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Hidden Christians of Nagasaki: A Journey Through Faith and Endurance
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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). On the day of your visit, I will be waiting at the meeting point holding a sign with your name on it. Two days before the tour, our phone numbers will be shared via GoWithGuide, and I hope we can also communicate on the day using apps like WhatsApp. * It costs approximately 1,000 to 1,500 yen per taxi to get to Nishizaka Hill from the 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.
***
Nakamachi Church is nearby and within walking distance.
(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.
Admission: Free (*Donations are appreciated via the offering box.)
*As of December 1, 2024. Please refer to the official website for more details.
***
From Nakamachi Church to the St. Kolbe Museum, it takes approx. 10 minutes and costs about 1,500 yen per taxi.
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.
Admission: Free (*Donations are appreciated via the offering box.)
*As of December 1, 2024. Please refer to the official website for more details.
***
From St. Kolbe Museum to a restaurant, it takes approx. 5 minutes and costs about 1,000 yen per taxi.
Lunch at Local restaurant
Let's enjoy lunch at a local restaurant!
* Lunch is approximately ¥1,000 to ¥1,500.
***
From the restaurant to Ōura Cathedral:
-> On foot and by tram: 150 yen per ride, about 45 minutes
-> By taxi: around 2,000 yen per vehicle, about 15 minutes
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.
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.
***
From the restaurant to Ōura Cathedral to Urakami Cathedral
-> On foot and by tram: 150 yen per ride, about 45 minutes
-> By taxi: around 2,500 yen per vehicle, about 20 minutes
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
* This tour involves some walking, so please wear comfortable shoes. If you have any difficulty with walking or stairs, please let me know—I’ll be happy to adjust the route and transportation accordingly!
*Approximate public transportation costs:
- Tram: 150 yen per ride
- Bus: 150–200 yen per ride
- Taxi:
-> Short distances: around 1,000–1,500 yen per vehicle (e.g., getting around central Nagasaki)
-> Long distances: around 2,000–2,500 yen per vehicle (e.g., from the cruise ship terminal to the Atomic Bomb Museum)
*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.
* 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
Staci T.
“Greater than I can even put in words”
I will start by saying that I am a travel agent and have very high standards as I work for luxury clients. This trip was for my own family of 19 people. 5 kids were under 4 years old. We arrived on a 13 hour time difference. You could imagine we were not an easy group for him, nor are we easy to please. Sho was a shining star both before and during our tour. In all the other cities we visited communication with guides was very difficult. He communicated regularly with me prior to the trip and answered all my questions quickly. Sho was quick, efficient, had good ideas, executed the day flawlessly, flipped between the sensitive subject of Nagasaki and the vibrant, fun part easily, and just simply made this our best day on an 18-day trip. He worked well with the pressure of young kids crying, had the foresight to figure out quickly who was interested in what and made sure that all 19 got what they wanted. I know this is not easy, yet he made it seem like it was second nature to him. I cannot find words to give him a high enough referral. Just know that when you can take 19 people with varying interests, lugging along 5 kids under 4 years old who are jet lagged, all while in extreme heat, you are doing everything right. And that was exactly what Sho did! Thank you Sho, we will remember our day with you with fondness forever. Sincerely, Staci Thomas and Family
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Shonosuke S.
Hi Staci, thank you so much for your kind review and for visiting Nagasaki, the city I truly love! It was such a hot day, and with all the stairs and hills in Nagasaki I know it must have been tough for everyone. But the reason we were able to enjoy the tour was thanks to your family’s warmth and kindness. I honestly feel that I should be the one thanking you—for the gracious and joyful way your whole family welcomed me and made me feel like part of your trip. I truly hope you’ll come back to Nagasaki again someday—there are still so many beautiful spots and hidden corners I’d love to share with you. Until then, please give my warmest regards to your entire family!
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Michael S.
