Category: Sightseeing

Oura Cathedral is Japan’s oldest standing church and a UNESCO World Heritage site, marking the historic 1865 "Discovery of the Hidden Christians."   Oura Cathedral stands as a definitive landmark of Japan’s re-entry into the global community during the late Edo period. Completed in 1864, the structure was commissioned by French missionaries Fathers Furet and Petitjean to serve the foreign community in Nagasaki. The architectural execution was led by the master carpenter Hidenoshin Koyama, resulting in a refined Gothic-inspired design that harmoniously blends European ecclesiastical forms with local craftsmanship. Originally constructed with wooden walls, the edifice was later reinforced with brick during late 19th-century renovations, though the interior maintains much of its original mid-century character.The cathedral holds a singular place in global heritage as the site of the 1865 "Discovery…

A small and red-roofed sanctuary perched on a steep mountainside in Shinkamigoto, marking the historic home of influential island missionaries. Akanamie Catholic Church is a modest and beautifully situated house of prayer that clings to a sharp incline overlooking the vast Goto-nada Sea. The church is located in a remote mountain hamlet that has historically been home to only a handful of families. Despite its small size, Akanamie holds immense historical significance as a "missionary cradle". In the 1870s, it was the residence of three pivotal local figures who worked tirelessly to spread and revitalize the Catholic faith throughout the surrounding northern settlements. The first chapel was established here in 1884, serving as a vital center for the community’s spiritual life. The current building, which features a distinctive vivid red…

Osera Church is a unique mid-century chapel in Shinkamigoto, built upon fortress-like stone walls and offering a simple, elevated sanctuary with views of the surrounding hills and sea. Osera Catholic Church is a small, striking church located in the Osera settlement of Shinkamigoto. It is perched atop a massive stone wall that strongly resembles a mountain castle or fortress, a design choice that gives this modest building a grand and dignified presence. The church was established in 1950, serving a community of descendants of Hidden Christians who were late to formally rejoin the Catholic Church. Before this permanent structure was built, the local believers used a repurposed private house for their services. The interior is noted for its "coved" (folded) ceiling, which creates an airy sense of space despite the…

Yakizaki Church is a tranquil sanctuary nestled along the winding Wakamatsu Strait, representing the tight-knit spiritual community of the island’s western outskirts. Yakizaki Catholic Church is a quiet, modest church situated in a secluded village on the western edge of the island. Its location is particularly scenic, facing Yakizakiura, a serpentine and sheltered stretch of the Wakamatsu Strait. This placement offers a sense of profound stillness, as the church sits tucked away from the more traveled routes, mirroring the historical desire of local communities for peace and privacy. The parish was formally founded in 1950, originally as a mission of the Kiri Parish. As the administrative landscape of the local church evolved, Yakizaki was integrated into the Matenoura Parish upon its establishment in 1975. The current building was completed in…

A scenic hillside sanctuary on the slopes of Mt. Bangake, overlooking the East China Sea and honoring a community that quietly preserved its faith for generations. Omizu Catholic Church is dramatically situated on the steep northern slopes of Mt. Bangake, tucked away from the main island roads. This elevated position provides a spectacular, unobstructed view of the East China Sea, but its isolation served a more serious purpose in the past. During the Meiji-era persecutions, Omizu was a small, unorganized settlement without formal missionaries or leadership. Paradoxically, this lack of visibility acted as a shield. Because the community was so low-profile, it largely escaped the brutal "Goto Kuzure" disasters that devastated other island parishes. However, this same isolation meant that the village's formal "reunion" with the Catholic Church was delayed…

Ohira Church is a dignified white sanctuary on northeastern Wakamatsu Island, featuring a soaring cross-shaped bell tower and a hidden statue of the Virgin Mary watching over the Seto Inland Sea. Catholic Obira Church is a modern spiritual sentinel located in the remote northeastern reaches of Wakamatsu Island. Reached by a scenic 7km drive from Wakamatsu Port, the church is situated in a dramatic landscape where the cobalt blue of the sea meets the deep green of the mountains. Its architecture is defined by a chalk-white exterior and a striking, cross-shaped bell tower that reaches toward the sky, lending the site a profound sense of dignity and historical weight. While the church building itself is a prominent landmark, it holds a hidden secret known to those who explore the nearby…

A rare mountain sanctuary in Shinkamigoto, nestled in a lush inland valley far from the coast, serving as a peaceful retreat for its hillside community. Sanohara Catholic Church is a unique outlier in the religious landscape of the Goto Islands. While the vast majority of churches in the archipelago are perched on coastal cliffs or tucked into hidden inlets, Sanohara is located in a mountain village that does not face the sea. This inland setting provides a different atmosphere. The church's origins are deeply personal. For years, the head of a local family opened their private residence to serve as a "family hall" (Iemido) where the community could gather for prayer. As the congregation grew following World War II, this domestic space became insufficient. A temporary chapel was erected in…

A humble yet resilient sanctuary tucked away in a quiet inlet, standing as a monument to a community that overcame repeated natural disasters to build their home of faith. Funakakushi Catholic Church is situated at the innermost point of a deep inlet facing the Goto-nada Sea. The village name, which translates to "hidden boat", perfectly describes the sheltered geography that once protected the vessels of its inhabitants. The parish's formal journey began in 1927, when the community purchased a private residence to serve as their first chapel. However, as the building aged and the congregation grew following the return of soldiers and families after World War II, the need for a dedicated sanctuary became urgent. Construction on the current church began in 1952, but the project became a test of…

Arifuku Church is a modest yet distinctive wooden sanctuary on the western edge of Shinkamigoto, standing as a historical testament to the resilience of four Hidden Christian settlements. Arifuku Catholic Church is situated on Arifukushima, the westernmost island of the Shinkamigoto archipelago. Its history is tied to the movement of families from Kaminoura in the Omura domain between 1817 and 1829. These migrants sought the rugged isolation of Arifukushima to maintain their faith in secrecy, eventually establishing four distinct settlements of Hidden Christians across the island. Following the end of the religious ban in the Meiji era, the community returned to the Catholic Church under the guidance of traveling missionaries. The current structure, completed in 1927, is a small but architecturally unique wooden building. It is best known for its…

A serene hillside sanctuary in Shinkamigoto, known for its striking white architecture and its unique vantage point overlooking the world’s first offshore oil storage base. Atotsugi Catholic Church is a beautifully positioned house of worship that blends the region's spiritual history with its industrial milestones. The congregation’s roots in this mountain village date back over a century, with the first church established in 1914 using materials repurposed from a local elementary school. After a second iteration in 1932, which utilized high-quality timber from the original building, the current church was completed in 1984. Its brilliant white exterior creates a vivid contrast against the lush green mountainside just off the national highway. The church is particularly famous for its commanding views. From its elevated position, visitors can look out over Aokata…