The ferry dock is in a bay like a sea shell, crimped in even waves. Many years ago, in the channel waters outside this bay, the booming of another type of shell resounded on blood soaked hillsides. Hara castle, site of a doomed Christian rebellion in the early seventeenth century, is nearby these quiet waters. Bridges have now been built rather than burned in southern Shimabara, and it affords a scenic and unscathed ferry passage. The ferry dock is a part of the Shimatetsu transportation line. We reached it by a Shimatetsu bus from the Shimabara bus terminal, a 1150 yen ride alongside the sun bridling water, beach, and the volcanic upturn of land to looming Mt. Unzen. The area by the port is the cozy counterpart to the dramatic seaside bus route. If you take the bus, disembark at Kuchinotsu (口之津 ) stop. The ferry port terminal building is an off-white and just to the street side. It's just in front of the single docking space for ferries as well, one that leaves no dizzying departure choices to sea. Head indoors for your ticket. The inside has rows of waiting seating facing the windows, which almost all the wall space is hung with timetables and tourism posters. Only middle-aged and elderly lingered, facing the sightless window space, nothing to see. Ticket purchase is ascertained at the counter space. If you have any confusion, the clerks will provide you with fold-out information pamphlets. If things are still unclear, look above you at the timetables and price guides spread clear as a cloudless bay. Reservations are not required. With your ticket, ¥360 one-way for adults, don't sit in the utilitarian insides of the ticketing building. Outside is a small park looking out to the village around the cape bend. A couple seats sit on the corner closest to the dock, though as the designated tobacco area, a smoky haze might accompany you. The ferry - aptly named Amakusa Ferry 1 or 2, arrives at Kuchinotsu alternately every 45 minutes and hour from 6:30 to 18:30. Boarding, we fared away upon the ferry.  The amenities were well-prepared for more than the simple half-hour ride . The lounge had comfy cushioned seats and, oriented forwards, one could sit and enjoy a small block of television for the ride’s duration.  Instead, we busied ourselves brushing teeth and staying on the top deck. Though the Amakusa Ferry 2 only has deck space open to its rear, it affords a better view than the cabin space. The reverse view swept over the ocean-facing hills of the seaside, built with a resort that seemed like a seagull trinket, washed clean and shining yet out-of-place and outdated. No concerns, this southern snub of Shimabara fit the lazy-waved welcome to Amakusa. Across Shimabara bay, the ferry's empty deck was all ours to see.

Amakusa Ferry Access:

From Nagasaki, take the JR Nagasaki line to Isahaya. Take either the limited express at 15 minutes and 1000 yen, or local train at 460 yen and 30 minutes.

From Isahaya, take a train to Shimabara. Take the Shimabara railway from Isahaya to Shimabara at 70 minutes and 1430 yen.

From Shimabara city, take a Shimatetsu Bus to Kuchinotsu port. These depart from Shimatetsu bus terminal in Shimabara.  The ride takes 1150 yen and about one hour.

 

The post Amakusa Ferry from Shimabara, Nagasaki appeared first on VOYAPON.