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The Virgin Mary in the Sunset (Sakitsu settlement)
Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture
The “Virgin Mary in the Sunset” is a statue of Mary standing facing the sea and the setting sun. Located in Sakitsu Village, Amakusa, a component of the World Cultural Heritage–listed Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki and Amakusa Region, it has a majestic atmosphere and is a popular spot.
The approximately 3-meter statue of Mary was erected near Sakizu Fishing Port in 1974 by local believers praying for safe voyages and a bountiful catch. From September to October and February to March, the setting sun overlaps with the statue of Mary. Visitors can witness divine scenes of praying people silhouetted against the orange sun.
The sunset on the west coast of Amakusa is so beautiful that it leaves most visitors at a loss for words. The residents of Amakusa want to share the landscape, a local asset, with as many people as possible. With this in mind, eight particularly beautiful locations have been selected as the “Amakusa Sunset Eight Views.” The route that connects these spots is called the “Amakusa West Coast Sunset Line” and is popular with many tourists.
How to get there
From Kansai International Airport, take a flight to Fukuoka Airport (about 1 hour 15 minutes), then an Amakusa Airlines flight to Amakusa Airport (about 35 minutes). From Amakusa Airport, take the shuttle bus to the Hondo Bus Center (about 15 minutes).
Amakusa-machi, Amakusa-shi
Kawaura-machi, Amakusa-shi
Ushibuka-machi, Amakusa-shi
Oniki-machi, Amakusa-shi
