Francis Xavier Monument

The Francis Xavier Memorial Square is a site of immense historical importance located within Sakigata Park. It was established to honor the 400th anniversary of St. Francis Xavier’s arrival in Hirado in 1550. Xavier, a co-founder of the Jesuit Order, was the first to bring Christianity to Japan, and Hirado served as one of his most significant mission bases.

The square is more than just a statue. It is a gateway to the early “Christian Century” of Japan. Near the monument lies the site where the very first church in Hirado once stood. These landmarks collectively represent the “First Period” of Japanese Christianity, long before the era of prohibition and “Hidden Christians” began.