Travel Guide of Scenic Byway Kyushu Q-❸ Sunset Highway Matsuura, Hirado, , Saikai, Nagasaki City, and SasaTown (Nagasaki Pref.)

－Hidden Christian, Sunset Road, and World Culture Heritage－ From the 17th to the 19th century (Edo period), the Edo Shogunate Scenic areas of "Nagasaki Sunset Highway" have been proposed, issued the Edict of National Isolation and banned overseas travel and utilizing these local resources. As shown in the map, this scenic route trade. Under these circumstances, trade with the Netherlands and extends from Matsuura and Hirado in the northern part of Nagasaki China was officially approved only at Nagasaki Port. As a result, the Prefecture to the southern part of Nagasaki City via the Nishisonogi Nagasaki region has developed an exotic regional civilization. Peninsula, and the entire region consists of remote islands and peninsulas. The main route consists of National Roads 204, 202 and 499, and is the longest tourist route in Kyushu with a total length of about 280 km. [Access] The main access points are Nagasaki Airport, on the , and Sasebo Station on the . Highway Bus on Nagasaki Expressway and Nishikyushu Express-way are also available. [Scenic Resources] The areas of “Nagasaki Sunset Highway” extend north and south of Saikai National Park. Although the region has abundant (2) St. Francisco de Xavier landscape resources, three main items Memorial Church. (Hirado City) can be listed up as follows: (A) Sunset over the East China Sea, (B) History of Hidden Christians, and (C) World Industry Heritages. They are interesting and important for all of visitors. A. The first scenic resource is the sunset over the sea on the west coast. In the evening, you can see the beautiful sunset over the westernmost horizon of the Japanese archipelago while (7) Sunset of West Sea in burning bright red. Sotome District, Nagasaki. B. Christianity was introduced to Hirado Island in the 16th century and spread throughout the region. However,

(8) Peace Statue of Nagasaki Peace Park in Ground Zero. (Nagasaki City).

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(1) Samurai Navy of Matsuura (2) Hirado Castle for Matsuura Clan. (2) Hirado Harbor which flourished in Foreign Trade in 16th century, and CBD. Party in 15 C.

(3) Rock Columns in Ikitsuki Isle. (Hirado City). (3) Houki Kyokai Church. (Hirado City). (2) Tabira Tenshudo Church. (Hirado City).

(4) Kujyuku Shima which gather more than 200. (Sasebo City). (5) Theme Park “”. (Sasebo City) the Edo Shogunate promulgated a ban on Christianity, stepped on the Saikai, and Nagasaki. Based on them, you can go around the painting of Christ, and tortured them to abandon Christianity in some landscape spots as follows (see the map). cases. Therefore, their religion continued in hiding, for about 300 years (1) Matsuura Area facing with Genkai Nada Sea during the Edo period, and we call them "hidden Christians". In the The Matsuura area consists of a peninsula facing Imari Bay and Meiji era (1873), the Christian ban was officially lifted, Christianity many islands. Therefor, there are many regional resources related to was revived, and many churches were built. The assets related to the the sea, but here we will introduce the following two islands that can history and resurrection of Hidden Chischan are important heritage be crossed by a bridge from National Road 204. of this route, and many places and archaeological sites related to it In Takashima Island, there was a tragic battle in the 13th century were registered as World Cultural Heritage in 2018. due to the invasion of Mongorian army. In other words, the Samurai C. The third is "'s Meiji Industrial Navy (Matsuura Party) fought Revolution Heritage" of coal mines, desperately with the Mongolian army shipbuilding, and steelmaking, which in this area (See Photo (1)). Moreover, were actively carried out from the 1850s the typhoon sank many Mongolian to the 1910s. Eight assets registered as warships in Imari Bay. The island was world heritage sites are in the Nagasaki not occupied due to these events. As area, accounting for more than one- evidence of this, remnants and relics of third of 23 sites in Japan. the ships at that time were found and Due to the distribution of these local salvaged from the seabed. They are resources, the scenic spots of Nagasaki exhibited at the Takashima History Sunset Highway can be divided into and Folklore Museum and you can five blocks: Matsuura, Hirado, Sasebo, (2) Reconstruction Building of Hirado-Netherlands Trading Post. see them.

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(8) Nagasaki Harbor which is surrounded by many Sites of (8) Lanthanum Festival in the Chinatown (8) Jya -Odori (Snake-Dance) in Nagasaki-Kunchi World Industrial Heritage. (February, Nagasaki City). Festival, (October, Nagasaki City).

