Hirado and Ikitsuki Pilgrimage 2-day course
This course is for those traveling on flights departing from and arriving at Nagasaki Airport. It is structured around the world heritage sites related to the Hidden Christians, as well as major tourist sites, and is a two-day, one-night trip (six hours each day) that can be enjoyed by elderly people and those using wheelchairs without difficulty.
[Day 1]
We will come to the Nagasaki Airport lobby to pick you up according to the arrival time of your outbound flight.
You will stay at a hotel in Hirado City. Please note that accommodation fees are not included in the course fee.
[Day 2]
Please arrange your hotel departure time so that you arrive at Nagasaki Airport at least 2 hours before your return flight.
For each of the two-day, one-night courses, you can change the starting and ending points to Nagasaki City, or combine two courses to make a three-day, two-night trip . Please contact us by phone or email.
We will visit Hirado, the place where Christianity was first introduced to Nagasaki Prefecture and where Xavier walked.
①天正遣欧少年使節顕彰之像
From the train window
As the spread of Christianity progressed, these statues were created of young boys who were sent to Europe as representatives of Omura Sumitada, Otomo Sorin, and Arima Harunobu, at the suggestion of Italian Jesuit missionary Valignano.
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②Houkobaru Martyrdom Site
In the 1657 incident known as the "Gunkuzure" (Colonization of Christians), 603 hidden Christians were arrested, and 406 were executed. Hokohara is where 131 of them were martyred.
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3. Roadside Station Sonogi no Sho
ご当地出身のタレントさんも、帰省のたびに立ち寄る場所。特産品やおみやげ品が豊富に揃っています。レストランのご当地飯もおいしいですが、トイレがとても綺麗です。
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④Hasami ware, Kurawan Hall
This tourist souvenir shop is located on the first floor of the "Ceramics Museum" in Pottery Park. In addition to enjoying choosing tableware from the lineup of Hasami ware pottery, you can also purchase local specialty sake and handmade miso paste.
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⑤Tahira Cathedral*
Master carpenter Tetsukawa Yosuke was involved in the design and construction of the church, and it took three years to build, starting in 1915. It is the last remaining brick church, and there are still traces of believers collecting seashells to make lime.
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⑥Hirado Bridge
From the train window
This suspension bridge connecting Hirado Island and Tabira Town opened in 1977. The vermilion paint stands out against the blue sky and sea, making it a popular photo spot for families and groups out driving.
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⑦Hirado Xavier Memorial Church*
The church was dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, but since a statue of Francis Xavier was erected next to the church on the 40th anniversary of its dedication, it has been called the Hirado Xavier Memorial Church.
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⑧Matsuura Historical Museum
This museum is housed in the former residence of the Matsuura family, feudal lords of Hirado, and is a tangible cultural property designated by Nagasaki Prefecture as the "Former Matsuura Family Residence." It exhibits materials from the era when trade between Japan and the Netherlands was at its peak.
Staff will assist wheelchair users.
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To a hotel in Hirado city
■ Recommended restaurants for lunch
The restaurants at Roadside Station Hasami are reasonably priced.
There are several stylish restaurants around Hasami Kurawankan.
Day 1 (approximately 6 hours)
Departure from Nagasaki Airport
Day 2 (approximately 6 hours)
Departure from the hotel
At the Ikitsuki Island Island House, you will learn about the transition from "hidden Christians" to "hidden Christians."
⑩ Hirado City Ikitsuki Town Museum "Island House"
The museum has well-preserved and exhibited materials related to whaling, which was once popular on Ikitsuki Island, as well as the religious practices of the hidden Christians that were continued even after the ban on Christianity was lifted. You can also listen to Orasho in the videos screened inside the museum.
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⑪ Kurose-no-tsuji Martyrdom Site (Gaspar)
Nishigenka (baptized Gaspar), a leader of the hidden Christians who was born on Ikitsuki Island in Hirado, was captured and executed here in 1609. A monument was erected here in 1991, and the place has become a sacred site.
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⑫Yamada Church*
This brick church was built by master carpenter Yosuke Tetsukawa, who also worked on Tabira Church. The distinctive bat ceiling is decorated with a rare collage of butterfly wings.
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⑬Himosashi Church*
Himosashi was once home to many hidden Christians from Omura Domain and Sotome, and was managed by a French missionary, Father Peyrou. The church, built in 1929, was also designed by Yosuke Tetsukawa.
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⑭ Houki Church
This wooden church, quietly standing in the mountains, is a church with many architectural features. Its construction was personally supervised by French missionary Father Matala in 1897, and was completed in 1898.
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⑮ Roadside station "Tabira Insect Village"
This facility is famous for its rhinoceros beetle monument, and exhibits panels of insects photographed by photographer Satoshi Kuribayashi using a special camera. Seafood and vegetables picked that morning are on sale. Another plus is that the toilets are clean.
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To Nagasaki Airport
■ Recommended restaurants for lunch
At Umi no Mieru Gohan-ya, located near the Hirado Ohashi Bridge, you can enjoy seafood that is a specialty of Hirado.
Tour locations marked with an "*" require prior reservation, which we will make arrangements for.
Please feel free to contact us by phone or email regarding the cost of this course.
- We can also accommodate changes to each spot, so please feel free to contact us.