Nagasaki travel guide

 

The city in harmony with foreign countries culture

 

Nagasaki-city has many oversea countries cultures and the significant Japanese

histories like no other areas.

The fascinating Nagasaki-city has been created since Japan began exchanging with foreign

countries during the National isolation period.

 

In addition to above features, the geographical conditions are creating fascinating tourism and

now many tourists are visiting here.

---

 

 Historical features  

 

1）Natioanl isolataion in Japan

     Nagasaki is the only place opened to oversea countries ( just Dutch and China ) during the

     National isolation period from 1639 to 1854.

     And trading with Dutch was done at artificial island Dejima.

 

2) Hidden Christian

    Japan’s unique practice of the Christian faith continued in Nagasaki region even during the ban

    on Christianity from 1587 to 1859. In 2018,  Hidden Christian Sites in Nagasaki region is

    registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage.

 

3) Japan’s Industry modernization

    Shipbuilding, and Coal Mining, industries in Nagasaki were great contributed Japan’s Industry

    modernization. And 5 sites of these industries are registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage as

    Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution         

 

4) Atomic bomb

    The Atomic bomb exploded at 11:02 a.m. on August 9, 1945.

    The most part of Nagasaki was destroyed, and a tremendous number of lives were lost.

    Nagasaki is now appealing for World Peace, Disastrous War must not be repeated.

 

​

---

 

 

Peace Park

Established in 1955 near the Ground Zero where the Atomic Bomb was dropped 

at 11:02 am on Aug. 09, 1945.

Peace Memorial Ceremony is held in front of the statue on August 9 every year and

the Mayor of Nagasaki makes the “Nagasaki peace declaration” for the whole world.

 

Peace Statue Completed in 1955, ten years after the atomic bombing

Peace Fountain Reminds the tragic scene unfolded shortly after the dropped Atomic Bomb

Ground Zero The Atomic bomb exploded about 500m over the central  monument

---

 

 UNESCO World Heritages sites  

 

 Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution

 

The origin of Japan’s modernization is here.  Under the growing sense of crisis over a

foreign menace, Nagasaki supported the introduction of Western countries technology,

which started during the last years of Japan’s National isolation period. With “ Dejima ”

as the only window to West during the period of National isolation.

Nagasaki contributed for Shipbuilding and Coal Mining and 7 sites have been

registered on the UNESCO World Heritage.

 

---

 

  Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region 

 

Oura Cathedral  / UNESCO World Heritage

Basilica of Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan.     

One of the famous landmarks in Nagasaki-city, was built in 1865 under the supervision of 

the French priest Bernard Petitjean. It was designated as a National Treasure in 1933 for

its value as Japan’s oldest Gothic-style cathedral.

 

Entrance gate of Oura Cathedral

Japan’s oldest Gothic-style Cathedral building

Statue of Mary, at entrance of Cathedral, installed in 1867

---

 

Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan     

Nishizaka hill, the site of Martyrdom in 1597

The martyrs said that  ” All people, bless God ”

The 26 Japanese martyrs have  been canonized in 1862

---

 

Sotome area Hidden Christian Site   / UNESCO World Heritage     

When he discovered the underground Christians, Petitjean realized that there were many other

Christians hiding in the Sotome region.

He appointed de Rotz as the parish priest of the Shitsu and Kurosaki districts.    

 

Shitsu Church

Former Shitsu Aid Centre

The statue of Mary

---

 

 Other Featured destinations  

 

Mount Inasa   World’s three great night veiw  can be seen from the summit

Magane-bashi bridge The oldest stone arch bridge in Japan

Kazagashira Park Magnificent view of Nagasaki, on the other side of Mt. Inasa

 

Dejima Only the trading port in Japan  during Natinal isolation

Urakami Cathedral Newly constructed church, after destroyed by Atomic bomb

Sofukuji temple  The first Chinese style temple in Nagasaki

---

 

China town One of the three big China  town in Japan

Confucius Shrine   The world’s only Confucian shrine built outside China by Chinese hands

