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   St. Francis Xavier statue One of the sites of the town is “the view of temples and church” which can be had halfway up the lane leading up the hill. The church was originally built on a different site in 1913, but was reconstructed at its present location in 1931.    

St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church…の続きを読む

  The Church is located in Kurosaki district, where was place of the setting for Endo Shusaku’s novel Silence.  In 1897, the foundations were laid down according to Father de Rotz’s design. Construction followed and in 1920 the church was completed.     The followers built it brick by brick with their own hands. The modest design serves to bring out the beauty of the bricks.  Experience the depth when you come inside and see the rib vault ceiling. The church’s stained glass also leaves a lasting impression.      

Kurosaki Church…の続きを読む

  The peaceful Sotome, the setting of Endo Shusaku’s novel Silence. Sotome area of Nagasaki city has an abundance of natural beauty in its sea, mountains and rivers. It also is blessed with a unique history and culture of Christianity. In particular, the area in which the Endo Shusaku Literary Museum stands is known as the site of a Christian village, one of Endo’s most notable work, Silence.     From the literary museum, there is a magnificent view. In a sweep of eye one can see sun as it majestically sets over the sea of Goto, along with the Silence Literary Monument in Shitsu Bunka Mura. Endo Shusaku and the Sotome area are linked through Silence ; this bond has been built up starting from when Endo was writing the novel, and continues into the present day with the construction of literary museum.     Following Endo Shusaku’s death, this Literary Museum was established thanks to kindness of his family, and was filled with Endo’s persona belongings, mementoes, manuscripts, and his extensive collection of books.  The Museum exhibits trace the footsteps of Endo Shusaku as one of Japan’s greatest writers of literature. In addition, it has facilities for collecting, preserving, and exhibiting materials related to Endo’s public perusal and research, and operating as an information center.     Note …

Endo Shusaku Literary Museum…の続きを読む

  Let’s meet wild Dolphins. Approximately 300 wild Dolphins live in the sea between the Shimabara Peninsula and Amakusa.           The dolphin watching cruises have become increasingly popular for all ages, especially because it is possible to see the dolphins so close that you could almost touch them.     Join one of the various tours departing from Kuchinotsu or Kazusa to watch playful dolphins frolicking in the sea.    

Dolphins watching cruise…の続きを読む

  Starting with the mission of Francis Xavier, Christianity expanded throughout the country, with Nagasaki at its heart. Even during the prohibition of Christianity, faith remained strong in Hirado, Sotome, Shimabara, Unzen, and Amakusa. This legacy, however, is inseparable from a profound and solemn history of martyrdom.    This comprehensive 8-day journey spans the historic landscapes of Nagasaki and Amakusa, offering an unparalleled exploration of Japan’s Christian heritage. From the early missions to the long years of hidden faith, this tour reveals the full, awe-inspiring story of a devotion that survived against all odds     Inspiration: Sample Itinerary　 This itinerary is a curated glimpse into our bespoke experiences. Use it as a starting point, and allow us to tailor every detail to your personal interests and pace.   Traveling route   Schedule destinations to explore Stay Day 1 : Depart from Fukuoka → Hirado Day 2 : Hirado  Day 3 : Nagasaki  Day 4 : Nagasaki & Sotome      Day 5 : Shimabara & Unzen Day 6 : Amakusa Day 7 : Amakusa & Kumamoto Day 8 : Fukuoka Hirado Nagasaki Nagasaki Nagasaki Unzen Amakusa Kumamoto Fukuoka Day 1   Hirado    Welcome to Fukuoka. You will be greeted by tour guide. === Drive to Hitado via the expressway === Lunch at a local restaurant in Hirado Exploring Hirado Step back in time to the roots of Christian Japan ・Tabira Church ・St Francis Xavier …

8-Day: Echoes of Faith ー The Grand Pilgr…の続きを読む

  The waterfall is located near the source of Katsuki River. It’s 30 meters high. It is known for clear water, and said to live Sansyouo. In front of the fall, a Banryu maple tree grows naturally that lives more than 300 years. In autumn, lots of visitors come to see autumn leaves at the pedestrian and the maple tree leaves.       In “Fureai no Sato”, there is a restaurant and souvenir shop. In summer, salt-grilled Yamame trout 500 Yen, local foods of Itoshima, and Nagashi Somen (Somen noodles flow down a bamboo flumes with running water) are provided. Good place to spend time with family and friends in mountain view.      

