Nagasaki Pilgrimage 6 days tour
Discover something while visiting Christian Pilgrimage sites.
Christian history in Japan was started when St. Francis Xavier came to Japan as a first Christian
missionary in 1549. Then Christianity was spread in Nagasaki region. However, unparalleled
hidden Cristian history was started from when Toyotomi Hideyoshi Shogunate proclaimed Christian
ban in 1587. During ban on Christianity, people secretly continued to faith while surviving in the
midst of the conventional society and Japanese religions.
Since ban on the Christianity was lifted in 1873, new Christian history in Japan has begun.
Where to visit : Pilgrimage sites in Sotome, Nagasaki-city, Shimabara, Unzen, Amakusa
This is a Sample plan for making your customized tour. Make an Enquiry
The customized tour will made based on this Nagasaki
Pilgrimage 6 days tour, please send an Enquiry for making
the customized tour.
・Charted taxi with English speaking driver who knows the places very well, and
can give you local information anywhere you will visit.
Option : Chartered taxi with Japanese drive if Professional Tour guide is requested
・Start and end of the tour is Fukuoka–city, please specify the place where you want
・Tour date : please specify the date
・Accommodation, to be selected from budget hotels to luxury properties
Day by Day
Day 1 Sotome & Nagasaki
Where to explore
Sotome Pilgrimage sites / UNESCO World Heritage Hidden Christian sites
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On an elevation commanding a view over the Sea of Goto, Father Marc Marie de Rotz established a church at his own expense 1882. The building was extended and renovated again and again. A statue of Mary that he ordered from France is standing in the bell tower. |
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The setting of Endo Shusaku’s novel Silence. Sotome 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. |
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Nagasaki China town at shinchi is one of the big three china town in Japan. There are about 50 Chinese restaurants and many Chinese sundries shops in there. |
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Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan Nishizaka hill is the most significant Christian Pilgrimage site in Japan. The 26 Martyrs of Japan were a group of Catholics who were executed by crucifixion on February 5, 1597.Their martyrdom is especially significant in the history of the Catholic Church in Japan. |
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Oura Cathedral / UNESCO World Heritage 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.” Missionary Church of Paris to dedicate prayers to the 26 saints martyred on Nishizaka hill. |
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Glover Garden / UNESCO World Heritage Glover Garden has nine Western style buildings. The Glover’s Residence built in 1863 and is Japan’s oldest wooden Western–style building has been registered on UNESCO World Heritages The elegant scenery of Nagasaki harbor view from Glover Garden can be enjoyed. |
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It is a 333 meter high mountain in close distance to JR Nagasaki Station. The summit can be reached by ropeway or car and offers great views over the city. And also, the magnificent night views from Mount Inasa are ranked among Japan’s three best night views. |
Itinerary
Depart Fukuoka-city
Transfer to Nagasaki-city
Lunch at China Town
Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan
Stay at Nagasaki–city
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The museum exhibits a number of photograph that depict the devastation caused by atomic bomb showing the lead-up to this tragic day, the history of the development of nuclear arms and our desire for peace. |
 |
The plutonium atomic bomb exploded about 500m over the central monument at 11:02 a.m. on August 9, 1945. The most part of Nagasaki was destroyed, and a tremendous number of lives were lost. |
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Completed in 1955, ten years after the Atomic bombing. The 9.7 meter high statue sitting on a 4 meter tall pedestal. The raised arm points to the threat of nuclear weapons and the out-stretched arm symbolizes peace. |
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One of the best scenic spot in Unzen. At any time of the year the natural scenery of Nita Pass in Unzen is magnificent. Azaleas, green leaves, brilliant autumnal tints of maples and silver frost represent each season of the year. |
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Jigoku, means Hell, is the number one attraction of Unzen with a peculiar smell of sulfur emitted from the springs, and with white smoke rising from the ground over a wide area. This is a striking reminder that Unzen Volcano is still very much alive. |
Itinerary
Day 3 Shimabara & Amakusa
Where to explore
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The Christian pilgrimage site, registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. The battle field of Shimabara Rebellion which was a peasant uprising agaist bakufu’s persecution of Christians under the leadership of Amakusa Shiro in 1637. |
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Located in Shimabara-city and was built in 1625 by the feudal load Matsukura Shigemasa, who was regarded as a master of castle building. The castle, which took 7 years to complete, is also known as “Moritake Castle”. |
