This is a church with Gaudi-style twin tower designed by Kenjiro Imai, built next to the Nishizaka Martyrdom site    When there was a plan to build a memorial hall for the 26 Japanese Saints next to Nishizaka Martyrdon site, a large donation was made from Mexico, and the Church was built in 1962. This church is dedicated to Mexican Filippo de Jesus, who is one of the 26 Saints. Filippo de Jesus was a Franciscan Catholic missionary who became one of the 26 Martyrs of Japan, the first Mexican Saint.  

Saint Filippo de Jesus Church ( Japan 26…の続きを読む

  In 1579, Priest Alessandro Valignano of Jesus from Portugal came to Japan to inspect the situatin of missionary work in Japan. Valignano believed that training Japanese priests and monks was the key to the success of missionary work in Japan. And then, he made the Japan’s first Seminary in Shimabara peninsula in 1580, where was the Hinoe Castle town of Arima Harunobu.     Among the first students, included member of Tensho youth mission to Europe who were Ito Mansho Ito, Chijiwa Miguel, Hara Martino and Nakaura Julian. Note : Seminary is an educational institution established in Japan by the Society of Jesus between 1580 and 1614 to train Jesuit priests and monks.  

Japan’s first Seminary…の続きを読む

  There were 24 martyrs when they started Kyoto, but two more martyrs were added in Shimonoseki, then became 26 martyrs in total. The route of this day was from Karato in Shimonoseki to Kokura in Kitakyushu. Rode on the boat at Karato, and transfer to Dairi in Kitakyushu          Karato    Kanmon Strait        Dairi They landed at Dairi and walked 6 km along the coastline of Kanmon Strait to Kokura, where was the place to stay.       It is said that they stayed around Kokura Castle.   

26 Saints Pilgrimage route on January 27…の続きを読む

  This Cathedral is house of prayer for tens of thousands Christians who were martyred between 1612 and 1658 throughout the Shimabara Peninsula. It was built in 1997 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of 26 Japanese Saints and the 360th anniversary of the Shimabara Rebellion. The Cathedral is a beautiful octagonal building with a large octagonal dome.  

Shimabara Peninsula Martyrs Memorial Cat…の続きを読む

  The route of this day was from Akama in Munakata to Wajiro, the distance was 21 km.     Started at Akama accommodation and using Karatsu walking road, they went to Wajiro passing through Koga and Shingu. Accommodation was Wajiro where faced Hakata bay, in order to cross from Saitozaki to Shikanoshima the next day.

26 Saints Pilgrimage route on January 29…の続きを読む

  There are over eighty thousand Shinto shrines in Japan, and they represent the oldest architectural style in the country. Shinto is a religion unique to Japan. Respect for land and nature is its basic premise. Usually there is a mirror in the case inside each Shrine. This is the symbol of Shrine’s deity. Shinto customs are common in Japanese life. Some people household altars and pray for good health, success and happiness every day.

Shinto shrine…の続きを読む