Hidden Christian site, Kasuga Village

 

Kasuga Village and Mount Yasugatake is a Christian Pilgrimage site and is registered on

the World Heritage as Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region.

 

This idyllic, remote village was refuge to a small community of Hidden Christians who

practiced here for centuries, far from the prying eyes of the government. After the ban on

Christianity was lifted, the local villagers decided to continue practicing their own unique

brand of the religion rather than rejoin the Catholic Church. As a result, churches were not

erected in the village, and the religion remains outwardly invisible.

Hidden Christians

 

Oppression against Christians began with the Tokugawa shogunate’s ban

on Christianity. The missionaries were expelled to oversea countries, and

those who remained secretly in Japan were also captured and martyred.

Konishi Mansho who was the last Priest during the ban on Christianity,

was also martyred in 1644.

In the absence of priests, believers pretended to be Shinto or Buddhist

ostensibly in order to protect their faith.

The Christian organizations were created in each village to continue the

Christian faith and the faith was passed down from parents to children and

from children to grandchildren.

 

Hidden Christian

Even after lifted ban on Christianity, people who continue to practice their

faith in the same way as before are called “Hidden Christians”.

Hidden Christians in Nagasaki have been passed down since the ban on

Christianity in Hirado, Ikitsuki, the Goto Islands, Sotome, and around Nagasaki.

 

Kurose no Tsuji, martyrdom site of Gaspar Nishi Genka

 

The site where Christian Gaspar Nishi Genka was martyred in 1609, located on

Kurose Hill overlooking Nakae no shima between Hirado and Ikitsuki.

The tomb facing the sea is called Gaspar-sama and is a revered place for Ikitsuki’s

Hidden Christians.

The cross-shaped “Kurose no Tsuji Martyrdom Monument” was erected by Catholics

in 1991, and Mass is held every year around November 14th.

 

Gaspar Nishi Genka was the first martyr of Ikitsuki and the father of Thomas Rokuzaemon

Nishi who was one of the 16 Saint of Nagasaki, dedicated in Nakamachi Church in Nagasaki.

 

Oyster Barbecue Hut in Itoshima

 

Itoshima oyster growing up in the rich nature of mountain and sea Itoshima oyster features

mellow and sweet taste.  There are many Oyster Barbecue Huts at five fishing harbours.

The huts only open during the season, from end of October to March or April.

 

The huts are simple in construction; just big vinyl tents filled with a few dozen tables, each with

their own grill. You can get oysters, sazae (sea snails), prawns, fish and other seafood, fresh as

fresh can be, by the crate. The hut provides the grill, tongs, cotton gloves, and other tools for you

try your hand at grilling your own seafood.

Cooking them right can be tricky, but learning is part of the fun. For oysters, try putting the flat side

down first, flip after awhile, and wait for them to open from the heat.  Take them off the grill—gloves

on of course—and open them the rest of the way with the provided knife. Add a touch of shoyu

(soy sauce), ponzu (a tangy citrus-based sauce), lemon juice, or mayonnaise if you like and they’re

ready to eat. If you’re unsure how to cook things, just look around at what the other tables are doing

or wave over the helpful kakigoya staff.

Yoshii, Shirakabe-dori Avenue

 

Shirakabe-dori Avenue is located in Yoshii, Ukiha-city

Time-honored scenery, back to 100 years ago. The Avenue is located in Yoshii-machi, 

Ukiha-city.  Shirakabe, literary meaning is white wall. The avenue of houses with white

wall were constructed about 100 years ago.  About 250 houses in the area has been

designated as National important traditional buildings preservation district.

 

Featured Restaurant, Shirakabe

The restaurant Shirakabe is in the former merchant’s building constructed in 1928. Japanese

cuisines using best local ingredients that vary by season can be enjoyed. The chef who makes

that cuisines also experienced the imperial family’s cook.

Yakiniku, 焼肉

 

Yakiniku is grilled meat and a popular cuisine in Japan.

 

Grill beef, pork, seafood, and vegetables over an open flame in front of

you and eat them with sauce.

 

Cherry blossom in Japan

 

Japanese people have loved cherry blossoms since ancient times.

The blooming of cherry blossoms signals the arrival of beautiful spring.

 

In 2024, cherry blossoms in Kyushu will bloom from the end of March to the

beginning of April.

During that period, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in most places where

you will visit in Kyushu.

Shimabara Rebellion

 

 

It was founded by Arima Takazumi in 1496 and was a flat castle with a fortress naturally created

both by the cliff facing Ariake Sea and the tide coming in. This Castle was abandoned since

Matsudaira Shigemasa, the load of Shimabara, built Shimabara Castle after the rupture of Arima

family ties. 

26 Saints Pilgrimage route from Tokitsu to Nishizaka

 

26 Christians arrive at Tokitsu Port by the boat on the cold night of February 4, in 1597

and stayed one night on the boat. At dawn on February 5, they got off the ship with a cold b

ody and landed at Togitsu Port. Then they began walking the 12km path to Nishizaka,

the place of martyrdom. Passed through the mountain pass, and through Michinoo, Akasako,

and Urakami, and arrived at Nishizaka at 10 o’clock.

And as soon they arrived, they were all crucified on the cross.

 

Then, Paul Miki said from the Cross

All of you who are here, please listen to me.

I did not com from the Philippines, I am a Japanese by birth, and a brother of the Society of Jesus.

I have committed no crime, and the only reason why I am put to death is that I have been

teaching the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am very happy to die for such cause, and see my death as great blessing from the Lord.

At this critical time, when you can rest assured that I will not try to deceive you, I want to stress

and make it unmistakably clear that man can find no way to salvation other than the Christian

way. The Christian law commands that we forgive our enemies and who have wronged us.

I must therefore say here that I forgive Taikosama (Hideyoshi).

 

Then they all ascended to heaven with the happy of giving the life to Christ.

 

In 1862, 26 Martyrs at Nishizaka were canonized by Pope Pius IX.

In 1950, Pope Pius XII designated the Nishizaka of Martyrdom of 26 Japanese

Saints as an official Pilgrimage site for Catholics

Mt. Sarakura, the most dynamic night view in the World, in Kitakyushu-city

 

Mount Sarakura is the best scenic spot in Kitakyushu-city.

The height of the mountain is 622 meters from sea level. At the top you are presented with a

magnificent and spectacular view of Kitakyushu. ​In 10 minutes, you can reach the summit 

from the Cable Car Station using the Cable car and the Slope car. 

 

We offer the most dynamic night view in the World.

The dynamic city where one million people are living and working, is creating the beautiful Night view

which you have never seen before. The night view from the mount Sarakura is chosen the three major

Night View in Japan along with Nagasaki from Mount Inasa.

The area of Night view is the largest in the World ; about 40km east to west and 10km south to north 

And also the number of lighting to create the night view is the largest in the World.