Nagasaki UNESCO Hidden Christian sites 6 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
Where to visit
Nagasaki-city, Shimabara, Unzen , Amakusa and Hirado.
Location of Hidden Christian sites in Nagasaki region
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 in Nagasaki–city
Where to explore
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 |
Option : the following site can be arranged as a option
Where to explore
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 |
Day 3 Shimabara
Itinerary
Shimabara Castle → Samurai Houses & Samurai street
Transfer to Minami Shimabara
Harajo Castle ruins ; Battle field of Shimabara Rebellion
Transfer to Amakusa from Kuchinotsu
Stay in Amakusa
Where to explore
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 |
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 |
Transfer to Amakusa (Oniike) , from Kuchinotsu (Minami-Shimabara-city)
Shimatetsu Ferry : operated by Shinabara Rail Way, 30 minutes ride.
|
Kuchinotsu port |
Kuchinotsu |
To Amakusa |
Day 4 Amakusa & Kumamoto
Itinerary
8:00 Depart Hotel
Visiting Hidden Christian sites
Oe Cathedral → Sakitsu Village → Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall
Travel Amakusa Gokyo / Pearl line
Transfer to Kumamoto
Exploring Kumamoto
Sakurano-baba Josaien → Kumamoto Castle
Stay in Kumamoto
Where to explore
The oldest Catholic Church in Amakusa and was one of the first churches built right after the
ban on Christianity was lifted. The 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.
|
The oldest Catholic Church in Amakusa |
Romanesque-style architecture |
Oe Village |
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.
|
A Gothic-looking church |
Sakitsu Village |
Fishery port |
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.
|
Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall |
Bell for Love |
Amakusa Shiro Statue |
Josaien is located in Sakurano-baba, at the foot of Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s three
major castles. It is a popular tourist attraction designed to enhance the appeal of the old castle
town and convey to visitors the food, history and cultural traditions of the region from Kumamoto
Castle, a symbol of the Kumamoto-city.
|
The main gate located in Sakurano-baba |
Many shops sell Kumamoto souvenirs |
Restaurants, to enjoy distinctive food culture in Kumamoto |
The Castle is one of the three great castles and one of the 100 best places in Japan to
view cherry blossoms. Due to the Earthquakes in 2016, several of the castle’s shacihoko
ornaments were destroyed, and a large number of kawara tiles also fell from the roof.
Now the restoration activities are being performed as fast as possible. Now, the Kumamoto
Castle can be seen from the outside of the moats surrounding the castle.
|
Castle tower |
Castle tower after Earthquake |
Turret |
Day 5 Hirado
Itinerary
Depart Kumamoto
Transfer to Hirado
Exploring Hirado
Tabira Church → Matsura Historical Museum → St Francis Xavier Memorial Church
Stay at Hirado
The church was designed by Tetsukawa Yosuke, a famous architect of various churches
in Nagasaki-prefecture, and built between December 1915 and October 1917. It is one
of the latest brick churches in the prefecture of Nagasaki. Tetsukawa Yosuke has called
this one of his best works.
|
The Church building facing Hirado strait |
The latest brick churche in Nagasaki-prefecture |
Mary statue in front of the Church |
Matsura Historical Museum
The museum stores and displays the historical collection of the Matsura family who ruled
over the northern area of Nagasaki prefecture since the 13th century. The museum is
housed in the former private residence of the Matsura family, the grand Tsurugamine
Mansion, built in 1893. Hirado has a long history of overseas exchange due to its
geographical location.
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History Museum buiding used Matsura family |
Displays the historical collections |
Military helmet |
St Francis Xavier Memorial Church
This church is a catholic church in Hirado, Nagasaki. Hirado is a place where Francis
Xavier visited 3 times in Japan to spread Christianity, and even during the Kinkyo
Ordinance of the Edo Period that prohibited religions, Christianity was very widespread.
For that reason when the ordinance was lifted this church was constructed, and the image
of Francis Xavier was put on the side.
|
Francis Xavier visited here |
Catholic church in Hirado |
Francis Xavier statue |
Set up in Hirado in 1609 as the base of operations of the Dutch East India Company
in Japan. The building seen today is a warehouse which was originally constructed
here in 1639 as part of the trading post, but torn down just three years later after the
Dutch had been relocated to Dejima Island in the port of Nagasaki.
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Hirado wan opened to foreign country before Nagasaki |
Warehouse of Dutch East India Company |
Hirado Dutch ship |
Day 6 Hirado
Itinerary
Depart Hotel
Exploring Hirado
Hirado Castle → Nakae no Shima → Kasuga Village
Transfer to Fukuoka
Arrive at Hotel in Fukuoka
Stands on a hill guarding Hirado Port and the Hirado Strait, which used to be part of an important
trade route between Japan and the Asian mainland. The original fortress was built in 1599 by the
local Matsura Lord; however, he destroyed the structure after fighting the Tokugawa on the losing
side of the Battle of Sekigahara as a gesture of loyalty to the victor. The Matsura Clan continued
ruling Hirado for the next two and a half centuries.
|
Stands on a hill guarding Hirado Port |
Castle tower for Matsura Clan |
Exhibit historical items |
Nakae no Shima / UNESCO World Heritage
Located two kilometers off the coast of Hirado Island, Nakae no Shima is a small, uninhabited island
where religious leaders were executed during the persecution of Christians. The island is considered
sacred, and water collected there is used for baptism.
|
Hitado bridge |
Nakae no Shima, uninhabited island |
Hirado Strait |
Kasuga Village / UNESCO World Heritage
This idyllic, remote village was refuge to a small community of Hidden Christians who practiced here
for centuries, far from the prying eyes of the government. After the ban on Christianity was lifted, the
local villagers decided to continue practicing their own unique brand of the religion rather than rejoin
the Catholic Church. As a result, churches were not erected in the village, and the religion remains
outwardly invisible.
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Fishery port |
Remote village |
Small community of Hidden Christians |
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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