Itinerary
Exploring Shimabara
Samurai Houses & Samurai street
Lunch at Shimabara, local delicacy food, Guzoni
Transfer to Minami Shimabara
Transfer to Amakusa from Kuchinotsu
Stay in Amakusa
Day 4 Amakusa & Kumamoto
Where to explore
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The oldest Catholic Church in Amakusa and was one of the first churches built right after the ban on Christianity was lifted. The and Romanesque-style architecture and the chalky white structure was rebuilt in 1933 by a French missionary priest named Father Garnier using his own money. |
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Sakitsu Village / UNESCO World Heritage A Gothic-looking church is located on a cove of a fishing village. In 1934, a French priest Augustin Halbout MEP purchased the premises of the former village headman and built a wooden and concrete finished church, with Tetsukawa Yosuke’s design and construction. |
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The theme Museum shows History of Christianity in Amakusa and Shimabara Rebellion which was a peasant uprising against bakufu’s persecution of Christians under the leadership of Amakusa Shiro in 1637. |
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Josaien is located in Sakurano-baba, at the foot of Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s three major castles. It is a popular tourist attraction designed to enhance the appeal of the old castle town and convey to visitors the food, history and cultural traditions of the region from Kumamoto Castle. |
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The Castle is one of the three great castles and one of the 100 best places in Japan to view cherry blossoms. Due to the Earthquakes in 2016, the Castle have heavy damages and many of Castle buildings were destroyed. After that the restoration activities are being performed as fast as possible. |
Itinerary
8:00 Depart Hotel
Visiting Hidden Christian sites in Amakusa
Travel Amakusa Gokyo / Pearl line
Transfer to Kumamoto
Exploring Kumamoto
Stay in Kumamoto
Day 5 Hirado
Where to explore
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The church was designed by Tetsukawa Yosuke, a famous architect of various churches in Nagasaki-prefecture, and built between 1915 and 1917. It is one of the latest brick churches in the prefecture of Nagasaki. Tetsukawa Yosuke has called this one of his best works. |
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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 grand Tsurugamine Mansion, built in 1893. Hirado has a long history of overseas exchange due to its geographical location. |
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St Francis Xavier Memorial Church 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. |
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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. |
Itinerary
Depart Kumamoto
Transfer to Hirado
Visit Tabira Church
Lunch at Hirado, local delicacy sea food
Exploring Hirado
St Francis Xavier Memorial Church
Stay at Hirado
Day 6 Hirado
Where to explore
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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. The Matsura Clan continued ruling Hirado for the next two and a half centuries. |
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Nakae no Shima / UNESCO World Heritage Located two kilometers off the coast of Hirado Island, Nakae no Shima is a small, uninhabited island where religious leaders were executed during the persecution of Christians. The island is considered sacred, and water collected there is used for baptism. |
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Kasuga Village / UNESCO World Heritage This idyllic village was refuge to a small community of Hidden Christians who practiced here for centuries, far from the prying eyes of the government. After the ban on Christianity, the local villagers decided to continue practicing their own unique brand of the religion rather than region the Catholic Church. |
Itinerary
Depart Hotel
Exploring Hirado
Nakae no Shima
Transfer to Fukuoka
Arrive at Hotel in Fukuoka
Travelling Map
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Nagasaki Pilgrimage one-day tour
Discover something while visiting Christian Pilgrimage sites.
Christian history in Japan was started when St. Francis Xavier came to Japan as a first Christian
missionary in 1549. Then Christianity was spread in Nagasaki region. However, unparalleled
hidden Cristian history was started from when Toyotomi Hideyoshi Shogunate proclaimed Christian
ban in 1587. During ban on Christianity, people secretly continued to faith while surviving in the
midst of the conventional society and Japanese religions.
Since ban on the Christianity was lifted in 1873, new Christian history in Japan has begun.
Where to visit: Pilgrimage sites in Sotome and Nagasaki-city
This is a Sample plan for making your customized tour. Make an Enquiry
The customized tour will be created made based on this
Nagasaki Pilgrimage one-day tour, please send an Enquiry
for making the customized tour.
・Charted taxi with English speaking driver who knows the places very well, and
can give you local information anywhere you will visit.
