Nagasaki UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 3 days tour
Congratulations on UNESCO’s World Heritage registration
Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region
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
Sites 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.
The tour introduces how Christians have been continued their faith since Christianity
was propagated to Japan, by visiting Hidden Christian sites in Nagasaki-city,
Location of Nagasaki-prefecture
Tour conditions
The tour is the private tour exclusively for your group.
・Minimum number : 2 person
・Maxum number : 30 person
・Tour date : please specify the date
・Accommodations is selected as per your required grade, room conditions and budget
and the location is considered sightseeing, dinner and nightlife as well.
・English speaking tour attendant escorts your journey to produce a pleasant trip.
・Chartered vehicle is utilized as per number of person.
Where to visit
Day 1 Sotome & Nagasaki
Itinerary
Depart Fukuoka-city
transfer to Nagasaki-city
Sotome area → Martyrdom of 26 Saints of Japan → Oura Cathedral
Stay at Nagasaki–city
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 |
Stay
Nagasaki
Most Hotels are located close to the main street and walking distance from Nagasaki
tram stations. And you can find many restaurants around the Hotels.
|
JR Nagasaki Station |
Main street of Nagasaki |
Nagasaki tram |
Option : the following site can be arranged as a option
The Japan’s longest foot bath in Obama
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 |
The Atomic bomb exploded 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 |
Option
The Japan’s longest foot bath in Obama
Called “Hot foot 105” The length of foot bath is 105m which is same number of the hot spring
source temperature of 105 degree Celsius.
|
“ Hot foot 105 ” is the Japan’s longest foot bath, 105 meter |
Hot spring source temperature of 105 degree Celsius |
Obama Onsen Resort, located at the mountain foot of Unzen |
Stay
There are 17 Hotels and Japanese style inns around Unzen Jigoku.
From every hotel, beautiful scenery which changes by season can be enjoyed.
|
Bus Center in Unzen Onsen Resort |
Many hotels arelocated around Unzen Jigoku
|
Each season brings a vivid change to the appearance the face of Unzen |
Day 3 Shimabara
Itinerary
Transfer to Minami Shimabara
Harajo Castle ruins ; Battle field of Shimabara Rebellion
Transfer to Fukuoka-city
Arriva at Fukuoka-city
Option : the following site can be arranged as a option
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.
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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.
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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 |
Option
During the period of the Southern and Northern Courts (1337-92), the Arima family ruling the
Shimabara Peninsula constructed a castle named Hinoe-jo.
The 14th lord, Harunobu (1567-1612) was a Christian daimyo and refurbished his castle into
a large scale which had gardens, a tea arbor and many rooms.
|
Entrance of the Castle |
The castle made by Christian Daimyo, Arima Hironobu |
Remain stone walls around the site of the front gate |
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
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