“Seeing the real Nagasaki”
We had the privilege of touring Nagasaki with our guide, Sho, and it was an unforgettable experience. Unlike the usual tourist routes, Sho introduced us to the real culture of Nagasaki, sharing hidden gems and authentic local spots that we would never have found on our own. What stood out most was Sho’s genuine personality and thoughtful approach. He took the time to understand what we were interested in and tailored the experience perfectly, weaving in insightful stories and historical context that brought the city to life. Sho gave us a deeper appreciation of Nagasaki’s culture and community, far beyond what a typical tour could offer. His warmth, knowledge, and sincerity made the day truly special. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience Nagasaki in an authentic and meaningful way.
Shonosuke S.
Hi Michael! Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for visiting Nagasaki, a city I truly love! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour and felt honored to introduce you to real and authentic Nagasaki life. It was such a pleasure to be part of your lovely family trip, and I had a truly fun day as well! I couldn’t help but think how wonderful it would be to have a family like yours—so lovely! And I have to admit, I’m also a bit jealous of that amazing party room in your house!! Please do come back to Japan—and to Nagasaki—again sometime!
Carmen F.
“Half Day Nagasaki Walking Tour ”
My daughter and I had a wonderful experience with Sho! His itinerary was excellent and he was so engaging and passionate about Nagasaki. His personality, knowledge and English were really great. We enjoyed the tour he gave us and having lunch with him as well. We would recommend him without any reservations. Thanks Sho!
Shonosuke S.
Hi Carmen! Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for visiting Nagasaki, a city I truly love! I was so happy to show you around, especially the more local spots. I had such a fun and memorable time with you! I hope you’ll come back to Japan—and to Nagasaki—again soon! And I hope she gets the chance to work in Korea someday! :D
$375/ per group
More tours by Shonosuke S.
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One-Day Nagasaki Tour: Peace Memorials and Hidden Gems
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One-Day Nagasaki Tour: Peace Memorials and Hidden Gems
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One-Day Nagasaki Tour: Historic City Center and Hidden Local Gems
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Dive into Local! / Half-Day Nagasaki Walking Tour
Let's explore Nagasaki's local and hidden areas that are unreachable without a local guide! In 3~4 hours, we'll mainly walk around the following 3 areas: 1) Tateyama District: Walking down the slopes of the hillside residential areas in Nagasaki. 2) Suwa Shrine: Discovering the most famous shrine in Nagasaki. 3) Nakadori Shopping Street: Exploring the oldest shopping street in Nagasaki with a 400-year history. *The tour can be flexibly adjusted according to the customer's requests.
Dive into Local! / Half-Day Nagasaki Walking Tour
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Nagasaki
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Full Day Tour Exploring Nagasaki
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Full Day Tour Exploring Nagasaki
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Half a Day Tour Exploring Nagasaki
A highly personalized tour in which you get to explore the many intriguing ins and outs of Nagasaki's rich culture and history. Visit several of the unique city highlights and beautiful hidden gems at your own pace. I'll make sure you get to experience the things you like most and the best that Nagasaki has to offer you.
Half a Day Tour Exploring Nagasaki
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Hidden Christian Pilgrimage ⑨: GOTO (3rd／4 days)
This tour is the 3rd day of 4days GOTO pilgrimage tour. The itinerary is not for one day tour. It covers only 1/4 of GOTO pilgrimage tour. GOTO islands are composed of many islands. A few numbers of shuttle ships and special charter ships are the only transportations connecting each island. At least 3days or more need to visit the whole main islands of GOTO.
Hidden Christian Pilgrimage ⑨: GOTO (3rd／4 days)
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Eine sehr personalisierte Tagestour (6-8 Stunden), bei der Sie die vielen faszinierenden Seiten der reichen Kultur und Geschichte Nagasaki entdecken können. Besuchen Sie einige der einzigartigen Highlights der Stadt und viele schöne versteckte Perlen in Ihrem eigenen Tempo. Ich sorge dafür, dass Sie die Dinge erleben, die Ihnen am besten gefallen und das Beste, was Nagasaki zu bieten hat.
Ganztägige Entdeckungstour durch Nagasaki