History of Japanese Christianity
1549: St. Francis Xavier arrives in Kagoshima as the first Christian missionary, marking
the dawn of Christianity in Japan.
1550: St. Francis Xavier travels to Hirado to continue his missionary work.
1551: The first Catholic church in Japan is established in Hirado.
1557: Catholicism is introduced to Ikitsuki and Kasuga in the Hirado region.
1563: Omura Sumitada becomes the first Japanese feudal lord (Daimyo) to
convert to Christianity.
1569: Father Gaspar Vilela establishes the “Todos os Santos” Church, the first
in Nagasaki.
1571: Lord Omura Sumitada opens the Port of Nagasaki to Portuguese trade.
1580: Lord Arima Harunobu converts to Christianity; the first Seminario (seminary)
in Japan is established in Kuchinotsu.
1582: The Tensho Embassy—the first Japanese mission to the Pope in Rome—is
dispatched by Christian lords Otomo Sorin, Omura Sumitada, and Arima Harunobu.
1587: Toyotomi Hideyoshi issues the first official edict banning Christianity.
1590: The Tensho Embassy returns to Nagasaki, bringing Western printing technology
and music.
1597: The Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan are executed by crucifixion in Nagasaki.
Their sacrifice remains a profound cornerstone of Catholic history in Japan
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1603: The Tokugawa Shogunate is established, eventually leading to the national
isolation policy (Sakoku).
1614: The Tokugawa Shogunate issues an edict strictly prohibiting Christianity
throughout Japan.
1622: Five Christians are martyred at Nakae-no-shima Island in Hirado.
1624: Three more Christians face martyrdom at Nakae-no-shima Island in Hirado.
1627: Twenty-seven Christians are martyred at Unzen Jigoku (“Unzen Hell”) amidst
severe persecution.
1637: The Shimabara Rebellion: A massive peasant uprising led by Amakusa Shiro
against the Shogunate’s religious persecution.
1637: Lorenzo Ruiz from the Philippines is martyred at Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki.
He later becomes the first Filipino saint.
1641: Dejima, a small artificial island in Nagasaki, is established as the sole Dutch
trading post during the isolation period.
1644: The last Christian missionary in Japan is martyred, marking the beginning of
the era of “Hidden Christians” (Kakure Kirishitan)
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1853: Commodore Matthew C. Perry of the U.S. Navy arrives in Uraga, playing a pivotal
role in ending Japan’s era of isolation.
1854: The Treaty of Kanagawa is signed between the USA and Japan, officially opening
the country to the world.
1858: Treaties of Amity and Commerce are signed with the USA, the Netherlands,
Russia, Great Britain, and France, allowing religious freedom within designated
foreign residential areas.
1862: The 26 Martyrs of Japan are canonized by Pope Pius IX at Nishizaka Hill, Nagasaki.
1865: Oura Cathedral is established in Nagasaki as a basilica dedicated to the 26 Martyrs.
1868: The Meiji Restoration marks the end of over 250 years of Tokugawa Shogunate rule,
restoring imperial power and heralding a new era of modernization.
1873: The long-standing ban on Christianity is finally lifted.
1882: Construction of Shitsu Church in Sotome begins, based on the visionary designs
of Father de Rotz.
1909: Shitsu Church is completed.
1914: Urakami Cathedral is completed in Nagasaki; at the time, it was the largest Catholic
church in East Asia.
1912: Yamada Church in Hirado is constructed.
1917: Tabira Church in Hirado is constructed.
1920: Kurosaki Church is completed, another masterpiece designed by Father de Rotz.
1931: St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church in Hirado is established at its current location.
1945: On August 9, the atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, devastating the city and
claiming countless lives. Urakami Cathedral is completely destroyed.
An estimated 73,000 people died instantly, with another 60,000 injured
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1950: Pope Pius XII designates Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki—the site of the 26
Martyrs—as an official Catholic pilgrimage site.
1959: The reconstruction of Urakami Cathedral is completed, standing once
again as a symbol of faith and resilience.
1981: Pope John Paul II makes a historic visit to Nagasaki, delivering a powerful
message of peace.
1982: Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) visits Nagasaki, touching the
hearts of the local community.
18 Oct 1987: Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is canonized at the Vatican, becoming the first Filipino
Saint and forever linking the histories of the Philippines and Nagasaki.
2000: The Shusaku Endo Literary Museum opens in Sotome, dedicated to the author
of the world-renowned novel, Silence.
2018: The “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region” are officially inscribed on
the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognizing their unique and profound cultural
value to humanity
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2019: Pope Francis visits Nagasaki on November 24. At Ground Zero, he delivers a
profound apostolic message, calling for a ‘world without nuclear weapons’ and
urging humanity to pursue a future of lasting peace