A theme park dedicated to the various Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll and My Melody. Harmonyland is located in Hiji, Oita Prefecture, approximately a 30minutes drive from JR Beppu Station.     There are live shows that take place daily, plenty of rides, and opportunities to have photos with your favorite Sanrio characters. If you want a great view out over the surrounding landscape, try the Ferris wheel – you may even be lucky enough to hop into a Hello Kitty carriage. Hours for Harmonyland differ depending on the season, and closure days also change from month to month.      

Sanrio Harmoneyland…の続きを読む

  Driven by his desire to save the people of Sotome from poverty, Father de Rotz established the Former Shitsu Aid Center, making it indispensable   when discussing the history and culture of the region. In 1879, Father Marc Marie de Rotz, a French missionary who was assigned to Sotome, introduced a variety of farming, fishing, medical, and educational programs to rescue local residents from their plight.   Founded in 1883, the Former Shitsu Aid Center was a welfare and vocational training facility for women. It was established with the cooperation of members of the Society of St. Joseph, which was formed and trained by Father de Rotz himself. In December 2003, these facilities were designated as Nationally Important Cultural Properties, recognized as valuable surviving structures of early Meiji-period childbirth and social welfare.    

Former Shitsu Aid Center…の続きを読む

              Built in 1882 by Father de Rotz, this low-ceilinged church features a brick exterior, a wooden interior, and a stone entranceway. The roof itself is built low to withstand damage from strong winds.   The church’s bell was brought directly from France by the father himself and rings out beautifully every morning. This stunning location is also famous as a filming site for the Japanese movie “Gege”.    

Shitsu Church…の続きを読む

  Soaring 1,375 meters into the sky, Mount Tsurumi is a breathtaking mountain overlooking Beppu that offers excellent hiking, rare flora, and outstanding vistas.   Visitors can take a ropeway 800 meters up and revel in being surrounded by acres of rolling greenery. On clear days, you can see as far as the Kuju Mountains, a famous mountain range that runs between Oita and Kumamoto Prefectures.      

Mount Tsurumi…の続きを読む

  Christianity in Japan has a unique history that is not found anywhere else in the world. The history of Christianity in Japan began in 1549 when Francis Xavier arrived as the first missionary. Christianity then spread mainly in the Nagasaki area. However, Christianity was later banned by the shogunate, and people continued to practice their faith in secret. As a result, there is a history of many martyrs in various places. And in 1873, ban on the Christianity was lifted, new Christian history in Japan has begun. The tour introduces Japanese Christianity by visiting Nagasaki region.     1549  St. Francis Xavier came Kagoshima Japan as a first Christian missionary and            commenced the Christian history in Japan 1550  St. Francis Xavier came Hirado as a Christian missionary 1551  Catholic Hirado Church was constructed as first church in Japan 1557   Introduction of Catholicism to Ikitsuki, Kasuga in Hirado 1563  Omura Sumitada, feudral lord of Nagasaki who was first lord convert to Christianity 1569  Todos os Santos Church was constructed as first in Nagasaki by Gaspal Villera 1571  Nagasaki Port was opend to Portugal by feudral lord Omura Sumitada 1580   Arima Harunobu, lord of Arima convert to Christianity and the Seminario was           established in Kuchinotsu as first in Japan 1582  Arima Harunobu teamed up with Kyushu Christian lords Otomo Sorin …

History of Japanese Christianity…の続きを読む

  After the discovery of the numerous hidden Christians in Ikitsuki Island in 1865, they began to work on recovering their Catholic faith although they were not too successful at first. Then in 1878, a priest named Fr. Pelu came to Hirado and baptized many people who are said to be the ancestors of the churchgoers of Yamada Church today.   The butterfly-wing decorations adorning the wall surface of the church interior was personally made and painted on by the priest at the time, and the mosaic-like paintings are made from actually, ground butterfly wings. These are considered as one of the church’s “seven sacraments.” In 1981, St. Thomas Nishi along with 15 other martyrs were beatified in the Philippines. St.Thomas was later canonized and a statue of him was built in commemoration of his canonization, in a garden in Ikitsuki.      

Yamada Church…の続きを読む

  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.    

Matsura Historical Museum…の続きを読む

  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

  Sotome is a peaceful area in Nagasaki City, renowned as the setting for Shusaku Endo’s acclaimed novel “Silence.” The region is blessed with abundant natural beauty encompassing the sea, mountains, and rivers, alongside a unique Christian history and culture. In particular, the area where the Shusaku Endo Literary Museum stands is widely known as the model for the hidden Christian village depicted in “Silence,” one of Endo’s most notable masterpieces.     The literary museum offers a magnificent, panoramic view. One can witness the sun as it majestically sets over the Sea of Goto, along with the “Silence” Literary Monument in Shitsu Culture Village.   Shusaku Endo and the Sotome area are deeply linked through “Silence. ” This profound bond, forged while Endo was writing the novel, continues to this day and is beautifully preserved through the establishment of this literary museum.     Following Shusaku Endo’s death, this Literary Museum was established thanks to the generosity of his family. It is filled with Endo’s personal belongings, mementoes, manuscripts, and his extensive collection of books. The museum’s exhibits trace the footsteps of Shusaku Endo as one of Japan’s greatest literary figures. In addition, the facility collects, preserves, and exhibits research materials for public perusal, operating as an information center for his life and works.     Note : “Silence” …

Endo Shusaku Literary Museum…の続きを読む