Option : Chartered taxi with Japanese drive if Professional Tour guide is requested
・Start and end of the tour is Fukuoka–city, please specify the place where you want
・Tour date : please specify the date
Where to visit
Sotome Pilgrimage sites / UNESCO World Heritage Hidden Christian sites
|
On an elevation commanding a view over the Sea of Goto, Father Marc Marie de Rotz established a church at his own expense 1882. The building was extended and renovated again and again. A statue of Mary that he ordered from France is standing in the bell tower. |
|
The setting of Endo Shusaku’s novel Silence. Sotome 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. |
Nagasaki
|
The plutonium atomic bomb exploded about 500m over the central monument at 11:02 a.m. on August 9, 1945. The most part of Nagasaki was destroyed, and a tremendous number of lives were lost. |
|
Completed in 1955, ten years after the Atomic bombing. The 9.7 meter high statue sitting on a 4 meter tall pedestal. The raised arm points to the threat of nuclear weapons and the out-stretched arm symbolizes peace. |
|
Nagasaki China town at shinchi is one of the big three china town in Japan. There are about 50 Chinese restaurants and many Chinese sundries shops in there. |
|
Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan Nishizaka hill is the most significant Christian Pilgrimage site in Japan. The 26 Martyrs of Japan were a group of Catholics who were executed by crucifixion on February 5, 1597.Their martyrdom is especially significant in the history of the Catholic Church in Japan. |
|
Oura Cathedral / UNESCO World Heritage 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.” Missionary Church of Paris to dedicate prayers to the 26 saints martyred on Nishizaka hill. |
Itinerary
8:00 Depart Fukuoka-city
Transfer to Nagasaki-city, 2hours
Lunch at China Town
Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan
Transfer to Fukuoka-city, 2hours
18:00 Arrive at Fukuoka-city
Map of Nagasaki
Home Our Services About us Contact us Kyushu Travel Guide
Nagasaki Pilgrimage 3 days tour
Discover something while visiting Christian Pilgrimage sites.
Christian history in Japan was started when St. Francis Xavier came to Japan as a first Christian
missionary in 1549. Then Christianity was spread in Nagasaki region. However, unparalleled
hidden Cristian history was started from when Toyotomi Hideyoshi Shogunate proclaimed Christian
ban in 1587. During ban on Christianity, people secretly continued to faith while surviving in the
midst of the conventional society and Japanese religions.
Since ban on the Christianity was lifted in 1873, new Christian history in Japan has begun.
Where to visit : Pilgrimage sites in Sotome, Nagasaki-city, Shimabara and Unzen
This is a Sample plan for creating your customized tour. Make an Enquiry
The customized tour will made based on this Nagasaki
Pilgrimage 3 day tour, please send an enquiry for making
the customized tour.
・Charted taxi with English speaking driver who knows the places very well, and
can give you local information anywhere you will visit.
Option : Chartered taxi with Japanese drive if Professional Tour guide is requested
・Start and end of the tour is Fukuoka–city, please specify the place where you want
・Tour date : please specify the date
・Accommodation, to be selected from budget hotels to luxury properties
Day by Day
Day 1 Sotome & Nagasaki
Where to explore
Sotome Pilgrimage sites / UNESCO World Heritage Hidden Christian sites
|
On an elevation commanding a view over the Sea of Goto, Father Marc Marie de Rotz established a church at his own expense 1882. The building was extended and renovated again and again. A statue of Mary that he ordered from France is standing in the bell tower. |
|
The setting of Endo Shusaku’s novel Silence. Sotome 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. |
Nagasaki
|
Nagasaki China town at shinchi is one of the big three china town in Japan. There are about 50 Chinese restaurants and many Chinese sundries shops in there. |
|
Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan Nishizaka hill is the most significant Christian Pilgrimage site in Japan. The 26 Martyrs of Japan were a group of Catholics who were executed by crucifixion on February 5, 1597.Their martyrdom is especially significant in the history of the Catholic Church in Japan. |
|
Oura Cathedral / UNESCO World Heritage 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.” Missionary Church of Paris to dedicate prayers to the 26 saints martyred on Nishizaka hill. |
|
Glover Garden / UNESCO World Heritage Glover Garden has nine Western style buildings. The Glover’s Residence built in 1863 and is Japan’s oldest wooden Western–style building has been registered on UNESCO World Heritages The elegant scenery of Nagasaki harbor view from Glover Garden can be enjoyed. |
|
It is a 333 meter high mountain in close distance to JR Nagasaki Station. The summit can be reached by ropeway or car and offers great views over the city. And also, the magnificent night views from Mount Inasa are ranked among Japan’s three best night views. |
Itinerary
Depart Fukuoka-city
Transfer to Nagasaki-city
Lunch at China Town
Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan
Stay at Nagasaki–city
|
The museum exhibits a number of photograph that depict the devastation caused by atomic bomb showing the lead-up to this tragic day, the history of the development of nuclear arms and our desire for peace. |
|
The plutonium atomic bomb exploded about 500m over the central monument at 11:02 a.m. on August 9, 1945. The most part of Nagasaki was destroyed, and a tremendous number of lives were lost. |
