Beyond the neon lights of Japan’s mega-cities lies Kyushu, a southern gateway untouched by time. This historical region is a land where ancient philosophies, breathtaking nature, and deep human connections still shape daily life. We invite you not as a mere tourist, but as an honored guest to discover the authentic soul of Japan.     Historic Architecture & Living Heritage From Majestic Castles to Living Castle Towns   Japanese architecture embodies a timeless harmony with nature. In Kyushu, history comes alive through the towering stone walls of grand castles, ancient Shinto shrines wrapped in deep forests, and tranquil Buddhist temples designed for meditation. Beyond these sacred sites, you can walk through beautifully preserved merchant and samurai towns. Built entirely from natural wood, clay, and paper, these historic structures reveal how traditional Japanese aesthetics and daily mindfulness have been woven into living spaces for centuries.     Timeless Crafts & Human Connections The Pride and Passion of Master Artisans    Kyushu is the cradle of Japan’s finest traditional crafts, protected by family lineages for over 400 years. Here, the spirit of the Shokunin (master artisan) thrives in secluded pottery villages like Imari and Karatsu hidden deep in the mountains. From the intricate geometric beauty of Kumiko woodwork to the organic warmth of hand-woven textiles, these authentic crafts are born …

Discover the Real Japan: Heritage, Craft…の続きを読む

  The Church is dedicated to Antonio Ishida and others who were martyred in the Unzen jigoku from 1627 to 1632 and was built in 1982 to commemorate Pope John Paul II’s visit to Nagasaki.       The number of believers in the church is small, but many pilgrims visit, since it is also a place of martyrdom.                                                                             Design Your Kyushu Trip We arrange custom Nagasaki & Kyushu Christian Pilgrimage Tours. Connect below via your preferred method:

Unzen Church…の続きを読む

  Nagasaki Port was opened and the first Portuguese ship arrived in 1571. And development of the town of cape was started as Christian town in 1571 and many Churches were constructed in Nagasaki.  However, due to the Tokugawa Shogunate’s Ban on Christianity in 1614, most  of the church buildings were destroyed.  Since ban on the Christianity was lifted in 1873, new Christian history in Japan has begun and many Churches and Cathedrals have been constructed.     Oura Cathedral, in Nagasaki The Cathedral is one of the significant Christian Pilgrimage site in Japan.  Established 1865, this church is officially known as “Oura Cathedral, the Church of 26 Martyrs.” It was built 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.   Urakami Cathedral, in Nagasaki Construction of the original Urakami Cathedral, a brick  Romanesque building, began in 1895, after a long-standing  ban on Christianity was lifted. When completed in 1914, it was the largest Catholic church in East Asia.   Nakamachi Church, in Nagasaki The church is located near JR Nagasaki Station which was constructed for Japanese Christians in 1986.  The church was dedicated to the 16 Saints of Nagasaki (St. Thomas and the 15 Martyrs) in 1988, and the monument honoring them was erected in the premise. The 16 Saints were martyred in Nagasaki from 1633 to 1637.   Saint Filippo de Jesus Church ( Japan …

Churches and Cathedrals…の続きを読む

  This Church is house of prayer for tens of thousands Christians who were martyred between 1612 and 1658 throughout the Shimabara Peninsula.   It was built in 1997 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of 26 Japanese Saints and the 360th anniversary of the Shimabara Rebellion. The Cathedral is a beautiful octagonal building with a large octagonal dome.                                                                           Design Your Kyushu Trip We arrange custom Nagasaki & Kyushu Christian Pilgrimage Tours. Connect below via your preferred method:

Shimabara 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.                                                               Design Your Kyushu Trip We arrange custom Nagasaki & Kyushu Christian Pilgrimage Tours. Connect below via your preferred method:

Kurosaki Church…の続きを読む

  The church is a Christian Pilgrimage site and 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 beautiful building facing Hirado Strait offers artists and photographers a motif typical of the Tabira district. The church has been designated an important cultural asset by the Japanese government.     The history of the Tabira district began with the work of two foreign missionaries. In 1886, the French missionary Emile Raguet, in charge of Kuroshima Church at the time, purchased one hectare (2.5 acres) of wilderness at his own expense and urged three families in need to settle there. The same year, Marc-Marie de Rotz of Shitsu Church bought one hectare and sent four families to cultivate the pristine land. Gradually the number of the settlers increased and reached 80 families by the early Taisho era (1910s). In 1914, the Japanese priest Nakata Tokichi arrived in the parish. To replace the humble prayer house, he made tremendous efforts to raise funds for a formal church. Tetsukawa Yosuke designed the brick building, and the parishioners cooperated in the construction project, gathering a large number of seashells and burning them into lime powder. The site of the processing ground …

Tabira Church…の続きを読む