Historical Hirado
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Port
Sasebo, Japan
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$159
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Hirado Island, in the northwestern Nagasaki Prefecture, lies slightly off the beaten track.
A 50-minute panoramic drive by coach brings you to Hirado Park to see the truss-suspension Hirado Bridge, spanning the channel about 100 feet above the sea.
Tabira Church was designed and constructed by Tetsukawa Yosuke with help from the local Catholics. It is made of brick and has a multi-layered roof and a bell tower at the front. Note the interior's three aisles, the arcade, the triforium, and clerestory nave. Such churches bear witness to the speed and strength with which Christianity was revived throughout the Nagasaki region after the ban was lifted.
You will also visit the Dutch Trading Post, established in 1609. This was the base of operations of the Dutch East India Company in Japan. The building you see today is a warehouse, originally constructed in 1639 and reconstructed in 2011 as closely to the original design as possible. It perfectly exhibits the facility's original Dutch architecture of interlocking stone blocks supported by large, exposed wooden beams. The structure is capped by a Japanese-style tile roof, just like the original. It is quite fascinating.
The Matsura Historical Museum is the oldest museum in Nagasaki prefecture. It stores and displays the historical collection of the Matsura family, who ruled over northern Nagasaki Prefecture from the 13th century. The museum is housed in their former private residence -- the grand Tsurugamine Mansion, built in 1893. Precious artifacts and historical documents relate to foreign trade and the early spread of Christianity in Japan -- a treasure trove for historical scholars.
Notes:
Tour requires a moderate amount of walking for approximately one mile (1.6 km), with a few steps to climb to access sites in Hirado. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Shade is limited; please dress accordingly. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water. You must remove your shoes at the Matsura Museum. Bring local currency, as many vendors do not accept credit cards or US dollars.