Water so clear you can see all the way to the bottom of the canal. Brightly colored koi glide through it at an easy pace.

“Koi-no-Oyogu-Machi (Carp Swimming Town)” isn’t the kind of attraction that wins you over with noise and bustle—it’s a place that helps you reset.

What kind of place is “Koi-no-Oyogu-Machi (Carp Swimming Town)”?

One of Shimabara’s signature sights—the City of Water—“Koi-no-Oyogu-Machi (Carp Swimming Town)”.

A 100-meter canal where koi swim gives the area its name.

Natural spring water bubbles up throughout Shimabara, and the “Shimabara Spring Water Group” has been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Exquisite and Well-Conserved Waters.

The highlight isn’t a grand building or flashy production—it’s the clarity found in everyday life. The sparkle of the water, the calm of the stone paths, the gentle movement of the koi. Together, they leave you with a memory of the air itself.

Three soothing spots you can do on foot

In “Koi-no-Oyogu-Machi (Carp Swimming Town)”, you’ll find several must-stop spots clustered within an easy walking area.

Here’s the order we recommend.

1. Shimeiso: Savor a spring-fed garden in peaceful quiet
2. Shimabara Yusui-kan: Take a sweet break—and browse souvenirs
3. Seiryutei: End your stroll by choosing a “very Shimabara” item to take home

Feast with your eyes, reset your mind, unwind with sweets, and finish with the joy of “bringing something back.”

1) Spring-Fed Garden | Shimeiso

Your first stop should be Shimeiso.

The moment you step inside, the atmosphere shifts—and a spring-fed garden opens up before you.

Rather than “sightseeing,” this is a place where sitting and simply looking helps you feel centered.

Even on days when you’re thinking, “I’m busy, I can only spare a short time,” you’re fine here. Ten to twenty minutes is more than worth it.

Watch the flowing water, take a deep breath, and sit with the quiet for just a moment. That alone makes the rest of your walk feel noticeably better.

Learn more about Shimeiso

2) Unwind with spring-water sweets | Shimabara Yusui-kan

If you’re thirsty after walking, head to Shimabara Yusui-kan.

Here you can take a relaxing break with sweets and drinks made with Shimabara’s spring water—like the local favorite “Kanzarashi.”

After enjoying the “City of Water” with your eyes at Shimeiso, slow down with something sweet. That alone lifts your sense of satisfaction for the whole trip.

Learn more about Yusui-kan

3) Take home a taste of Shimabara | Seiryutei

Last stop: Seiryutei.

Pick up a to-go set of the popular sweet “Kanzarashi,” plus Seiryutei-only items.

Learn more about Seiryutei

Finally | Take a slow, deep breath in Koi-no-Oyogu-Machi

“Koi-no-Oyogu-Machi (Carp Swimming Town)” offers a refined kind of quiet.

Crystal-clear water, koi gliding slowly, calm alleyways. The more you walk, the more you feel yourself reset—something you can only experience on site.

When you come to Shimabara, don’t rush. Don’t compare. Make time to breathe.

*Business hours, admission fees, and offerings may change. Please check the latest information for each facility before your visit.

Nearby paid parking

● King Port Jumbo Parking Lot
113 Shinmachi 2-chome, Shimabara, Nagasaki 855-0803, Japan

● Koi-no-Oyogu-Machi / Reikyu Community Center Parking
100 Bentenmachi 1-chome, Shimabara, Nagasaki 855-0803, Japan

● Gamadasu Parking (Yutorogi-no-Yu)
171-3 Horimachi, Shimabara, Nagasaki 855-0808, Japan

If you’re also visiting Shimabara Castle, the “Megurin Ticket” is a great deal

The “Shimabara Megurin Ticket” includes a combo admission ticket for Shimabara Castle and Shimeiso, plus discount purchases at Seiryutei and the Shimabara Castle Honmaru shop—an excellent value!

Consider buying one to go along with your stroll around Koi-no-Oyogu-Machi.

Let’s explore Shimabara Affordably! “Shimabara Megurin Ticket”