Shiraito waterfall…の続きを読む

  The Kitakyushu Manga Museum is located next to JR Kokura station. The museum is located on the 6th floor of Aru Aru City, a multi-floored shopping mall devoted to products and services for anime, manga, idol culture, and cosplay fans, a kind of Harajuku in miniature.     The permanent exhibition area on the 6th floor concentrates on manga writers and artists who have a connection with Kitakyushu; and while more than thirty are listed, the best known is Reiji Matsumoto, who is also the honorary director of the museum.     The rest of the Aru Aru City shopping mall is devoted to shops and services for Japan’s pop youth culture. There are lots of shops selling manga, anime DVDs, J-Pop CDs, computer games, trading cards, as well as related paraphernalia such posters and figurines. There are games arcades, an internet cafe, model car racetrack, a karaoke bar, and several cafes and bars serving alcohol, as well as a full maid cafe.     There are numerous establishments offering services for otaku, including a rehearsal space with a recording studio for budding musicians, an event space with a stage and lighting that can be rented, and a cosplay studio where cosplayers can be photographed professionally in a variety of settings.    

Manga Museum and Aru Aru City…の続きを読む

  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.   The warehouse was reconstructed in 2011. It was built as close to the original design as possible and exhibits the facility’s original Dutch architecture of interlocking stone blocks supported by large, exposed wooden beams. The structure is capped by a Japanese-style tile roof, just like the original.      

Dutch Trading Post…の続きを読む

  The origin of Japan’s modernization is here. Under the growing sense of crisis over a foreign menace, Nagasaki supported the introduction of Western countries technology, which started during the last years of Japan’s National isolation period. With “ Dejima ” as the only window to West during the period of National isolation. Nagasaki has contributed to Japan’s modernization by serving as a place to acquire knowledge from oversea. Nagasaki contributed for Shipbuilding and Coal Mining and 7 sites have been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage, Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.     Glover House   Located on Minami-Yamate hill in Nagasaki-city, Glover Garden has nine Western style buildings including the Glover’s Residence built in 1863 by Japanese carpenter Koyama Hidenoshin. The  Glover Residence is Japan’s oldest wooden Western-style building.     Former Pattern Shop / Shipyard History Museum The Former Pattern Shop was built in 1898 to produce wooden patterns for castings and is the oldest factory building in the shipyard. It is a two-storied brick building with a timber roof truss. There is a U-shaped rail on the ceiling to transport materials. The building was refurbished to the Shipyard History Museum in 1985 and is open to the public.     Giant Cantilever Crane The Giant Cantilever Crane is the first electric-powered crane of its type in Japan, imported from …

Nagasaki UNESCO World Heritage / Industr…の続きを読む

Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu on the Satsuma Peninsula and Osumi Peninsula. This prefecture also includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest of Kyushu for a few hundred kilometers. The prefecture boasts a chain of active and dormant volcanoes, including the great Sakura-jima Island, which towers out of the Kagoshima bay opposite Kagoshima.     Kagoshima The city is southernmost capital in Kyushu ;  Sakura-jima which raises the smoke across the Kagoshima Bay. Kagoshima prospered in the Edo period as a castle town, and is a hometown of Takamori Saigo who contributed to the Meiji Restoration.   Ibusuki and Satsuma peninsula Ibusuki and surrounded area Satsuma peninsula extends about 50 kilometers south from Kagoshima-city, making up the south-western section of Kagoshima Prefecture. The peninsula offers a mixture of hot springs, subtropical natural attractions and cultural sites. Ibusuki is an Onsen resort that is famous for its sand baths.   Chiran Called a small Kyoto in Kagoshima, offer you a fine collection of Samurai houses and gardens that were built about 260 years ago.  During World War 2, Chriran was a Kamikaze pilots based  who participated in the Battle for Okinawa.    Kirishima Located in the northeastern part of Kagoshima and is the entrance to the Kirishima district of Kirishima Yaku National Park, which includes the Kirishima volcanic chain,  Sakura-jima Island and Yaku shima Islands.   Kagoshima Prefecture                                

Kagoshima-prefecture travel guide…の続きを読む