"Unzen Bunka Biyori" (雲仙文化日和) will be held in the Unzen Onsen town on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (national holiday).
Unzen and the Shimabara Peninsula have been nurtured by rich nature, including volcanoes, the sea, and hot springs. The blessings of the land have been passed down into daily food, handcrafts, and the culture of everyday life.
Unzen Bunka Biyori is an autumn day to meet the people who live, make things, and pass on culture in this land. Using food such as tea and miso, local hata (ハタ) making, crafts, and music as entry points, the event offers time to see, eat, make, and listen to stories while experiencing the local culture.
By hearing about the materials the makers choose and the thoughts they put into their work, visitors can encounter the stories unique to this land that lie behind the food and handcrafts.
A free town walk led by a professional guide is also planned for the day. While touring Unzen Jigoku (雲仙地獄), where steam rises from the hot springs, the guide introduces how hot springs and local life have been connected. Learning about the scenery through its connection with the people who live there broadens the enjoyment of walking in Unzen.
The organizers hope that meeting people at the venue, walking around the town, and learning about the background will lead to the next trip, with thoughts such as "I want to visit this person's shop next" or "I want to explore the Shimabara Peninsula more."
For a trip enjoying autumn leaves and hot springs, the event offers a moment to interact with local people and to encounter the food and culture of the Shimabara Peninsula in autumn Unzen.
What Is Unzen Bunka Biyori?
This is a one-day autumn event where visitors can meet the culture woven by the people and things rooted in the Shimabara Peninsula, and learn about the lives and thoughts behind it.
For those visiting Unzen, the organizers want to create time that goes beyond viewing autumn leaves and scenic views, so that visitors come to feel "I'm glad I met this person" and "I want to know more about this land." The event was planned as a place to get to know the Shimabara Peninsula through people who share:
- Why they make things in this land
- What materials and nature they work with
- What thoughts they bring to their work
Visitors can see, eat, make, listen, and walk, and feel Unzen with their whole body.
Highlights
01 Taste: Food from the Shimabara Peninsula
Visitors can enjoy local food, including roasted and sold Unzen tea, miso soup made with local miso, and Obama champon (小浜ちゃんぽん), a specialty of Obama Onsen.
02 Make: Handcrafts Passed Down
The hata-making experience by 愛のまち剣舞筝保存会 and the craft experience by 雲仙お山の情報館 convey the fun of learning from local people.
03 Walk and Learn: Tracing the History of Unzen
Visitors can walk through Unzen Jigoku (雲仙地獄), where steam rises, with a professional guide. This free town walk explores the relationship between the hot springs and local life while introducing the history and culture of Unzen. Learning the stories behind the scenery offers a different side of Unzen from an ordinary stroll.
04 Meet: Talk with the Makers
Interaction with the makers and sellers who bring the charm of the region is one of the appeals of the event. Visitors can learn about the thoughts put into goods, ingredients, and dishes, and enjoy meeting local people beyond simply tasting the food.
Note: The vendors and experience content may change due to circumstances.
Vendors and Activities
- ハルマチ会 (yakisoba sales)
- 小浜ちゃんぽん愛好会 (Obama champon sales)
- 長田製茶 (Unzen tea sales and roasting)
- 愛のまち剣舞筝保存会 (hata-making experience)
- 刈水庵 (product sales)
- 吾妻みそ (miso and miso soup sales)
- 雲仙お山の情報館 (craft experience)
- Town walk guide (Unzen Onsen town, Unzen Jigoku, etc.)
- Jazz band (performance)
- 雲仙ビードロ美術館 (glass-making experience)
- 雲仙焼 (pottery experience)
Event Details
- Event name: Unzen Bunka Biyori (雲仙文化日和)
- Date and time: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (national holiday), 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Venue: Unzen Onsen town (former Yumoto Hotel site, 湯元ホテル跡地)
- Activities: Food and goods sales, hata-making, crafts, music, free guided town walk, and more
- Notes: The event will be held in light rain and canceled in case of severe weather.
- Latest event information: https://www.instagram.com/unzen_destination_service/
