Explore Nagasaki’s Hidden Christian sites, where faith endured centuries of persecution. Discover sacred landmarks, blending Christian and local traditions, and uncover stories of resilience and devotion.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Somewhere in the city center
- If it is in the city center, I will come to pick you up (e.g., your hotel, JR Nagasaki Station, or the Nagasaki International Cruise Ship Terminal).
Nishizaka Hill / Museum of 26 Martyrs of Japan
Nishizaka Hill is the site where Christians were first executed by the ruling authorities in Japan, marking the beginning of Christian persecution in the country. It is home to a monument honoring their faith and the Museum of the 26 Martyrs of Japan, which displays relics, historical artifacts, and the history of Christianity in Japan.
The museum provides a clear and engaging explanation of Christianity and Hidden Christians in Nagasaki, making it an ideal starting point for your journey.
Admission Fees:
- Adults: ¥500
- High School and Junior High School Students: ¥300
- Elementary School Students: ¥150
*As of December 1, 2024. Please refer to the official website for more details.
(Optional) Nakamachi Church
The Catholic Nakamachi Church is a historically significant Catholic church located in Nagasaki City, originally built in 1897. Although it was destroyed by fire in the atomic bombing of 1945, leaving only the outer walls and spire intact, it was rebuilt in 1951 and still retains its beautiful appearance today.
Inside the church, a replica of the "Smiling Cross," associated with St. Francis Xavier, is displayed, leaving a profound impression on visitors. Additionally, the grounds feature a monument dedicated to St. Thomas Nishi and 15 martyrs, offering a glimpse into the history of Christianity in Nagasaki.
Nakamachi Church is close to Nishizaka Hill.
Admission: Free (*Donations are appreciated via the offering box.)
*As of December 1, 2024. Please refer to the official website for more details.
St. Kolbe Museum
The St. Kolbe Memorial Museum is located on the grounds of the Immaculate Garden Monastery, established in 1931 in Hongouchi, Nagasaki, by Father Maximilian Maria Kolbe from Poland.
The Museum features exhibits such as the "Room of St. Kolbe," restored to its original condition, the priest's liturgical vestments, his handwritten diaries, and materials related to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Through these displays, visitors can learn about Father Kolbe's life, his activities in Nagasaki, and his profound faith and love.
*From Nakamachi Church to the St. Kolbe Museum, it takes approx. 10 minutes and costs about 1,500 yen per taxi.
Admission: Free (*Donations are appreciated via the offering box.)
*As of December 1, 2024. Please refer to the official website for more details.
Lunch at Local restaurant
Let's enjoy lunch at a local restaurant!
*From St. Kolbe Museum to a restaurant, it takes approx. 5 minutes and costs about 1,000 yen per taxi.
* Lunch is approximately ¥1,000 to ¥1,500.
Ōura Cathedral
Ōura Cathedral, built in 1864 by French missionaries, is the oldest surviving wooden church in Japan and has been designated as a National Treasure and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Known for its stunning Gothic architecture, it gained global recognition as the site of the "Discovery of Hidden Christians," where believers revealed their faith during the era of Christian persecution. It is a symbolic landmark of Nagasaki's Christian history and attracts numerous visitors from around the world.
*To reach Ōura Cathedral, you can take a tram and then walk.
The tram fare is 140 yen per person.
Admission Fees:
- Adults: ¥1,000
- Junior High and High School Students: ¥400
- Elementary School Students: ¥300
*As of December 1, 2024. Please refer to the official website for more details.
Urakami Cathedral
Urakami Cathedral was built by the people of Urakami, who inherited the faith of Hidden Christians. Completed in 1914, it was said to have been the largest church in East Asia at the time, but it suffered catastrophic damage from the atomic bombing in 1945. The cathedral was rebuilt in 1959 and stands in its present form today. On its grounds, remnants of the bombing and restored stained glass windows can be found, serving as a symbol of peace and faith that attracts many visitors.
To reach Urakami cathedral, you can take a tram and then walk.
The tram fare is 140 yen per person.
Admission: Free (*Donations are appreciated via the offering box.)
*As of December 1, 2024. Please refer to the official website for more details.
Ending Point
Somewhere in the city center (I will take you to your desired destination.)
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
- Guide Fee
- Pick up Fee
- Taxi fare (Guide & Customers)
- Public transportation fees (Guide & Customers)
- Admission fees to facilities (Guide & Customers)
- Lunch (Guide & Customers)
*In Japan, taxis typically accommodate a maximum of four passengers. Therefore, for tours with four guests, the group size becomes five including the guide, requiring the use of two taxis.