|
Completed in 1955, ten years after the Atomic bombing. The 9.7 meter high statue sitting on a 4 meter tall pedestal. The raised arm points to the threat of nuclear weapons and the out-stretched arm symbolizes peace. |
|
One of the best scenic spot in Unzen. At any time of the year the natural scenery of Nita Pass in Unzen is magnificent. Azaleas, green leaves, brilliant autumnal tints of maples and silver frost represent each season of the year. |
|
Jigoku, means Hell, is the number one attraction of Unzen with a peculiar smell of sulfur emitted from the springs, and with white smoke rising from the ground over a wide area. This is a striking reminder that Unzen Volcano is still very much alive. |
Itinerary
Day 3 Shimabara
Where to explore
|
The Christian pilgrimage site, registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. The battle field of Shimabara Rebellion which was a peasant uprising agaist bakufu’s persecution of Christians under the leadership of Amakusa Shiro in 1637. |
|
Located in Shimabara-city and was built in 1625 by the feudal load Matsukura Shigemasa, who was regarded as a master of castle building. The castle, which took 7 years to complete, is also known as “Moritake Castle”. |
Itinerary
Transfer to Minami Shimabara
Lunch at Shimabara, local cuisine Guzoni
Transfer to Fukuoka-city
Arrive at Fukuoka-city
Map of Nagasaki-prefecture
Home Our Services About us Contact us Kyushu Travel Guide
History of Japanese Christianity
Christian history in Japan was started when St. Francis Xavier came to Japan as a first Christian
missionary in 1549. Then Christianity was spread in Nagasaki region. However, unparalleled
hidden Cristian history was started from when Toyotomi Hideyoshi Shogunate proclaimed Christian
ban in 1587. During ban on Christianity, people secretly continued to faith while surviving in the
midst of the conventional society and Japanese religions.
Since ban on the Christianity was lifted in 1873, new Christian history in Japan has begun.
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
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 and ura Sumitada
to dispatch the Tensho Mission to the Pope in Rome
1587 Shogunate, Toyotomi Hideyoshi proclaimed Christian ban
1590 The Tensho Mission retured to Nagasaki
1597 The Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan, were a group of Catholics who were
executed by crucifixion on February 5 at Nagasaki. Their martyrdom is especially
significant in the history of the Catholic Church in Japan.
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1603 Tokugawa Shogunate was established and the natioal isolation policy was applied
1614 The Tokugawa Shogunate prohibited Christianity throughout Japan
Continue Christian faith during the ban period in the following hidden Christian sites registered on
the UNESCO World Hiritage Sites
・Kasuga Village in Hitado
・Ikitsuki in Hirado
・Goto island
・Amakusa
1622 five Christians were martyred at Nakae no Shima in Hirado
1624 three Christians were martyred at Nakae no Shima in Hirado
1627 twenty seven Christians were martyred at Unzen Jigoku
1637 Shimabara Rebellion : a peasant uprising against bakufu’s persecution of Christians
under the leadership of Amakusa Shiro
1637 Lorenzo Luiz from Philippines martyred at Nashizaka hill in Nagasaki
1641 Dejima, the small artificial island was opened as Dutch trading port in Nagasaki
1644 Last Christian missionary in Japan is martyred
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1862 The 26 Japanese Martyrs at Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki were canonized by Pope Pius IX.
1865 Oura Cathedral was built as the basilica of Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan
1868 Meiji Restoration : led to enormous changes in Japan’s political and social structure and
spanned both the late Edo period and the beginning of the Meiji period.
1873 Ban on the Christianity was lifted
1882 Shitsu Church in Sotome construction started by Father de Rotz’s design
1909 Shitsu Church was completed
1914 Urakami Cathedral construction was completed, it was the largest Catholic church in East Asia
at that time
1912 Yamada Church in Hirado was constructed
1917 Tabira Church in Hirado was constructed
1920 Kurosaki Church was completed by Father de Rotz’s design
1931 St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church in Hirado was constructed at the present location
1945 Atomic bomb dropped in Nagasaki on Aug. 9
The most part of Nagasaki was destroyed, and a tremendous number of lives were lost.
and Urakami Cathedral was completely destroyed.
About 73,000 died instantly, and up to 60,000 were injured.
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1950 Pope Pius XII designated the Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaaki of Martyrdom of 26 Japanese
Saints as an official Pilgrimage site for Catholics
1959 Urakami Cathedral replacement was built
1981 Pope John Paul II visited in Nagasaki
1982 Saint Teresa of Calcutta commonly known as Mother Teresa visited in Nagasaki
1987 Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was canonized by the same pope in the Vatican city on 18 October,
making him the first Filipino Saint
2000 Ebdo Shusaku ( novelist of Silence ) Literary Museum is opened in Sotome
2018 Hidden Christian site is registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage
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2019 Pope Francis visited Nagasaki on Nov.24 and and calls for a ‘world without Nuclear
Weapons’ at the Ground Zero.
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