Nagasaki Sotome Pilgrimage 2-day course
This course is for those traveling on flights departing from and arriving at Nagasaki Airport. We will guide you through the main tourist sites, focusing on the World Heritage sites related to the Hidden Christians. The tour is a two-day, one-night trip (six hours each day) so that even elderly people and wheelchair users can enjoy it 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 be staying at a hotel in Nagasaki 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.
You will learn about the spread of Catholicism and the history of martyrdom at Oura Cathedral and the 26 Martyrs of Japan Memorial Museum.
① Oura Cathedral
Built in 1864 as a church dedicated to the 26 Martyrs of Japan, the church, bearing the characters for "Tenshudo" (House of God) and a cross, was called the "French Temple."
Those with walking disabilities will not be able to reach the cathedral at the top of the stairs, so they will need to park a short distance away and view the main view from the bottom of the stairs.
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②Glover Garden
This park is home to the former residences of foreign merchants who were active in Nagasaki from the end of the Edo period through to the Meiji era. In addition to the Glover House, the oldest wooden Western-style building in Japan, the Alt House and the Ringer House have also been relocated and restored here.
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③Dejima
From the train window
During the Edo period, when Japan was isolated from the rest of the world, this was the only place that was permitted to trade with the outside world, and it was an important gateway to Western culture and information. Take a stroll through the town, which has been restored to its former state, and reminisce about that time.
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④The site of the martyrdom of the 26 Martyrs of Japan
In addition to the 26 Christians who were brought from Kyoto and Osaka by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, many other Christians were executed here. In 1950, it was officially recognized as a pilgrimage site by the Vatican.
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⑤The Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan Memorial Museum
In addition to Xavier's handwritten letters, valuable materials related to the history of Christianity are on display. Wheelchair users cannot go up to the second floor, but even just the first floor is well worth a visit.
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⑥Peace Park
Located on the hill to the north of the Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Park, this park was created with the hope of lasting world peace. In front of the Peace Memorial Statue, created by sculptor Seibo Kitamura, the Peace Fountain is filled with water.
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⑦Santa Clara Temple Ruins
From the train window
It was one of the four secret churches that Father Bernard Petitjean and his associates secretly patrolled, and who witnessed the historic moment of the "discovery of the faithful" at Oura Cathedral in 1865. The others were St. Joseph's, St. Mary's, and St. Xavier's.
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⑧ Nyokodo and the remains of the accounting office residence
From the train window
Dr. Nagai continued to research and publish on atomic disease until just before his death, battling leukemia caused by the atomic bomb. Nyokodo, his final residence, is also the former residence of the head accountant (accountant-general) who led the hidden Christians in Urakami.
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⑨Urakami Cathedral*
Christians who maintained their faith despite persecution overcame financial difficulties and dedicated the temple in 1914. It was destroyed by the atomic bombing in 1945, but was rebuilt in its current form in 1980.
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To a hotel in Nagasaki city
■About lunch
There are many famous restaurants in Nagasaki city, whether Japanese, Western or Chinese. Food is one of the joys of travel, so start by searching the internet or magazines. Of course, if you prefer restaurants recommended by locals, we will pick out a few for you. However, there are many roads in the city that cars cannot enter, so if you make a reservation in advance, we would appreciate it if you could confirm this with the restaurant staff.
Day 1 (approximately 6 hours)
Departure from Nagasaki Airport
We will visit Sotome, the setting of Shusaku Endo's "Silence." If you read the novel or watch the movie "Silence" beforehand, the experience will be even more moving.
*Sightseeing spots marked with " ** " are located on narrow, steep roads and can be guided if there is parking available.
⑩ Kurosaki Church*
This church was the setting for Shusaku Endo's novel "Silence." It was completed in 1920 and built by believers who piled up the bricks. It features a simple exterior and an interior with impressive stained glass.
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⑪沈黙の碑
「人間がこんなに哀しいのに 主よ 海があまりに碧いのです」。
この碑に刻まれている言葉は、建立にあたって遠藤周作氏自らが色紙に書かれたものが写し取られています。
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⑫出津（しつ）教会堂*
It was built based on a design by Father de Rotz, who was affectionately known as "Sir de Rotz." It has a beautiful, clean white plaster exterior, and it is a rare church equipped with two bell towers due to repeated additions.
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⑬Father de Rotz Memorial Museum**
Father de Rotz arrived in Nagasaki on the same ship as Father Petitjean in 1868. Later, in 1879, he became the parish priest of the Sotome and Kurosaki districts, where he helped many residents who suffered from poverty.
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⑭ Former Shitsu Aid Center**
Father de Rotz purchased the former site of the magistrate's office and renovated it into a "Rescue House," a vocational and welfare facility for poor women. In addition to weaving and sewing, it was used for processing food such as macaroni.
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⑮Shusaku Endo Literature Museum
This facility is about the life and footsteps of Shusaku Endo, who wrote the novel Silence, set in Sotome. Inside the museum, a study has been recreated using his favorite desk and chair, and valuable materials such as his handwritten manuscripts and creative notebooks are on display.
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⑯ Roadside Station Yuhigaoka Sotome
In addition to locally grown agricultural, forestry and fishery products, local specialties such as De Lot somen noodles and souvenirs are on sale. There is also a restaurant on the premises, where you can enjoy home-cooked meals that use local ingredients.
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To Nagasaki Airport
■ Recommended restaurants for lunch
If you are heading to Nagasaki Airport, Tenshin in Omura City has a wide variety of menu items and is barrier-free for your peace of mind.
Day 2 (approximately 6 hours)
Departure from the hotel
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.