Nita Pass

Nita Pass cuts across the Unzen volcanic range on the Shimabara Peninsula, and the drive up from Unzen Onsen town alone is worth the trip. Autumn turns the mountainsides fiery red and orange, and spring brings pink azaleas covering the same slopes. A ropeway from the pass lifts visitors to the summit of Myoken-dake for panoramic views of the Ariake Sea, the Amakusa Islands, and the volcanic terrain. Just below, the sulfurous pools and boiling mud of Unzen Jigoku add a geological drama that rounds out any visit to the area.