabara Domain and its feudal rule. It is most famously associated with the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637-1638, a major peasant uprising that profoundly influenced the shogunate's subsequent policy of national isolation. The castle's role in this event makes it a crucial site for understanding Japan's early Edo period history.
3. What are the main attractions and unique characteristics visitors can expect in Shimabara City?
Shimabara City is renowned as the "Water City" due to its abundant, clear spring water that flows openly throughout the town. Key attractions include the reconstructed Shimabara Castle, the picturesque 'Koi no oyugu Machi' (Town of Swimming Koi) where vibrant fish swim in transparent waterways, and the tranquil Shimeiso Spring Water Garden. The city's charming atmosphere and historical depth offer a unique cultural experience.
4. What local gourmet food and sweets are served on the Shimatetsu Cafe Train?
The Shimatetsu Cafe Train offers a delightful culinary journey featuring local gourmet dishes and a selection of three distinct sweets. These special items are crafted using fresh, regional ingredients, providing a unique taste of the Shimabara region. Guests can enjoy a leisurely meal on board while admiring the scenic views of the sea and mountains passing by, making the journey an enjoyable gastronomic experience.
5. What makes the Shimeiso Spring Water Garden a notable site to visit in Shimabara?
Shimeiso Spring Water Garden is notable for its exquisite traditional Japanese garden where crystal-clear spring water continuously flows through its ponds and channels, creating a profoundly serene and picturesque setting. It exemplifies Nagasaki's historical summer resort charm, providing a tranquil escape where visitors can relax by the pristine pools and observe vibrant koi fish in their natural spring-fed environment.
6. What is 'Koi no oyugu Machi' and how does it offer a distinctive koi viewing experience in Shimabara?
'Koi no oyugu Machi,' or the 'Town of Swimming Koi,' is a distinctive attraction in Shimabara where over a thousand colorful koi fish swim freely in the clear, spring-fed waterways that run alongside public streets and through residential areas. This unique environment allows visitors to observe the beautiful fish up close in an open, natural setting, highlighting Shimabara's rich water resources and traditional charm.
7. What unique features define the route of the Shimatetsu Cafe Train, including stops like Daisan-Higashi Station?
The Shimatetsu Cafe Train's route is celebrated for its highly scenic coastal views, offering passengers picturesque glimpses of the sea and mountains of Shimabara. A particularly unique stop is Daisan-Higashi Station, which holds the distinction of being one of the closest stations to the sea in Japan. This allows for breathtaking, unobstructed views directly from the platform and the train itself, making the journey a memorable part of the sightseeing experience.
8. How does Shimabara's abundant spring water enhance the city's natural and cultural attractions?
Shimabara's abundant spring water is integral to its identity and significantly enhances its natural and cultural attractions. It forms the foundation of the 'Koi no oyugu Machi,' where koi thrive in transparent channels, and contributes to the tranquil beauty of the Shimeiso Spring Water Garden. This constant flow of pure water supports lush greenery, creates a unique aesthetic for the cityscape, and reflects the city's deep connection to its pristine natural environment.
