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. A new castle, also known as Kameoka Castle was built on the site a hundred years later in 1718 as part of the coastal defences erected during Japan’s self imposed seclusio in the Edo Period. This structure stood for over 150 years, but eventually fell into disrepair and was dismantled during the Meiji Period.

Hirado Castle…の続きを読む

  Miyajidake Shrine is located in Fukutsu, Fukuoka-prefecture. 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 with Shimenawa. Miyajidake Shrine is primarily dedicated to Empress Jingu and attracts over 2 million worshippers a year who pray for commercial success, good luck, and to ward off adversity.

Miyajidake Shrine, in Fukutsu…の続きを読む

  A tranquil Onsen Resort near Fukuoka-city, located in Asakura-city on the banks of Chikugo River.  The quality hot spring is weakly alkaline and sulfur is mixed and has the effect of dropping old horn and creating beautiful skin.​​

Harazuru…の続きを読む

  The site where Christian Gaspar Nishi Genka was martyred in 1609, located on Kurose Hill overlooking Nakae no shima between Hirado and Ikitsuki. The tomb facing the sea is called Gaspar-sama and is a revered place for Ikitsuki’s Hidden Christians. The cross-shaped “Kurose no Tsuji Martyrdom Monument” was erected by Catholics in 1991, and Mass is held every year around November 14th.    Gaspar Nishi Genka was the first martyr of Ikitsuki and the father of Thomas Rokuzaemon Nishi who was one of the 16 Saint of Nagasaki, dedicated in Nakamachi Church in Nagasaki.  

Kurose no Tsuji, martyrdom site of Gaspa…の続きを読む