Nagasaki Hidden Christian History tour
Congratulations on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site registration
Japan’s unique practice of the Christian faith continued even during the ban on Christianity
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.
This tour introduce the history of Hidden Christian in Nagasaki Region while taking the World Heritages
and related sites of Nagasaki-city, Shimabara and Unzen.
Tour condition
・Start and end place of the tour : Fukuoka-city
・Places to be visited : Nagasakicity, Shimabara and Unzen
・Duration : 2 nights and 3 days
・Transportation : Chartered vehicle
・English speaking guide
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Fukuoka-city and transfer to Nasgasaki-city
Sotome area → Martyrdom of 26 Saints of Japan → Oura Cathedral → Glover Garden → Mt. Inasa
Stay at Nagasaki
Day 2
Peace Park → Ground Zero → Urakami Cathedral
Transfer to Unzen
Nita Pass → Unzen Jigoku
Stay at Unzen
Day 3
Transfer to Minami Shimabara
Harajo Castle ruins ; Battle field of Shimabara Rebellion
Shimabara Castle
Transfer to Fukuoka-city
Arriva at Fuuoka-city
Where to visit
Day 1
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 |
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 |
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 |
Glover Garden / UNESCO World Heritage
The garden takes its name from Thomas Glover, his arms-importing operations played
an important part in the Meiji Restoration, he built the first train line in Japan and he even
helped establish the first modern Mitsubishi ship yard.
|
Tomas Glover Residence, World Heritage |
Former Mitsubishi second dock house |
Overlooking of Nagasaki harbour |
It is a 333 meter high mountain in close distance to JR Nagasaki Station. The summit can be reached
by ropeway or car and offers great views over the city. And also, the magnificent night views from
Mount Inasa are ranked among Japan’s three best night views.
|
Veiw from Nagasaki harbor |
View from the Summit |
World’s three great night veiw |
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.
|
Completed in 1955, ten years after the atomic bombing |
Reminds the tragic scene unfolded shortly after the dropped Atomic Bomb |
about 500m over the central monument |
Unzen is a beautiful mountain and Onsen resort, and was the first area to be designated as
a National Park in Japan.
At any time of the year the natural scenery of Nita-toge Pass in Unzen is magnificent.
Azaleas, green leaves, brilliant autumnal tints of maples and silver frost represent each
season of the year.
|
Entrance to Nita pass |
Nita pass Observetory |
Rope way to Myoken mountain |
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 |
Day 3
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.
1637.
|
Entrance to Harajo Castle Ruins |
Battle field of Shimabara Rebellion |
The Statue of Amakusa Shiro |
The castle was built in 1625 by the feudal load Matsukura Shigemasa, who was regarded as a master of
castle building. The castle, which took 7 years to complete, is also known as “Moritake Castle”.
It was an almost rectangular flatland castle built in the Renkaku-style.
|
Donjon of Shimabara Castle |
Moat of the Castle planted lotus |
Great stone wall of moat |
Samurai Houses & Samurai street
Samurai was a term for the military nobility in pre-industrial Japan.
The Samurai houses in Shimabara along the old Samurai street nearby Shimabara Castle
were built in 18th century.
|
Samurai street |
Samurai house |
Japanese garden |
Should you need further information please feel free to contact us.
Your equiry can be sent by selecting the Enquiry Form link below.
You can also contact us by e-mail at info@japan-kyushu-tourist.com
Tel : +81-93-521-8897, Fax : +81-93-521-8898
Address : AIM buiding 6th floor, 3-8-1 Asano, Kokura-kitaku, Kitakyushu-city, Fukuoka-prefecture