Suwa Shrine The spiritual and cultural hub for the citizens of Nagasaki

---

 

Nagaaski Wharf Elegant international & domestic tourist harbour

Kofukuji Temple A Chinese temple to pray for safe navigation

Nagasaki Pearl Nagasaki-prefecture is the birthplace of pearls

---

 

 Featured tours related to Nagasaki-city 

 

・ Nagasaki one-day tour

・ Nagasaki / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites one-day tour

・ Nagasaki / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 3 days tour

・ Nagasaki / UNESCO Industrial Revolution one-day tour       

・ 11 days Kyushu tour

・ 8 days Northern & Central Kyushu tour

・ 6 days North-West Kyushu tour

 

---

　　 

 

 

 

Munakara & Fukutsu / UNESCO Sacred region one-day tour

 

Munakata and Fukutsu are located in the west part of Fukuoka-prefecture and

facing to Genkai Sea.

The Sacred Island Okinoshiam and Associated site in the Munakata Region

has been registered on the UNESCO Wlorld Heritage in 2016.

 

This tour introduce UNESCO World Heritage and related places in Munakata and Fukutsu.

 

---

 

Tour condition

・Departure and disbandment place is in Fukuoka-city

    or departure place can be changed to Kitakyushu Airport, if you arrive there

・Chartered vehicle is used

・English speaking guide accompany the tour

   Chinese or Korean speaking guide also can be organized

 

---

 

 Itinerary  

 

9:00 Depart Fukuoka-city

Transfer to Munakata

Exploring Munakata

　Munakata Shrine Hetsu-gu → Takamiya Saijo

　Lunch at Munakata

Transfer Fukutsu

Exploring Fukutsu

   Shinbaru-Nuyama Mounted Tombs →　Miyajidake Shrine →　Sake Brewery

Transfer to Fukuoka-city

17:00 Arrive  Fukuoka-city

 

---

 

 Where to explore

 

Munakata Shrine Hetsu-gu  / UNESCO World Heritage

Hetsu-gu is one of the three shrines that comprise Munakata Shrine and enshrines

Ichikishimahime-no-Kami, one of the three female deities of Munakata.  Visitors passing

through the torii gate and proceeding along the path will find the Main Hall, dedicated to

Ichikishimahime-no-Kami, beyond the Shinmon gate. 

 

Torii Gate

Entrance

Shrine main building

---

 

Takamiya Saijo

The steps lead to Takamiya Saijo (Ceremonial Site), where ancient rituals were performed.
Takamiya Saijo is very important since the rituals currently observed at Hetsu-gu originated there.
To the northwest of the ceremonial site, visitors can view the marine route linking Hetsu-gu with

Okinoshima via the Tsurikawa River, Oshima, and finally across the Genkai Sea.

 

Entrance of Takamiya Saijo

Worship at Takamiya Saijo

Takamiya Saijo Japan’s oldest  Ancient style Shrine

---

 

Shinbaru-Nuyama Mounted Tombs  / UNESCO World Heritage

The Tomb Group comprises the tombs of the Munakata clan, an ancient powerful family that led

interactions with overseas countries. The Munakata clan also performed rituals on Okinoshima

and nurtured the tradition of faith in in the sacred island.

 

---

 

Miyajidake Shrine

The Shimenawa is the biggest in Japan.

Surprisingly, weight is 3ton, with 2.6m diameter and 11m length.

Shimenawa is the thick, twisted, straw rope. It was believed in ancient days that a Shimenawa

had the power to keep off evil sprits, so many objects connected with Shinto Shrines decorated.

 

---

 

Sake Brewery, Katsuya Shuzo

Katsuya Shuzo is a renown local Sake brewery has long history, established in 1790.

The Goshinshu or dedicated Sake to deity for Munakata Shrine is being made this Brewey.

Recommended Sake are Okinoshina, Naranoki and Genkainada.

 

---

 

Amakusa / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 2 days tour

 

Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region 

has been registered on  UNESCO World Heritage in 2018

 

Japanese Christianity has a long history of continuing faith while coexisting with

Japanese traditional religion Shinto and General society.