* This tour involves some walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* Please let me know in advance if you have difficulty walking, use a wheelchair, or have similar needs.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Hi! I'm Sho! I live in the center of Nagasaki city and work as a YouTuber, podcaster, and tour guide specializing in sharing the charms of Nagasaki.
Actually, I was born and raised in Yokohama, near Tokyo, and worked for about 5 years in Tokyo. However, I fell in love with the culture and history of Nagasaki and moved here in 2020.
Nagasaki has a rich history of international exchange and friendship, established about 450 years ago as an international trading port in Japan. Since then, many people from all over the world with diverse cultures and values have visited this city. I love these stories and histories of Nagasaki.
Nagasaki is often associated with the sad history of the atomic bomb, which is, of course, an important part of this city's history, but Nagasaki has much more than that. I'm looking forward to introducing you to the many charms of Nagasaki!
Charmayne H.
“Loved our day in Nagasaki with Sho! ”
We did a cruise around Japan and preferred to find local guides for each port instead of big group tours. I'm so happy we found Sho and booked his tour in Nagasaki. He was such an excellent host and ambassador for the city. We saw a great mix of important historical sites and also a glimpse into everyday life in the city. Sho even took us around his own neighbourhood and a favourite place for lunch. It was honestly like meeting up with a good friend for the day! Sho, if you ever visit Canada, send us an email - we'd love to be your "guides" and I promise there will be a big meal of fresh lobster from our area!
Shonosuke S.
Hi Charmayne! Thank you so much for your wonderful review—and for visiting Nagasaki, a city I truly love! I'm really happy to hear you enjoyed the tour (and a glimpse into my daily life!), and I hope it became one of the special memories from your time in Japan. Someday, I’d love to visit Canada and eat lobster until I’m full… :D See you again!!
Mack M.
“A Truly Excellent Nagasaki City Tour Guide”
What a wonderful full-day tour of Nagasaki! Shonosuke created a custom tour for us that highlighted Nagasaki's historic role as Japan's chief entrepot with the rest of the world. During our tours of Dejima and the other early foreign trading settlements of Nagasaki, Shonosuke explained how Nagasaki made early contact with Western and Chinese traders in the 16th century who introduced Western products and ideas into Japan and Japanese products and ideas to the rest of the world thus creating a uniquely Japanese cosmopolitan society. We later toured the more modern Western settlements in and around the restored buildings of the Glover Garden estates. There we and learned how in the early 1860s, Western settlers' technology and capital combined with Japanese capital and innovation to spark a political and cultural revolution that restored the Japanese emperor's political power and began Japan's rapid industrial development leading to the modern Japan we know today. Throughout our tour Shonosuke (or "Sho" as we came to know him) displayed an outstanding knowledge of Nagasaki's history as well as its current local city sights and developments. His kindness, courteouness, and flexibility made our time with him truly delightful, and his excitement about the many unique aspects of Nagasaki continually sparked our interest. Shonosuke also has a unique ability of escorting you throughout the city effortlessly and comfortably while always getting you to each sight of interest at exactly the right time. We never felt rushed and always had time to talk with him about all the events related to the sights we viewed. If you want a stimulating, interesting, and comfotable introduction to Nagasaki, Sho is the guide for you!
Shonosuke S.
Hi Mack and Shelley! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a wonderful review—and for visiting Nagasaki, a city I truly love. I couldn’t be more grateful. What I love most about Nagasaki’s history is its legacy of international exchange and multicultural coexistence, so I was really happy that you were interested in—and enjoyed—that part of the story. I had such a great time myself, and I hope it became a special memory from your time in Japan! Also, thank you so much for the lovely gifts from Louisiana! (The postcard is absolutely adorable!) I really loved them, and now I feel a special connection to Louisiana :) I imagine you might be somewhere around Kagoshima now—wishing you a continued amazing journey around Japan! See you again!
Sue F.
“Great comprehensive tour of Nagasaki with Sho ”
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Sho. He was very organized and knowledgeable about Nagasaki. We covered a lot of territory seeing many of the important sights. We saw some “hidden gems “ that were amazing! I can’t say what they were, you need to go on this tour to experience them ! Sho picked the perfect lunch spot for us. If you are visiting Nagasaki, I would highly recommend Sho.
Shonosuke S.
Hi Sue and Lee! Thank you so much for your lovely review! I'm so glad you enjoyed the tour—especially the hidden gems of Nagasaki! I also had such a great time spending the day with you both. Next time, let’s try "the best burger" and "the best ice cream" in Nagasaki! XD. Have an amazing trip!
$373/ per group