Hirado Sacred Sites and Villages (Kasuga Village and Mount Yasuman)
| A village where hidden Christians once practiced their faith in secret, venerating the surrounding mountains and islands as sacred places. |
| Kasuga Town is a region deeply rooted in the heritage of hidden Christian culture. In February 2010, its historically rich landscape was honored with designation as a National Important Cultural Landscape, recognizing the exceptional value of its traditions and scenery. The area is also a component of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region.” Among Kasuga most striking features are its magnificent rice terraces, unfolding from the shoreline to the mountains in a sweeping tapestry of stone and earth. Built on steep slopes, the terraces are supported by impressive high stone walls that extend endlessly across the landscape, creating scenes of breathtaking beauty. Fed by the pure waters descending from Mount Yasuman, the vivid green paddies evoke the daily lives and quiet resilience of the hidden Christians who once lived here. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