 

Japan’s unique practice of the Christian faith continued even during the ban on

Christianity.

Hidden Christian Site in Nagasaki,  Shimabara and Amakusa Regions bear unique

testimony to the tradition of people and their communities who secretly transmitted

their faith in Christianity while surviving in the midst of the conventional society and its

religions during the time of prohibition.

 

Amakusa is the birthplace of Amakusa Shiro who was the leader of Shimabara

Rebellion occurred in Shimabara in 1637.

And there are two World Heritage sites in Amakusa ; Oe Cathedral and Sakitsu Village.

 

The tour introduces how Christians have been continued their faith since Christianity was

propagated to Japan, by visiting Hidden Christian sites in Amakusa in Kumamoto-prefecture.

 

---

 

 

Tour condition

・Start and end place of the tour : Fukuoka-city

・Places to be visited :  Amakusa,  Kumamoto-prefecture

・Duration : 1 nights and 2 days

・Transportation : Chartered vehicle

 

---

 

 Itinerary  

 

Day 1

8:00 Depart   Fukuoka-city

Transfer to  Amakusa via Kumamoto ( 3 hours )

Travel Amakusa Gokyo / Pearl line

Visit Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall

Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites : Oe Cathedral , Sakitsu Village

Stay at Amakusa

 

Day 2

Exploring Amakusa

 Tomioka Castle Ruins , Matushima area

Amakusa Cruise

Transfer to  Fukuoka-city

17:00 Arrive at Fukuoka-city

 

---

 

 Where to Explore

 

 Day 1  

 

Amakusa Gokyo / Pearl line

Amakusa Gokyo or Amakusa five bridges, is a general term for five bridges which connects from

Misumi at the Udo peninsula to the Oyano island, the Nagaura island, Ikejima, Maejima, and

Amakusa Kamishima, was built in 1966. The area on the National road route 266 called as the Pearl Line.

 

First Bridge

Second Bridge

Fourth Bridge

---

 

Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall

The theme Museum shows History of Christianity in Amakusa and Shimabara Rebellion

in Harajo Castle Ruins which was a peasant uprising agaist bakufu’s persecution of Christians

under the leadership of Amakusa Shiro in 1637.

 

---

 

Oe Cathedral / UNESCO World Heritage

The oldest Catholic Church in Amakusa and was one of the first churches built right after the ban

on Christianity was lifted. The and Romanesque-style architecture and the chalky white structure

was rebuilt in 1933 by a French missionary priest named Father Garnier using his own money and

contributions from local Christians living in the area.

 

---

 

Sakitsu Village  / UNESCO World Heritage

A Gothic-looking church is located on a cove of a fishing village. In 1934, a French priest

Augustin Halbout MEP purchased the premises of the former village headman and built a

wooden and concrete finished church, with Tetsukawa Yosuke’s design and construction.

He placed the altar at the very site where fumie or a test to ensure non-allegiance to

Christianity had been conducted.

 

 

---

 

 Day 2  

 

Tomioka Castle Ruins

Tomioka Castle was built in 1602, one year after Terasawa Shimanokami hirotaka came to Amakusa.

Although Amakusa ruled by proxy for Terasawa from Tomioka Castle, he revelled with his army in

the Shimabara Rebellion in 1637. After the rebellion, Yamasaki Kainokami Ieharu ruled from the castle,

and which was restored and enlarged to its present form. 

 

---

 

Amakusa Cruise

Connecting the islands of Amakusa with the inland of Kumamoto via the Uto Peninsula are

Amakusa Gokyo or Amakusa Five Bridge. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Amakusa

from the sea on a cruise.

 

---

 

Exploring featured sites

Sengan moutain Observatory

Ariage Octopus Street

Oppai Stone or breast stone

---

 

 Featured tours related to Hidden Christian sites  

 

・ Nagasaki / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites one-day tour

・ Nagasaki / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 3 days tour

・ Amakusa / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 2 days tour

 

---

 

 Contact us   

UNESCO / Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution

 

Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution

Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining

are a group of historic sites that played an important part in the industrialization

of Japan in the Bakumatsu during National isolation period and Meiji periods,

and are part of the industrial heritage of Japan.

