Ken 蘇
港口旁邊的小漁村內，了解基督教文化在日本的歷史，鄉下地方交通不是太便利。
Verified [Verified] denotes information that has been published with confirmation of its owing parties.
Sakitsu Church
A church by the sea standing in the faithful fisherman’s village.
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Sakitsu is a peaceful fishing village now, but this “hidden Christians’ village” survived the era of persecutions. Sakitsu Church is at the center of the village with a Gothic-style tower standing tall.
In the Meiji Period, anti Christian law was abolished in 1873, and residents went back to practicing Catholic faith. In 1888, a wooden Sakitsu Church was built. As the building got old, a French missionary, Father Halbout, led the building of a new western-style church which stands today. This is where the former village headman Yoshida’s residence used to stand. The government gave people a test here to step on a Jesus picture to find Christians, and the trial spot is where the altar is built. Nagasaki’s chief carpenter, Yosuke Tetsukawa, constructed it. Due to its coastal location, it is also called the “Cathedral by the Sea.”
The interior is adorned with stained glasses. The floor doesn’t have benches but rare tatami mattresses. Touring inside requires a reservation. When the church has events, a tour is not offered.
Sakitsu Village was registered as a World Heritage in 2018 as a “Latent Christians' heritages in Nagasaki and Amakusa region.”
Highlights
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Sakitsu Village’s symbol, registered as a World Heritage “Latent Christians' heritages in Nagasaki and Amakusa region.”
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The inside has rare tatami mattresses.
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For a tour, make a reservation on the website’s form by 3pm the day before.
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Mother Mary's statue by the church against the sunset is beautiful.
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Remember your manners during a tour. Reference 1, Reference 2
Photos
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![During the anti-Christian era, hiding Christians gathered at Sakitsu Suwa Shrine on a village hill.]()
During the anti-Christian era, hiding Christians gathered at Sakitsu Suwa Shrine on a village hill.
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![The gothic-style church has the floor of tatami mattresses. Photos inside prohibited]()
The gothic-style church has the floor of tatami mattresses. Photos inside prohibited
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![In the peaceful fishing village]()
In the peaceful fishing village
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![The statue of Mary on the cape near the church is the location for one of Amakusa’s eight best sunset views.]()
The statue of Mary on the cape near the church is the location for one of Amakusa’s eight best sunset views.
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![Sakitsu Village is registered as part of World Heritage “Latent Christians' heritages in Nagasaki and Amakusa region.”]()
Sakitsu Village is registered as part of World Heritage “Latent Christians' heritages in Nagasaki and Amakusa region.”
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![Begin your Sakitsu Village tour at Sakitsu Village Guidance Center]()
Begin your Sakitsu Village tour at Sakitsu Village Guidance Center
Reviews
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Details
- Name in Japanese
- 﨑津教会
- Postal Code
- 863-1204
- Address
- 539 Kawauramachisakitsu, Amakusa City, Kumamoto
- Telephone
- 0969-78-6000 (Amatsu City Sakitsu Village Guidance Center)
- Closed
- Open every day (May be closed due to the church’s activities)
- Hours
- 9:00am-5:00pm (For a tour, make a reservation on the website’s form by 3pm the day before)
- Admission
- Free
- Directions
- From JR Kumamoto Station, ride the Express Amakusa Bus and get off at Hondo Bus Center. Switch to Sanko Bus bound for Ushibuka Shimin Byoin and get off at Itchoda Chuo Stop. Switch again to the Sanko Bus bound for Shimoda Onsen, get off at Sakitsu Kyokai Iriguchi Stop, and walk a little.
- Official Website
- Official Website (Japanese)