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The vibrant red and white Shimatetsu Cafe Train, a popular sightseeing railway, at a station platform overlooking Shimabara's clear blue sea.
[Hakata Station Departure and Arrival] A sightseeing train where you can enjoy local gourmet food and three kinds of sweets | Nishitetsu Travel Chartered Operation | Shimatetsu Cafe Train and the Water City of Shimabara ~ Shimabara Castle, the Town of Swimming Koi, and Nagasaki's Summer Resort, Spring-Water Garden "Shimeiso" ~ (Only Japanese guided tour available on the day)
[Hakata Station Departure and Arrival] A sightseeing train where you can enjoy local gourmet food and three kinds of sweets | Nishitetsu Travel Chartered Operation | Shimatetsu Cafe Train and the Water City of Shimabara ~ Shimabara Castle, the Town of Swimming Koi, and Nagasaki's Summer Resort, Spring-Water Garden "Shimeiso" ~ (Only Japanese guided tour available on the day)

[Hakata Station Departure and Arrival] A sightseeing train where you can enjoy local gourmet food and three kinds of sweets | Nishitetsu Travel Chartered Operation | Shimatetsu Cafe Train and the Water City of Shimabara ~ Shimabara Castle, the Town of Swimming Koi, and Nagasaki's Summer Resort, Spring-Water Garden "Shimeiso" ~ (Only Japanese guided tour available on the day)


Booking confirmation: within 4 days before the departure
Duration:11 hour(s)
Free cancellation 11 day(s) prior to experience date
Please present the e-voucher on-site

  • I want to ride it! Nishitetsu Travel will charter the popular tourist train "Shimatetsu Cafe Train" that runs along the coast
  • Enjoy local gourmet food and three kinds of sweets while looking out at the sea and mountains of Shimabara
  • We will guide you to Shimabara Castle, where the white castle tower stands out against the blue sky, Koi no oyugu Machi, where you can see the beautiful sight of koi swimming in the crystal clear spring water, and Shimeiso Spring Water Garden.
[5% App discount] Code: APP5OFF , HK: APP15HK

Sightseeing Tours

Tour TypeShared tour
Departure TimeStandard Departure (8-9 am)
Minimum participant requirement25 travelers
Meal arrangementLunch included
Sightseeing typeNatural sights, Historic site tour, Bus tour
TransportBus tour

Product Info

The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.

  • [Nishitetsu Travel Private Charter] Enjoy local gourmet food and sweets that can only be tasted here ♪ Ride the Shimatetsu Cafe Train!

Ride the Shimatetsu Cafe Train, a sightseeing train that runs along the coast!
You can enjoy local gourmet food and sweets while feeling the pleasant rocking of the train.
Along the way, the train stops at Omisaki Station, which is said to be the station closest to the sea in Japan.
You can enjoy tea time while gazing at the sea, or write your wishes or messages to your loved ones on a yellow handkerchief and pray for happiness.
Why not write a wish for a special someone as a memento of your trip?

*Yellow handkerchiefs can be purchased at the "Happy Yellow Handkerchief Gachapon" at Daisanto Station (cost: 500 yen per play/cash only).

[Lunch menu and drinks]

May: Chicken hamburger steak, black stick, karinto (red salt), strawberry daifuku
June: Volcano bento, Nagasaki donuts (Shimabara Peninsula brown sugar), Unzen vegetable pudding (potato), Kudzu ice (mandarin orange)
Drinks: Hojicha green tea and Cafe Train special coffee included

*The menu changes every month.
*Meal contents are subject to change depending on the supply situation.
*Juice will be provided for children.

  • Shimabara Castle, which is 400 years old, has a beautiful white castle tower that stands out against the blue sky.

Shimabara Castle, a masterpiece of Japanese castle architecture that has survived many disasters, will celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2024!
The current castle tower was restored in 1964 (Showa 39), and the first floor is a Christian history museum where many related materials are on display, from the period of the famous Christian daimyo Arima Harunobu's trade with the West to the Shimabara Rebellion.

  • A guide to the spring water garden, Shimeiso, in the "Koi no oyaguru machi" (town of swimming carp) where carp swim in crystal clear spring water

Shimeiso Spring Water Garden has been selected as one of the top 10 summer resorts in Nagasaki.
The pond boasts a daily spring water volume of approximately 3,000 tons, and colorful carp swim in it. The garden is decorated with a variety of plants, including red pines and maples, captivating everyone who sees it.

Shimatetsu Cafe Train (image)

Shimatetsu Cafe Train (image)

May lunch menu (image)

A delicious collage showcasing the local gourmet experience on the sightseeing train, featuring a specialty bento box, elegant strawberry dessert, and crispy cookies.

Daisanto Station (image)

A solitary yellow bench on the platform of Shimabara's Oomisumi Station, Japan's closest station to the sea, offering serene views of the vast blue ocean and sky.

Happy Yellow Handkerchief (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.

FAQ

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.

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