 

The UNESCO World Heritages consist of eight areas with thirty component sites located

throughout Japan from Northern part Tohoku to Kyushu.

 

Kyushu has 5 areas with 16 sites as follows;

● Kitakyushu : 4 sites for Iron and Steel

● Miike (Omuta, Arao and Misumi)  : 3 sites for Coal Mining

● Saga : 1 site for Shipbuilding

● Nagasaki : 5 sites for Shipbuilding and Coal Mining

● Kagoshima : 3 sites for Iron and Steel

 

---

 

 Kitakyushu  

 

The four sites of Yawata Steel Works in Kitakyushu area have been inscribed 

as Iron and Steel Industry.

The buildings of The Imperial Steel Works, Japan at Yawata Works NSSMC are the surviving

components of Asia’s first successful integrated iron and steel works: the State-run Imperial Steel

Works opened in 1901. It is located in the northernmost part of Fukuoka Prefecture, the north end

of Kyushu, 8 km south of Hibiki-Nada Seashore close to the continent of China.Their present-day

setting is still a working industrial landscape set in the southeastern section of NSSMC Yawata

Works which, for over a century, has consistently maintained a leading role in the Japanese steel

industry. NSSCM, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation is one of the world leading steel

manufacturers.

 

---

 

 Miike  

 

Miike Coal Mine, Railway and Port forms a Western-style linear coal mining landscape located

in the southernmost part of Fukuoka Prefecture and the northernmost part of Kumamoto Prefecture,

bordering the Ariake Sea to the west. The mines are situated in the relatively flat and low-lying area,

to the south of Omuta City and the north of Arao City which developed as industrial cities centred on

Miike Mine. Miike Coal Mine and transport infrastructure sites are physically linked and comprise

 

---

 

 Saga  

 

The former (1858-71) ship repair and shipbuilding yard at Mietsu is one of Japan’s pioneer

Westernstyle maritime facilities. Most of the site is located in the present-day Riverside Park,

Hayatsue, Kawasoe-machi, on the southern outskirts of Saga City, Saga Prefecture.

The site, much of it a buried structure, lies on the western bank of a 90° meander in the Hayatsue River,

a tributary channel of the Chikugo River near its mouth, just over 6 km north of the northern shore of the

Ariake Sea. Mietsu had been a mooring facility, with warehouses, since at least the latter half of the

eighteenth century and the Ofunate-Keikosho was expanded as a training facility for operating

Western style ships in 1858.

 

---

 

 Nagasaki  　

 

The natural harbour and commercial city at the mouth of the Urakami River already had a long

history of interaction with Europe, China and Southeast Asia. Throughout the Japanese isolation

period (1639-1854) Dutch traders were the principal foreign power permitted to remain in Japan,

being confined to the tiny island of Dejima. In 1854, the Tokugawa Shogunate’s response to

Perry’s visit was to build a navy. They lifted the ban on building large ships and established the

Nagasaki Naval Training Institute and Nagasaki Foundry. Following on from the Shogunate’s

foundations, Mitsubishi’s shipyard turned out many of Japan’s greatest vessels. The company

also pioneered its undersea coal mines, the first to be developed with Western technology,

and which supported the global naval and commercial network of steamships operating in

East Asia and the Pacific.

 

---

 

 Kagoshima

 

The site is located on the western side of Kagoshima (Kinko) Bay, formed from the collapsed Aira

volcanic caldera and dominated by the active Sakurajima stratovolcano, and is backed by sheer

and wooded cliff faces traversed by narrow valleys. Shuseikan is a National Historic Site. Sengan-en,

the location and setting for the Shuseikan complex, was a garden created by the 19th Lord Mitsuhisa

Shimadzu in 1658.

