West coast of Amakusa Shimoshima · Jūsanbutsu Park

Amakusa West Coast (Sunset Line) Stepping out at Jūsanbutsu Park to watch dusk fall

If you're driving along Amakusa's west coast in the evening, make time to get out at Jūsanbutsu Park. Just before sunset in late October, I paused beside the car to look at the sea showing through the trees. The light from the west softened, and I found myself wanting to stay longer than I usually do on a break.

Read about the views I found on my late-October drive along the Amakusa West Coast (Sunset Line), just before sunset.

In the car park at Jūsanbutsu Park, a woman in a burgundy cardigan and long beige pleated skirt stands beside a red car, looking toward the sea beyond the trees at left. The parking bay lines, wheel stops, road and trees are lit by the last light before sunset.

AutumnLate October, just before sunset

Stepping out at Jūsanbutsu Park to watch dusk fall

One late-October evening, my friend and I enjoyed a drive along Amakusa's west coast and pulled into the car park at Jūsanbutsu Park. From here, you can look out over the coast from Myōkenura to Shiratsuruhama. Before going to enjoy the view, I parked between the white bay markings and switched off the engine. When I opened the door, light was coming in from the west, and I turned toward the sea.

Beyond the car park were low shrubs and a road, with a row of trees farther back. I glanced to the left and spotted the sea between the trees. I could see the sea from right beside the car, but stepping out let me feel the breeze too. I loosely clasped my hands behind my back and felt like standing there a little longer.

My skirt hem fluttered in the breeze, and the air felt a little cooler than it had in the afternoon. From the other side of the car, my friend called, 'You can see the sea from here.' I nodded and kept looking up at the sky for a little longer.

The evening light caught the edges of the clouds, and the sky above the sea was still bright. Usually, I want to take photos as soon as I reach a destination, but today I wanted to pause and take it all in first. There was no need to hurry back to the car, so my friend and I headed off for a walk to enjoy the park's views.

It's nice to pick one of the many sunset viewpoints along the west coast and give it some time as you drive. I made this my last stop of the day, and my friend and I waited for dusk while looking out at the sea.

Next time I drive around Amakusa, I'd like to stop for Amakusa champon in Kawaura Town at lunchtime before heading to the west coast. I've also been curious about champon made with dashi stock from Ushibuka's blend of dried fish. Thinking about the seaside song I want to listen to on the way home, my friend and I headed back to the car. Even this short evening stop gave me one more memory from the day's drive.

The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.

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West coast of Amakusa Shimoshima · Jūsanbutsu Park · Autumn

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Local specialty

Amakusa Champon

At EAT 730 in Kawaura Town, the champon comes with vegetables, pork and a marinated egg in a soy sauce broth made with the first dashi stock drawn from Ushibuka's blend of dried fish. I'd love to try it for lunch on my next trip.

Highlights

An evening stop at Jūsanbutsu Park

A park where you can enjoy sunsets along Amakusa's west coast. After parking, get out of the car and take in the view stretching from Myōkenura to Shiratsuruhama.

Pick a sunset spot along the west coast

The west coast of Amakusa Shimoshima is also known as the Sunset Line. There are several spots where you can watch the sun sink into the sea, and choosing where to stop is part of the fun of the drive.

Road and walking information

Access to Jūsanbutsu Park

Distance from the national route to the park: 1.5km (heading west from the traffic light on National Route 389)
Road to the park: Jūsanbutsu Line

The stretch from the traffic light just before Takahama Tunnel's Misumi-side entrance on National Route 389 to the park car park.

The 1.5km in the table is the stretch from the national route to the park. Try making this a stop on your coastal drive and take a break to enjoy the evening view.