WHY GO ON A PILGRIMAGE TO NAGASAKI AND AMAKUSA IN KYUSHU?
The island of Kyushu was the stage for entry and propagation of Christianity in Japan. Places such as Hirado City, Nagasaki City, and Shimabara City in Nagasaki Prefecture including Amakusa City in Kumamoto Prefecture were the locations where most of the Catholics hid when powerful shogun (national leader) Hideyoshi Toyotomi declared a ban on Christianity. For over 200 years, Japanese Christians were consequently persecuted, martyred, or forced to give up their faith – yet a large number chose to hide in far-flung mountains and islands or pretended to be Buddhists yet practiced their Catholic faith in secret. Beginning from Hirado to Shimabara and Amakusa, we followed the heart-wrenching yet inspiring tale of the Japanese Christians, who demonstrated their strong faith despite all odds.
Means of transportation
Charter bus
Simplified route
Fukuoka City ⇒ Hirado City ⇒ Nagasaki City ⇒ Minamishimabara City ⇒ Amakusa City ⇒ Fukuoka City
※ The pilgrimage mainly consisted of visiting churches, other Christian-related sites, and regional tourist spots, as well as introducing local gourmet and local products.
Tour Outline
| Day 1: Manila to Fukuoka | |||
| Day 2: Fukuoka to Hirado | |||
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| Day 3: Hirado to Nagasaki | |||
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| Day 4: Nagasaki to Unzen, to Shimabara, to Minamishimabara | |||
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| Day 5: Minamishimabara to Amakusa | |||
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| Day 6: Amakusa to Fukuoka; flight back to Manila | |||
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