 

---

 

 Featured tours related to UNESCO World Heritage Sites

 

・ Kitakyushu / UNESCO Industry Revolution one-day tour          

・ Nagasaki / UNESCO Industrial Revolution one-day tour       

 

---

 

 Contact us   

Kitakyushu / UNESCO Industry Revolution one-day tour

 

Kitakyushu-city is the birth place of Steel Making Industry in Japan and contributed greatly

to the development of the Japanese industry modernization.

The four sites of Yawata Steel Works in Kitakyushu area have been inscribed on UNESCO

World Heritage as Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution in 2015.

 

And also, Kitakyushu-city is leading World environment as the Environmental Future City

selected by Japanese Government and also designated as the first ‘ Model City for Green Growth ‘

in Asia by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2011.

 

This tour introduce how Kitakyushu-city contributed to Japan’s industrial modernization with

unprecedented speed in the world and also the history to Environmental Future City can be

learned while visiting World Heritage sites and related Industry Heritages.

 

---

 

Tour condition

・Departure and disbandment place is in Fukuoka-city

    or departure place can be changed to Kitakyushu-city , if you stay there

・Chartered vehicle is used

 

---

 

  Itinerary  

 

8:00 Depart Fukuoka-city

Transfer to Kitakyushu-city using Kyushu Expressway, 1 hours 

Visite World Heritage and related site in Kitakyushu

 Kitakyushu Innovation Gallery Studio   →　Higashida No.1 Blast Furnace

 First Head Office the Steel Works  UNESCO World Heritage

Lunch at Otani-kaikan Hall

Kawachi Reservoir  →　Minami Kawachi bridge

Onga River Pump Station　UNESCO World Heritage

Transfer to Fukuoka-cuty

18:00 Arrive at Fukuoka-city

 

---

 

 Where to visit

 

Kitakyushu Innovation Gallery Studio

Museum of Industrial Technology, in April 2007, based on this theme of “innovation,

” the Kitakyushu Innovation Gallery & Studio (KIGS) opened in Yahata, Higashida, 

where Japan’s mordern steel industry operation was started. 

 

Museum Building

World Heritage, Meiji Japan’s Industry Revolution

Introducing Industry innovation history of Japan

---

 

Higashida No.1 Blast Furnace

The only one in the world, the Blast Furnace which was actually used until 1972, is preserved

as it was.   This place is the birth place of Japan’s modern steel industry began in 1901 and It

contributed greatly to the development of the Japanese steel industry.

 

---

 

First Head Office of the Steel Works 

Built in 1899, ahead of production facilities.

It is an architectural fusion of Japanese and European design, a two story red brick building

with bilateral symmetry and a central dome set in a Japanese tile roof.

 

World leading rails producing in the Steel Works

First Head Office building registered on the World Heritage

Observation deck of the World Heritage

---

 

Otani-kaikan Hall

Built in 1927, opened as an employee club of the then-owned Yawata Steel Works

The western-style building of Art Deco style architecture. 
The Hall building received the Kitakyushu City Architectural Culture Award in 1989. 

 

---

 

Kawachi Reservoir

The reservoir for supplying water to Yawata Steel Works; the construction took 8 years and was

completed in 1927.  The concept of the designer Hisanori Numata was “Civil engineering is an

eternal monument”. The Dam in harmony with nature, is imaged European Castle and  

the volume 7milion cubic metre reservoir.

 

---

 

 Minami Kawachi-bashi bridge

---

 

Onga River Pump Station

Built in 1910 on the east bank of the Onga River.
It served, and still serves, to deliver industrial water to Yawata via an 11.4 km pipeline.

This supply is integral to the steel production process and was necessary to cope with the 

1st phase expansion of the Imperial Steel Works.

 

Onga River

Onga River Pump Station

Water piping to the Steel Works

 

---

 

 

---

 

Kitakyushu UNESCO World Heritage / Industrial Revolution

The four sites of Yawata Steel Works in Kitakyushu area have been inscribed 

as Iron and Steel Industry.

Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding, and Coal Mining, are a grouping of historic sites

that played an important part in the industrialization of Japan in the Bakumatsu

and Meiji periods.

 History of Industrial Revolution  

 

The buildings of the Imperial Steel Works, Japan at Yawata Works are the surviving

components of Asia’s first successful integrated iron and steel works: the State-run

Imperial Steel Works opened in 1901. 

It is located in the northernmost part of Fukuoka Prefecture, the north end of Kyushu, 8 km

south of Hibiki-Nada Seashore close to the continent of China. 

 

Japan’s Steel Industry Steel Works operation has commenced in 1901

Kawachi Reservoir Triggered the registration of World Cultural Heritage

Higashida No.1 Blast Furnace contributed to the development of the Japanese steel industry

Their present-day setting is still a working industrial landscape set in the southeastern

section of Yawata Works which, for over a century, has consistently maintained a leading

role in the Japanese steel industry.

 

---

 

 World Heritage Sites  

 

First Head Office of the Steel Works 

Built in 1899, ahead of production facilities.

It is an architectural fusion of Japanese and European design, a two story red brick building

with bilateral symmetry and a central dome set in a Japanese tile roof.

 

World leading rails producing in the Steel Works

First Head Office building registered on the World Heritage

Observation deck of the World Heritage

---

 

Onga River Pump Station

Built in 1910 on the east bank of the Onga River.
It served, and still serves, to deliver industrial water to Yawata via an 11.4 km pipeline.

This supply is integral to the steel production process and was necessary to cope with the 

1st phase expansion of the Imperial Steel Works.

 

Onga River

Onga River Pump Station

Water piping to the Steel Works

 

---

 

Steel-framed repair workshops

Built in 1900. It was used for the fabrication and assembly of a parts and the repair of machinery used at the Steel Works.  It is the oldest existing steel-structured building in Japan and, more than 100 years later, is still a repair shop. The facility houses its original travelling crane and it is still in use for maintenance work.

---

 

Former Forge Shop

Built in 1900 using designs and steel products from the German steel manufacturer, the purpose of manufacturing forgings such as large scaled spanners, chisels, hammers and stands for machine mounting  needed for the construction of the steelworks.

---

 

 Featured tours related to UNESCO World Heritage Sites  

 

・ Kitakyushu / UNESCO Industry Revolution one-day tour          

・ Nagasaki / UNESCO Industrial Revolution one-day tour     

 

 

---

 

 Contact us   

UNESCO World Heritages in Kyushu

 

We have four UNESCO World Heritages in Kyushu.

Those sites are located all over Kyushu.

 

● Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution   registered in 2015

 

● Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan   registered in 2016

 

● The Sacred Island Okinoshiam and Associated site

   in the Munakata region     registered in 2017

 

● Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region   registered in 2018

 

---

 

 Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution 

 

Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding, and Coal Mining, are a grouping of historic sites that played

an important part in the industrialization of Japan in the Bakumatsu and Meiji periods.

Location of the site

Kitakyushu, Nakama, Saga, Omuta, Arao, Misumi, Nagasaki, Kagoshima

---

 

 Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan  

 

In cities and towns throughout Japan, float festivals are held by communities annually to pray

to the gods for peace and protection from natural disasters.

Location of the site

Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Hita, Karatsu, Yatsushiro

---

 

 The Sacred Island Okinoshiam and Associated site in the Munakata  

 

The island of Okinoshima is located sougonnni in the ocean between Japan and Korea, 

As even landing on the island has been prohibited, the strict taboos have preserved archaeological

ritural sites on the island almost intact over a millennium.In three shrines of Munakata Taisha, located

in the islands of Okinshima, Oshima and Kyushu.  From Okitsu-miya Yohaisho on Oshima, we can

worship Okinoshima from afar. And Shimbaru-Nuyama Mounded Tomb Group is the evidence of people

who nurtured the tradition of worshipping the sacred island.

