Ino Tadataka started surveying the land of Japan at the age of 56, and spent 17 years creating Japan’s first accurate map of Japan based on actual measurements. The map was completed in 1821, three years after his death. Siebold came to Japan in 1823 as a Dutch doctor, and not only introduced Western culture to Japan, but also passionately researched and collected materials about Japan. When he was returning to Dutch, he was found hiding a secret Japanese map made by Ino Tadataka, and was ordered to be deported. However, at that time, he succeeded in secretly copying the map and taking it with him. Siebold introduced Japan to the West through the maps and materials he brought back. This information served as a reference when Mathew C Perry visited Uraga in 1853.

Accurate Japanese map completed by Ino T…の続きを読む

  Ino Tadataka started surveying the land of Japan at the age of 56, and spent 17 years creating Japan’s first accurate map of Japan based on actual measurements. The map was completed in 1821, three years after his death. Siebold came to Japan in 1823 as a Dutch doctor, and not only introduced Western culture to Japan, but also passionately researched and collected materials about Japan. When he was returning to Dutch, he was found hiding a secret Japanese map made by Ino Tadataka, and was ordered to be deported. However, at that time, he succeeded in secretly copying the map and taking it with him. Siebold introduced Japan to the West through the maps and materials he brought back. This information served as a reference when Mathew C Perry came to Uraga in 1853.

Accurate Japanese map completed by Ino T…の続きを読む

  In 1868, Meiji Restoration, the most important event in Japanese history, which heralded a new era of modernization in Japan.    This revolution restored the imperial rule to Japan after more than 250years of Tokugawa Shogunate.

Meiji Restoration in 1868…の続きを読む

  In 1873, the Meiji government abolished the ban on Christianity. Believers who had been in hiding returned to Catholicism, and churches in various villages were built with a variety of designs that combined Japanese and Western techniques.    Although many Hidden Christians returned to Catholicism, there are still people in the Nagasaki region who did not return to Catholicism and still preserve and pass on the unique religious rituals of the Hidden era, and they are called “Hidden Christians.”

Ban on Christianity was abolished in 187…の続きを読む

  In 1873, the Meiji government abolished the ban on Christianity. Believers who had been in hiding returned to Catholicism, and churches in various villages were built with a variety of designs that combined Japanese and Western techniques.   Although many Hidden Christians returned to Catholicism, there are still people in the Nagasaki region who did not return to Catholicism and still preserve and pass on the unique religious rituals of the Hidden era, and they are called “Hidden Christians.”

Ban on Christianity was abolished in 187…の続きを読む

  Yaki curry is a local cuisine in Moji, Kitakyushu-city. Yaki curry latterly means baked curry and is curry with rice topped with cheese and/or egg heated in oven. The melted cheese and soft-boiled egg combine with the spicy curry to enhance its flavor even more.  

Yaki curry, 焼きカレー…の続きを読む

  In 1858, Tokugawa shogunate concluded treaties of amity and commerce with United States, the Netherlands, Russia, Great Britain, France, and Japan, and allowed religious freedom in the foreign residence area in Nagasaki ; Dejima, Higashi-yamate district and Minami-yamate district. The Protestant Church began first missionary work, and the Catholic Church began missionary work again.

Religious freedom allowed in Nagasaki in…の続きを読む

  Cruz Sea is located in Hyuga, Miyazaki-prefecture. Your wishes come true here. The Cruz Sea is an area of ocean that appears to have a cross in it when viewed from an observatory. This cape is known as a ria coast; the “cross shape” was created by the narrow terrain here being eroded by rivers, resulting in a cross-shaped sea route. Because the cross-shape looks similar to the Japanese kanji character 叶 (meaning “to grant a wish”) it is commonly said that if you make a wish here it will be granted.     

Cruz Sea, in Hyuga, Miyazaki-prefecture…の続きを読む

  Sakura-jima Island is the symbol of Kagoshima. The smoke and steam rises almost every day from the active volcano Minamidake.  Formerly an island, it became connected with the Osumi Peninsula in 1914 when lava from its summit closed the channel between  the two. Sakura-jima Ferry connects Kagoshima-city and Sakurajima in 15 minutes and is operated for 24 hours.             

Sakura-jima island, in Kagoshima Prefect…の続きを読む

  Kawara soba is a local cuisine which Soba noodles and meat are cooked together on a Kawara (stone roof tile) and dipped into a special sauce when eating it. It is said that the hints were obtained from the time when during the Seinan civil war in 1877, soldiers of Satsuma who surrounded the Kumamoto castle used kawara (stone roof tiles) to cook wild plants and meat.   It is said that the hints were obtained from the time when during the Seinan civil war in 1877, soldiers of Satsuma who surrounded the Kumamoto castle used kawara (stone roof tiles) to cook wild plants and meat.

Kawara Sobe, 瓦そば…の続きを読む