The Cathdral was built in 1865 by the French priest Bernard Petitjean of Fier who had been dispatched by the Foreign Missionary Church of Paris to dedicate prayers to the 26 saints martyred on Nishizaka hill. For this reason, the church faces Nishizaka hill. It was designated as a National Treasure in 1933 for its value as Japan’s oldest Gothic-style Cathedral. For this reason, the church faces Nishizaka hill. It was designated as a National Treasure in 1933 for its value as Japan’s oldest Gothic-style Cathedral.

Oura Cathedral, built in 1865…の続きを読む

  When Matsukura Shigemasa became the new federal lord of Shimabara in 1616, many people were Christians. Initially, he acquiesced in Christianity, because he needed people’s cooperation to build Shimabara Castle. However, this situation was known to Tokugawa Shogunate, and he strongly commanded Christians in Shimabara to convert.     From 1627, Christians who did not convert were persecuted using the boiling water of Unzen jigoku. Many Christians were taken to this Unzen jigoku and martyred. Unzen Church is dedicated to Father Antonio Ishida, a martyr of Unzen Hell, and martyrdom festival is held every May.     Unzen jigoku is a tourist spot in Unzen. Jigoku, means Hell, is the number one attraction of Unzen with a peculiar smell of sulfur emitted from the springs, and boiled hot water and white smoke rising from the ground over a wide area. This is a striking reminder that Unzen Volcano is still very much alive.  

Unzen jigoku Martyrdom, 雲仙地獄殉教…の続きを読む

  Sushi is a popular Japanese dish consisting mainly of seafood on top of vinegared rice. Sushi has a wide variety of toppings, and you can enjoy sushi according to the season.   The freshness of the ingredients is especially important for sushi. The sushi restaurant is generally counter-style, with the sushi toppings displayed in a refrigerated showcase on the counter, and the sushi chefs making the sushi according to customer orders.  

Sushi, 寿司…の続きを読む