Location of the sites

Munakata, Fukutsu, Oshima

 

---

 

 Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region  

 

Hidden Christian Site in Nagasaki Regions bear unique testimony to the tradition of people and

their communities who secretly transmitted their faith in Christianity while surviving in the midst

of the conventional society and its religions during the time of prohibition.

Location of the sites

Nagasaki, Shimabara, Amakusa

---

 

 

---

 

UNESCO Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region

 

Hidden Christian site is registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage

 

Japanese Christianity has a long history of continuing faith while coexisting with

Japanese traditional religion Shinto and General society.

 

Japan’s unique practice of the Christian faith continued even during the ban on

Christianity.

Hidden Christian Site in Nagasaki,  Shimabara and Amakusa Regions bear unique

testimony to the tradition of people and their communities who secretly transmitted

their faith in Christianity while surviving in the midst of the conventional society and its

religions during the time of prohibition.

 

---

 

 Nagasaki  

 

Oura Cathedral  / UNESCO World Heritage

Basilica of Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan.

Built in 1865 under the supervision of the French priest Bernard Petitjean.

It was designated as a National Treasure in 1933 for its value as Japan’s oldest Gothic-style

Cathedral.

 

Entrance gate of Oura Cathedral

Japan’s oldest Gothic-style Cathedral building

Statue of Mary, at entrance of Cathedral, installed in 1867

---

 

Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan     

Nishizaka hill, the site of Martyrdom in 1597

The martyrs said that  ” All people, bless God ! ”

The 26 Japanese martyrs have  been canonized in 1862

---

 

 Sotome area Hidden Christian Site  / UNESCO World Heritage 

When he discovered the underground Christians, Petitjean realized that there were many

other Christians hiding in the Sotome region.

He appointed de Rotz as the parish priest of the Shitsu and Kurosaki districts.     

   

Shitsu Church

Former Shitsu Aid Centre

The Statue of Mary

---

 

Urakami Cathedral

Originally constructed in 1895 as a brick Romanesque building, after a long-standing ban on

Christianity was lifted. When completed in 1914, it was the largest Catholic church in East Asia.

The atomic bomb dropped on August 9, 1945 explored in Urakami, only 500m from the

cathedral, which was completely destroyed. What remained of the cathedral is now on display 

in the Atomic Bomb Museum.

 

A replacement the Cathedral was built in 1959

Ruins of destroyed Urakami Cathedral are displayed

Ruins of destroyed Cathedral, displayed nearby Ground Zero

---

 

 Shimabara  &  Unzen   / Nagasaki-prefecture

 

Harajo Castle Ruins  / UNESCO World Heritage

The Battle field of Shimabara Rebellion which was a peasant uprising agaist bakufu’s

persecution of Christians under the leadership of Amakusa Shiro in 1637. 

Christian farmers rose in a riot due to their grievance about the oppression by

Matsukura Shigemasa.

The Shogunate regarded this riot as Christian rebellion and sent its punitive force,

therefore locked themselves in the castle and with their leader Amakusa Shiro Tokisada

fought against the Shogunate. On February 27, 1638, he died in battle.

The following day, the castle fell. 37,000 Christians including women and children

died a violent death.

 

Entrance to Harajo Castle Ruins

Battle field of Shimabara Rebellion

The Statue of Amakusa Shiro

---

 

Unzen jigoku

Jigoku, means Hell, is the number one attraction of Unzen with a peculiar smell of sulfur emitted

from the springs, and with white smoke rising from the ground over a wide area.

Unfortunately, this was once put into reality nearly 350 years ago during the time of religious

persecution in Japan.  30 Japanese Christians, failing to renounce their faith met  their death

here in the scalding spring of Jigoku.

 

Smoke rising from the ground over a wide area

Martyrdom site of Christians

The Cross written the name of six martyrs

---

 

 Amakusa    / Kumamoto-prefecture 

 

Hidden Christian of Amakusa

Christianity was first brought to Japan in 1549 by a Jesuit priest named Francis Xavier when

trading opened in Kagoshima. Not long after, it spread to neighboring areas such as Nagasaki

and Amakusa. In 1614, the Tokugawa regime felt threatened by the growth of Christianity out of

their fear of colonialism. Persecutions began and the eradication of Christianity started.

