Mt. Unzen Disaster Museum — Attraction in Shimabara

Main message: the museum is built around the concept of reviving the disaster for the visitors and it does so VERY good with the volcano directly in sight and the museum built in the path of destruction. Texts are all in Japanese, but the audio guides are good and allow to dive into the exhibition.

Details:

We came in a little less than 2h before closing time on that day and basically had the whole museum to ourselves. The whole staff greeted us and we felt like on an official state visit. ☺️

The ticket machines are in Japanese only but the staff will help you if needed. At the entrance another staff member held a sign with English information on playing times for a cinema and a little theater (later more on that).

You get an audio guide in several languages. German an English are covered. I think Spanish and French as well. The guide is very helpful because texts at the exhibits are nearly all in Japanese. Just choose the number visible at your spot and press play.

There is little cinema playing a movie that replays the events of the disaster. It is in Japanese, but the audio guide plays translations and explanations in parallel. Worked for me.

Even better is the little theater! It replays the events of the earlier outbreak in 1792 with moving wooden scenery, sound, light and video clips. Made for kids I found myself leaning in totally consumed by the story. Absolutely lovely!

The do it yourself stations for kids are not fully usable if you don't speak the language. But this is just a minor glitch.

A highlight is the glass floor with a post disaster scenery. Every few minutes it simulates the outbreak and gives you an idea how fast a pyroclastic wave at 100kph really is. Frightening. 😬

There is also a volcanic stone walking path and a viewing platform. You could easily spend 4h there, I think. Cafe and vending machines are (of course) available and very affordable.

Very close to the museum is also a set of houses destroyed in the disaster and persevered in their state which gives you an even better understanding of the horrible force that came done back then. No fees charged there.

If some extra texts in English are added, the place is worth more than 5 stars.

I can...

The Mount Unzen Disaster Museum commemorates the eruption of the Unzen volcano between 1990-95. Multiple pyroclastic flows brought disaster and had huge implications regarding the safety of the local population. Costly measurements were taken to prevent future eruptions from causing damage and destruction. The huge concrete dry "river" bed covers the eastern flank of the mountain and channels pyroclastic flows and mudslides away from the city and...

This is a must-see if you are ever in the area. The story of the Mt Uzen disaster can really be felt here. It's completely amazing to experience. If you are an English speaker grab the headphones so you can listen to the story as you walk through each of the visual displays, it makes for a...