[Nagasaki Prefecture] Spectacular autumn foliage at this natural monument! Mount Unzen Fugen in Shimabara

Mount Unzen Fugen stands tall in the center of the Shimabara Peninsula in Nagasaki Prefecture. It is still an active volcano, and the lava dome created by the large-scale eruption in the 1990s is affectionately known as "Heisei Shinzan." Its altitude is not very high at around 1,400m, and you can take a ropeway partway up the mountain, so it is a beginner to intermediate level climber, and it is also possible to do a day trip. The autumn leaves of Unzen are so beautiful that they have been designated a natural monument as the "Fugen-dake Autumn Forest," which includes mountain maples and rowan trees, and the fiery red of the leaves is a masterpiece! The best time to see them is usually late October to early November. When I visited, it was unfortunately raining and foggy, but I was determined to climb to the top! ⁠ photo on Nov 05, 2021⁠ ⁠ Mt. Unzen Fugen-dake is the 2nd highest peak of the Unzen volcano massif which dominates the Shimabara peninsula, the east of Nagasaki pref, Kyushu region of Japan. Unzen is well-known as one of active volcanoes and peaked in a period from 1990 to 1995. The most severe eruption on June 13, 1991 was killed 34 dead and more victims. Now it keeps calm. Anyway, in full of deep fall, it's so stunning even it rained.⁠ #tripdomestic travel #autumn leaves #Nagasaki prefecture #scenic view #climbing