Shimabara — Gardens of Hidden Kirishitan
Uncover the secret gardens where Hidden Kirishitan preserved their faith amid persecution. Decode symbols, trace hidden networks, and expose the rebels' final stand before it's lost forever.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
In 17th-century Shimabara, the Hidden Kirishitan—Japanese Catholics forced underground by brutal shogunate edicts—cultivated secret gardens as sanctuaries of faith
Shimabara — Gardens of Hidden Kirishitan
You are a loyal emissary from the Arita clan, dispatched to Shimabara in 1639, tasked with preserving the memory of the Kirishitan and deciphering secrets etched into Shim
Delve into Shimabara's tumultuous history, where the remnants of a feudal castle intertwine with tales of Kyushu's hidden Christians.
The story that haunts this land
Your quest begins at Shimabara Central Park, in the heart of Shimabara city, Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu. This park, near Shimabara Castle, is the ideal starting point to trace the history of the Kirishitan. It is here that the first clues of your mission are revealed, preparing you to explore the historic district and sites related to the Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion in 1637-1638. A visit to Shimabara with family takes on its full meaning here, with a fun approach to Kyushu's heritage.
From there, you head towards Shimabara Castle, an imposing edifice built in 1621 by Matsukura Shigemasa, lord of the Shimabara domain. Its main tower, 33 meters high with 5 floors, is flanked by two secondary buildings of 3 floors each. Inside, a museum showcases the history of Shimabara's hidden Christians, offering insight into the persecutions that marked this region. This historical site, located between Ariake Bay and Mount Unzen, is a major testament to Kyushu's heritage.
Upon leaving the castle, the route takes you through Shimabara Castle Town, a preserved historic district reflecting 17th-century architecture. The streets of this area were the scene of the Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion, a tragic event linked to the hidden Christians. Each building tells a part of Shimabara's history, offering immersion into the city's feudal past. The Shimabara scavenger hunt allows you to decipher the secrets of this Kyushu thematic circuit.
Your stroll continues towards Koi-no-Oyogu-Machi Park, an area of Shimabara known for its freely swimming koi carp near the city center. Located within Shimabara Castle Town, this spot is accessible on foot from Central Park. This local attraction, integrated into the historic district, offers a moment of contemplation before resuming your exploration. It is in this serene setting that new clues await you, revealing little-known aspects of Shimabara's heritage.
The final segment of your interactive Shimabara tour leads you to Shimabara Port, approximately 1 to 1.5 km from Central Park. This port, offering sea views, was a crucial link for ferries to Amakusa and other hidden Christian sites. The Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion is inseparable from these maritime routes. Your exploration of Kyushu's monuments concludes here, with a deeper understanding of Shimabara's history and the role of the Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region in shaping the city.
A game, a guided tour and a heritage guide — all in one
You're not just buying an escape game. You're carrying a living guide — historical anecdotes, forgotten legends, key monuments, hidden architecture — unfolding as you go.
At each stop, places ordinary guides miss — secret façades, sculpted crests, alleys steeped in history.
Every riddle is rooted in a real historical fact or local legend. You leave with dozens of stories to tell.
Learn to read buildings — flamboyant Gothic, Baroque, Art Deco — like a real art historian, while having fun.
Walk through the city like a novel's character — every alley becomes a stage, every square a theatre.
A voice walks with you at every step, tells the story of each place, reads clues, adds a cinematic feel.
Keep access to the guide & game for 1 year. Come back any time, share it with friends.
« You will not leave this city the way you entered it. »
How does it work?
Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.
No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.
One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears and speaks to you in your language. Golden letters magically write themselves on the wall to reveal the puzzle answer.
Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.
French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.
Want to go deeper?
Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person
The Route
8 stages through the city
The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues
At each stop, open your phone camera: an augmented reality character appears on the façade and speaks your language. Hunt the clue — it materializes as golden letters on the real wall or floats in front of you. When you find it, the phone vibrates, an AR chest opens and reveals your answer fragment. 8 stops, 8 clues to find with the camera, 1 final code.
The stops on your route are a surprise. You'll discover them one by one, guided by your phone, starting from the meeting point.
How does it work with a group?
One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).
Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.
Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.
Friends, bachelor/bachelorette, small office outing — each their own code, each plays at their own pace. Tiered pricing then €6 flat per phone from the 6th.
- ✓All codes are independent — play at the same time OR separately, each team advances at its own pace.
- ✓Leaderboard between your teams + global game leaderboard — each score appears in the public ranking.
- ✓More than 10 phones or need a personalized quest? Discover custom tours.
Ready to live this adventure?
Get my code · 12€No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒 Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
Practical info
Why this route?
Decipher Hidden Symbols
Learn to recognize the subtle signs that Kirishitan used to secretly communicate their faith, disguised in everyday life.
Protect an Ancient Secret
Discover the tricks and survival methods of a clandestine community facing feudal Japan's most severe repression.
Walk the Paths of Discretion
Explore seemingly ordinary places in Shimabara that were, for centuries, secret sanctuaries for the faithful.
Truth is a seed, it sprouts even under stone.
Reveal a secret calendar and ensure the survival of a faith.
9 features nobody else has
OddballTrip combines gamified play, augmented reality and AI. All our competitors deliver 1 or 2 of these angles. We deliver all 5.
AR treasure chest
A golden chest floats in front of the monument. Tap → opening animation → reveals a secret message.
AR narrator character
Point your phone at the façade: a knight, witch, monk, sailor, detective or ghost appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language with their dedicated ElevenLabs voice (each character has their own unique voice) — your living guide.
Magic golden letters
At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's the puzzle answer. An unforgettable visual effect.
Written + audio narration
Every puzzle available as text AND voice-over: read at your own pace or listen eyes-free while walking. Great in groups and for accessibility.
360° radar + vibration
A mini-radar shows the target even behind you, and the phone vibrates when you aim in the right direction.
Heritage storytelling
Every puzzle weaves in real historical facts (architecture, era, anecdotes). You learn by playing — like a gamified audioguide.
Progressive AI hints
3 levels of AI-generated help: vibe → where to look → answer format. You're never stuck.
AR selfie memento
At the end of the game, capture a selfie with OddballTrip banner + mascot, shareable on Instagram, TikTok.
Zero app to install
PWA technology: open the link, it plays in your browser. Same quality as an app, no App Store hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Do I need to download an app?
No, never. You get a link, you click, it plays in your browser. That's the point of a PWA: same as an app, without the hassle.
Q02Does it work offline?
GPS yes (handled by your phone). Maps yes (tiles cached). AI and hints need an intermittent 4G connection.
Q03How long does a game take?
1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. The timer runs but only for the leaderboard — you play at your own tempo.
Q04What happens if I'm stuck?
You get 3 levels of hints per puzzle (increasing penalty). If truly stuck, you can skip the step (45-min penalty but you keep going).
Q05What's the age range?
From 12 without an adult, from 6 with an adult reading puzzles. Works for families, couples, friend groups, companies.
Q06What if my city isn't in the catalogue?
Pre-register or contact us — we'll email you as soon as your city is live.
Q07What is augmented reality exactly?
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language. At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's your answer. After each puzzle solved, a treasure chest floats in front of you. Seeing is believing.
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Your turn to play
Delve into Shimabara's tumultuous history, where the remnants of a feudal castle intertwine with tales of Kyushu's hidden Christians.
1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.
No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
🪙+24 TripCoins granted with your booking
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