Hirado, the first town that St. Francis Xavier visited in Nagasaki
Statue of Xavier along the “Road of History”
Hirado, which was an important crossroads for international shipping routes that connected Japan to the Asian continent, became the center of Christian missionary work after St. Francis Xavier visited the city in 1550.
When Christianity was banned in the early 1600’s many Christians continued their faith underground as Hidden Christians. After the ban was lifted in the late 1800’s some returned to the Catholic church, and others continued their unique faith that had changed considerably underground.
As a result, Hirado is dotted with many heritage sites that are related to Hidden Christians who have diligently preserved their unique faith and culture.
Terraced rice fields of Kasuga village
Two areas in Hirado are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region". These two areas are enlisted as "Kasuga Village and Sacred Places in Hirado".
Nakaenoshima Island (Courtesy of third party)
Kasuga village in Hirado has also been designated as a national important cultural landscape. It is a precious place where you can find a unique landscape consisting of beautiful terraced rice fields, pastures, and residential areas. This unspoiled landscape was created in the midst of hard life on a remote island closed of by the sea.
Sacred site of DanjikusamaThe shoreline at the sacred site Danjikusama
Bring your camera for a walk around Kasuga village
Terraced rice fields of Kasuga village 1 (Courtesy of third party)
If you want to know more about Kasuga Village, which is included in the world heritage site "Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region", it is recommend to stop by the Kasuga Village Information Center "Katarina" first.
Information center “Katarina” is where you can learn more about the culture and landscape of Kasuga Village and where it’s outstanding universal value, which makes it a world heritage site, is passed on to the next generation.
Kasuga Village Information Center “Katarina”
This is a great place to take a break and listen to the stories of local Kasuga residents over a relaxing cup of tea
Community Space of Kasuga Village Information Center Katarina (Courtesy of third party)
Listening to the local’s stories, you might feel that time has slowed down and you are visiting long lost friends far away in the countryside. It will certainly make you want to walk around Kasuga village and see the terraced rice paddies.
There are many great places to take nice pictures of the beautiful views, so you might want to take your camera along.
Terraced rice fields of Kasuga village - 3 (courtesy of third party)
It is especially worth seeing Maruo Hill, which is located in the center of Kasuga valley, offering splendid panoramic views of the entire area.
A sign saying "3 minutes to the top. You can do it!" will hopefully motivate you enough to climb up the steep hill, because the impressive 360° view of the terraced rice paddies is definitely worth the climb.
Please be sure to close this fence after you pass through it, as wild boars can get in.
Terraced rice fields of Kasuga village
It is said that a large cross stood here before the oppression of Christianity became severe.
Cross Ikitsuki Bridge to Ikitsuki Island
Ikitsuki Bridge Rest Area
Ikitsuki Island, not far from Kasuga Village, is an island that became accessible by vehicle from Hirado Island with the opening of the Ikitsuki Bridge in 1991.
Sunset Way - 2 (courtesy of third party)
The island is small enough to be explored in about an hour by car, so you can enjoy the beautiful nature while driving around and visiting Hidden Christian related sites.
At the base of the Ikitsuki Bridge, you will find a rest area with stores, a tourist information center, and an observation deck where you can relax and enjoy the panoramic view of the ocean and the beautiful blue Ikitsuki Bridge.
Ikitsuki Bridge Rest Area Entrance
Ikitsuki Bridge Rest Area seen from the bridge)
It is a 3-minute drive from the rest area to the Ikitsuki Island Museum or “Shima-no-yakata”, which is a must-visit spot as it has a very good exhibits about the history and culture of the Hidden Christians.
The museum also displays the oldest whaling related documents in Japan and has easy-to-understand exhibits with dioramas and videos, so it is well worth a visit to see and experience the charm of Ikitsuki.
Ikitsuki Island Museum
Ikitsuki Island Museum
A five-minute drive from Ikitsuki Bridge is the tomb of Gaspar (baptismal name) Nishi, who became the first martyr of Ikitsuki.
Yamada Church, which is not far from here, has a cross that was made from a pine tree that was planted at Gaspar's grave.
Gaspar Memorial (Kurose-no-tsuji Martyr Memorial)
Yamada Church
On the other side of the island, located on the seashore at the bottom of a cliff, reachable only by a small mountain road, you can find the memorial grave of Danjiku-sama.
Danjiku-sama
This is another sacred place where a memorial grave indicates where a Christian family, a couple and their child, were martyred.
Obae Lighthouse
If you come to Ikitsuki Island, you must surely visit the Obae Lighthouse at the northernmost tip of the island.
Obae Lighthouse
The white lighthouse standing on top of an 80-metre high precipice provides spectacular views of the surrounding sea and the rugged coastline.
Shiodawara Cliffs
Sunset Way
The Ikitsuki Sunset Way, which runs along the west coast of Ikitsuki Island, is such a beautiful driving course that it has been used as a location for many car commercials, so make sure you drive along this road on your way back.
Christian heritage sites around Hirado
Himosashi Church (courtesy of third party)
In addition to the Hidden Christian sites mentioned above, there are many other heritage sites and Catholic churches in Hirado that are related to the Christian history of the area.
Hoki Church – 2 (courtesy of third party)
Tabira Church - 3 (courtesy of third party)
Hoki church is Hirado’s oldest church in existence, Tabira Church is a redbrick church built on a hill overlooking the Hirado Strait, and the large Himosashi Church has beautiful stained glass windows inside. These and other churches in Hirado all have their own unique history behind their beautiful appearance.
Kirishitan Museum – 1 (courtesy of third party)
Furthermore, if you go to the Ushiwaki pine grove next to the beautiful Neshiko beach, you can visit the Kirishitan Museum to see historical objects related to the Hidden Christians.
The beliefs and culture of the local Christians are deeply etched into the long and captivating history of Hirado.
Terraced rice fields of Kasuga village – 2 (courtesy of third party)
Path to Danjikusama
We invite you to take some time to tour around the many heritage sites which have been carefully preserved amidst Hirado’s beautiful nature and tell the moving history of the Hidden Christians on these islands.
Shiodawara cliffs