Hidden Christians of Nagasaki: A Journey Through Faith and Endurance
Joined 2024
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.
Itinerary
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.)
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Guide Fee
- Pick up Fee
- Taxi fare (Guide & Customers)
- Public transportation fees (Guide & Customers)
- Admission fees to facilities (Guide & Customers)
- Lunch (Guide & Customers)
Tour Important Information
*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.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Shonosuke S.
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!
Reviews
Mark O.
“In Depth Day Tour of Nagasaki!”
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Sho! He was more than willing to adapt the tour to sites that we were interested in and provided a lot of insight at each of the sites. His historical knowledge of Nagasaki was very helpful in allowing us to get a better understanding of the city and its people. He introduced us to Champon at a local restaurant and gave us a taste of local pork bun. Yum! We also got a taste of a local cafe and some much needed time to rest and rejuvenate. As far as logistics, Sho was very responsive in working out the details of the tour with us and to ensure that we were all on the same page. We all had a great experience! Thanks Sho.
Shonosuke S.
Hi Mark! Thank you so much for your amazing review. I truly appreciate you taking the time to visit so many important Christian-related historical sites, which are a meaningful part of Nagasaki’s history. And thank you as well for enjoying the local cuisine with me! (Also, thanks again for the ramen at the end of the tour! :D ) I hope this tour became a special memory for you all during your time in Nagasaki and in Japan. See you again!
Darryl S.
“An excellent tour of Nagasaki with a personal touch”
Our group of seven wanted an interesting tour of Nagasaki, including history and culture. Sho was organized, informative, prompt, articulate, and passionate about his city. We started our day with a visit to the Nagasaki peace memorial. Following a walk-through a beautiful peace park nearby , Sho took us to the neighbourhood where he lives so that we could explore the local market, foods, shopping, etc. We really enjoyed this aspect of the tour as we were not going to the standard tourist spots. We stopped for lunch at a local café that he died at regularly and enjoyed some authentic Japanese food. We visited some other areas of the city , travelled by tram , stopped for some interesting photo ops at Bridges and rivers that ran through the city. Overall, this was a delightful day. We highly recommend. sho as a guide if you’re looking for a taste of life in Nagasaki.
Shonosuke S.
Hi Darryl! Thank you for your amazing review! I was so happy to show you around different parts of Nagasaki—from the Atomic Bomb Museum to the local shopping street I often visit, and the downtown shopping center. I'm also really glad it seemed like you enjoyed lunch at one of my favorite restaurants! I truly hope you all made many wonderful memories in Nagasaki and across Japan. P.S. I haven’t forgotten about the photos of Nagasaki’s cherry blossoms in full bloom. I’ll be sending them your way soon, so please look forward to them! :D
Mike W.
“Great Custom One-Day Nagasaki Tour with Sho!”
We spent a great day touring Nagasaki with Sho! We appreciated his willingness to make some changes to his normal one-day tour that better fit our interests that we discussed in advance. Besides the historic sites, we got to see where the local folks shop and were able to have some terrific foods. Sho took us to some of his favorite food places and we were able to sample some foods we would have never considered trying on our own. We had a wonderful delicious lunch at a restaurant that was not your usual tourist place and was very reasonably priced. We learned a lot about the culture and history of Nagasaki while we walked and transited all around. Sho had asked us in advance if we were up for a fair amount of walking and boy he wasn't kidding (no wonder why he is in good shape). One of our special highlights was to be able to see the beginning of the Sakura (Cherry) Blossoms since we happened to be there at the right time. We were very fortunate to have Sho as our Guide around Nagasaki. It's clear that he is proud of his city and his enthusiasm and friendliness is exactly what we encountered during our stay in Nagasaki. We hope to be back soon and take another tour with Sho! Highly Recommended!
Shonosuke S.
Hi Mike & Terry! Thank you so much for your kind review and for visiting Nagasaki City — and not just for one day, but over several days! I’m really glad I got to share some local life with you — the kinds of places I go in my daily life and the foods I usually eat — and even happier that you enjoyed it! Wishing you lots of wonderful memories for the rest of your trip, and I hope you’ll get to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom! Let’s meet again someday!!
$367/ per group
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