Kyushu Nagasaki-Hirado Churches
Saint Francis Xavier Memorial Church
Japanese Name: 平戸ザビエル記念教会
Saint Francis Memorial Church stands in Hirado, commemorating the first introduction of Christianity to the Nagasaki Region by Saint Francis Xavier in 1550. The memorial church is surrounded by bamboo groves and temples and has become a popular vantage spot for snapshots as a place that offers a “view of a Christian church and a Japanese temple,” representing a mixture of Japanese and Western influence in the culture of Nagasaki. On the other side stands the Monument to the Martyrdom of Fr. Camillus Costanzo, an Italian missionary.
Operating Hours
6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The church is closed to visitors on Sundays during mass until around 10:00 a.m.
Fees
Free, but there is a box inside the church for voluntary donations.
Mass Application
For inquiries regarding the use of Imochiura Church, please contact Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region Information Centre: ch-info@kyoukaigun.jp
Special Notices
■ As places of worship, many of Nagasaki’s churches are, under normal circumstances, open. However, for management reasons, some churches may be locked.
■ The main door at the front of the church is principally used when a Mass is being held. Before entering the church, please remove your shoes and place them in the shoe rack provided. Hats should also not be worn inside. Once inside, visitors are politely requested to observe silence and respect the church’s spiritual atmosphere at all times.
■ Photography inside the church is normally forbidden.
■ There are no visitor toilets at the church. Please use restrooms elsewhere prior to arriving at the church.
■ At times when a mass or other religious ceremony is being held, you may not be able to walk around the church freely.
■ Please note that there may be times when the church is closed. When you are inside the church, please observe silence and respect those who are worshipping inside.
Access
Address: 269 Kagamigawa Town, Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Website
http://www.visit-nagasaki.com/spots/detail/532/
>
Yamada Church
Japanese Name: カトリック山田教会
Yamada Church contains monuments of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Saint Thomas Nishi, two within a group of canonized martyrs known as St. Thomas Nishi and his 15 Companions.
As the second son of Gaspar Nishi, the governor of Ikitsuki, Fr. Thomas Nishi traveled to Manila around 1620 to become a friar and entered the Monastery of the Rosary (Santo Domingo Monastery) of the Dominican Order. He took his vows in 1625, and his religious name became Thomas of Saint Hyacinth. He studied theology at Saint Thomas University in 1621 and became ordained as the first Dominican priest from Japan in 1626.
Operating Hours
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fees
Free, but there is an offertory box inside the church for voluntary donations.
Mass Application
Not accepting mass at the moment.
For inquiries regarding the visit of Yamada Church for a group of pilgrimage, please contact Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region Information Centre: ch-info@kyoukaigun.jp
Special Notices
■ As places of prayer, many of Nagasaki’s churches are, under normal circumstances, open. However, for management reasons, some churches may be locked.
■ The main door at the front of the church is principally used when a Mass is being held. Before entering the church, please remove your shoes and place them in the shoe rack provided. Hats should also not be worn inside. Once inside, visitors are politely requested to remain quiet and respect the church’s spiritual atmosphere at all times.
■ Photography inside the church is normally forbidden.
■ There are no visitor toilets at the church. Please use restrooms elsewhere prior to arriving at the church.
■ At times when a Mass or other religious ceremonies are being held, you may not be able to walk around the church freely.
■ Please note that there may be occasions when the church is closed. When inside the church, please observe silence and respect those who are worshipping inside.
Access
Address: 440-2 Yamadamen, Ikitsuki Town, Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Website
http://visit-nagasaki.com/spots/detail/553
Tabira Church
Japanese Name: カトリック田平教会
Tabira Church was built by local Christians under the guidance of Italian and French priests, and by a leading church architect in Japan at that time – master builder Yosuke Tetsukawa.
Operating Hours
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fees
Free, but there is an offertory box inside the church for voluntary donations.
Mass Application
For inquiries regarding the use of Tabira Church, please contact Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region Information Centre: ch-info@kyoukaigun.jp
Special Notices
■ It is necessary to apply for visits to Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region Information Centre beforehand.
■ As places of prayer, many of Nagasaki’s churches are, under normal circumstances, open. However, for management reasons, some churches may be locked.
■ The main door at the front of the church is principally used when a Mass is being held. Before entering the church, please remove your shoes and place them in the shoe rack provided. Hats should also not be worn inside. Once inside, visitors are politely requested to remain quiet and respect the church’s spiritual atmosphere at all times.
■ Photography inside the church is normally forbidden.
■ There are no visitor toilets at the church. Please use restrooms elsewhere prior to arriving at the church.
Access
Address: 19 Kotedamen, Tabira Town, Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Contact Details
It is necessary to apply for visits to Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region Information Centre beforehand.
Please submit your application from the website.
Contact: Click Here
Please refrain from directly contacting or sending inquiries to the church.
Website
http://www.visit-nagasaki.com/spots/detail/534/