Missionaries and priests alike were killed, while those who practiced Christianity were given an

option to renounce their faith or face death. Some chose to convert to Shintoism and Buddhism

in order to hide their Christian faith.

Fed up with famine and cruel treatment, peasants from Amakusa organized a rebellion to fight

against the regime. This resulted in the Shimbara Rebellion, which is considered as one of the

largest revolts during the Edo period.

 

---

 

Oe Cathedral  / UNESCO World Heritage

The oldest Catholic Church in Amakusa and was one of the first churches built right after the ban

on Christianity was lifted. The and Romanesque-style architecture and the chalky white structure

was rebuilt in 1933 by a French missionary priest named Father Garnier using his own money and

contributions from local Christians living in the area.

 

---

 

Sakitsu Village  / UNESCO World Heritage

A Gothic-looking church is located on a cove of a fishing village. In 1934, a French priest

Augustin Halbout MEP purchased the premises of the former village headman and built a

wooden and concrete finished church, with Tetsukawa Yosuke’s design and construction.

He placed the altar at the very site where fumie or a test to ensure non-allegiance to

Christianity had been conducted.

 

---

 

Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall

The theme Museum shows History of Christianity in Amakusa and Shimabara Rebellion

which was a peasant uprising agaist bakufu’s persecution of Christians under the leadership

of Amakusa Shiro in 1637.

 

---

 

 Featured tours related to Hidden Christian sites

 

・ Nagasaki / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites one-day tour

・ Nagasaki / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 3 days tour

・ Amakusa / UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 2 days tour

 

---

 

 

---

 

UNESCO / Sacred region Munakata

 

Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region

Industrial Heritages in Kitakyushu

 

Kitakyushu-city  is the industrial innovation city where a lot of Japan’s Industries were born

and Japan’s industrial modernization has been achieved.

 

The city presents various Industrial Heritages including UNESCO World Herigate

of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.

 

---

 

First Head Office of the Steel Works  UNESCO World Heritage

Built in 1899, ahead of production facilities.

It is an architectural fusion of Japanese and European design, a two story red brick building

with bilateral symmetry and a central dome set in a Japanese tile roof.

 

World leading rails producing in the Steel Works

First Head Office building registered on the World Heritage

Observation deck of the World Heritage

---

 

Onga River Pump Station, UNESCO World Heritage

Built in 1910 on the east bank of the Onga River.
It served, and still serves, to deliver industrial water to Yawata via an 11.4 km pipeline.

This supply is integral to the steel production process and was necessary to cope with the 

1st phase expansion of the Imperial Steel Works.

 

Onga River

Onga River Pump Station

Water piping to the Steel Works

---

 

Kawachi Reservoir 

The first-class civil construction heritage that triggered the registration of

World Cultural Heritage of Meiji Japan’s Industrial Revolution.

The Kawachi Reservoir was constructed for the industrial water supply to Yawata Steel Works. 

 

---

 

Minami Kawachi-bashi bridge

This shape and colour really harmonize with nature and become a symbol of the Iron town Yahata.

 

---

 

Higashida No.1 Blast Furnace

The Blast Furnace used to make the pig iron and was where Japan’s steel industry began in 1901.

It contributed greatly to the development of the Japanese steel industry and was used until 1972,

and has been preserved just as it was.

 

Indication of the year of Steel Works operation commencement

Proper of Blast furnace, Hot Stoves and Stack

Cast house floor, the pig iron is being discharged

---

 

Dedicated railway for Yawata Steel Works 

Connected between Yawata and Tobata.

Construction work took three years, and completed in 1930. The most difficult and hard work

was making Miyatayama tunnel with a total length of 1180 m due to suffering from floods.

The gates of the Miyatayama tunnel are decorated with stately designs.

 

The rail way crossing the road

Miyatayama tunnel Yahata side

Miyatayama tunnel Tobata side

---

 

 

---