Another interesting island is Fukushima. The island has terraced On the other hand, about 200 small islands floating in Goto Nada paddy fields (Tanada) and wild camelia trees. On the coast, magma Sea are collectively called “Kujuku Islands”. You can see these (black basalt), which has solidified through the sandstone layer, can be magnificent views from the hills. seen in the form of funnel or wall. Going south from the Kujuku Islands, the popular theme park with (2) & (3) Area of Hirado Islands. the image of a Dutch town, "Huis Ten Bosch", can be found. Please kThe Hirado district was ruled by the Matsuura clan during the Edo period, and Hirado Castle was the base for it. In addition, Christianity was introduced to the Hirado region by Francisco de Xavier in 1594, and many people became Christians. However, in the Edo period, they suffered from a ban on Christianity by the Shogunate. As mentioned earlier, Christianity was (7) Shitsu Kyoukai Church. (Nagasaki City). (7) Oono Kyoukaido Church. (Nagasaki City) resurrected at the end of the 19th century, most of Christians get back to Catholicism and built churches, but some believers did not. That is, there were Christians who worshiped nature without getting a leader under the ban of Christian, but they did not return to their original Christianity. Christians who lived in Ikitsuki Island and in the Kasuga village of Hirado-Shima Island still venerate Nakanoshima, Anman- dake Mountain, and the tombs of (9) World Heritage of Hashima Coal Mine (Hashima Isle). (8) Glover House (World Heritage) martyrs, while retaining in the 16th century form of Christianity. They are forms of nature worship. Besides, there are many interesting sceneries such as the Shiotawara basalt cliff, Kawauchi Toge (pass) in the grasslands, Hirado Castle and Matsuura Historical Museum, and the site where the Dutch trading house was restored, in the Hirado block. (4) Sasebo City, and (5) Theme Park of (8) Nagasaki City just after Atomic Bombing. (8) Night View of current Nagasaki City which has revived. “Huis Ten Bosch”. Sasebo City is a navy town. Warships of Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and US Navy enter and leave the port of Sasebo. The Sasebo Heavy Industries Group, which is attached to the harbor, is promoting technological innovation of vessels while preserving the industrial heritage. Please enjoy sightseeing in Sasebo Port based on (8) “Meganebashi” (Stone Bridge with two Arches (8) Monument for 26 Saints on the Hill of these scenic resources. in Nagasaki City) Nishizaka (Nagasaki City)

3 note that due to the size and number of Peace Park (Ground Zero Park, shows, a tour for the theme park may Peace Memorial Statue, and take a day or more. Atomic Bomb Museum), and (6) Saikai City in Nishi Sonogi Nishizaka Hill for 26 saints are Peninsula. worth a visit. In addition, Nagasaki Saikai City is a small city sandwiched has a "World Industrial Heritage between Sasebo City and Nagasaki City, Site of the Meiji Era" and has many consisting of the northern part of the historical heritage sites.. Nishi-Sonogi Peninsula and the , an artificial island built surrounding islands. In the past, coal for trade in the Edo period, has been mines were operated on the seabed, but rebuilt as a theme park, and old (5) Saikai Bridges (1955, 2006. Sasebo and Saikai Cities) were abolished in the 1970s. In this arched stone bridges are preserved difficult situation, the Oshima Island in in the city center. In addition, as Saikai City was reborn as a island of shown in the photo, the colorful shipbuilding. As a result, the fishing and lantern festival is held in shipbuilding industries have flourished, Chinatown every February, and and once you cross the Oshima bridge, the harvest festival "Kunchi" is held you can see the liveliness of the island. at Suwa Shrine in every October. In the peninsula, the Nakaura Julien These spots are located along the Memorial Park in Saikai City is another (2) Hirado Bridge (1977, Hirado City) tram, so you can come and go many highlight. In the 16th century, Nakaura times with a one-day pass, which is Julian (1568 around ~1633) joined the convenient. boys’ envoy and visited Rome. After (9) Southern Area of Nagasaki returning home, he became a priest and Peninsula helped the hidden Christians, but was Takashima and Hashima Islands executed in 1633 at Nishizaka Hill, for subsea coal mines, which are Nagasaki City. located off the Nagasaki Peninsula, (7) Sotome Area in Nishi-Sonogi are designated as World Industrial Peninsula. Heritage Sites. Hashima, in The Sotome district of Nagasaki on the (3) Ikitsuki Bridge (1991, Hirado City) particular, is also called Nishi-Sonogi Peninsula was a poor “Gunkanjima (warship island)” Christian village with seaside hills and because of its appearance (see sunsets. In other words, it is a stage of photo). Many of the facilities of the Christian historical novel "Silence" mining remain after the closure, written by Shusaku Endo. Hidden and the process of disappearance Christians have experienced many can be observed, and many people difficulties because of their faith, in can understand the transition and addition to the poor land. Jesus Christ importance of modern industry. In spoke to the suffering Christians. "I that sense, these heritage sites are wasn't silent. I was suffering together unique scenic spots not found on with you. " any other route and are worth Indeed, the French missionary, Marc- (1) Hizen-Takashima Bridge (2009, Matsuura City) visiting. Marie de Rotz (Father De Lo, 1840~1914), made great deal efforts to (Notes) Long-span Bridges in help them in the late Edo period. Nagasaki Sunset Highway. Churches and rescue facility were built The route of "Nagasaki Sunset in Shitsu and Oono districts in the Road" consists of remote islands Sotome area. People gratefully thanked and peninsulas. For this reason, in him for his dedication and built his , many bridges statue. It can be seen on the hillside. were built to facilitate (8) Exotic Nagasaki City transportation during the post-war Since the Edo period, the Nagasaki (8) Iojima Bridge (2011, Nagasaki City) period of economic growth. They region has developed a unique culture that fuses Japanese, Chinese, and Dutch civilizations. However, in are bridges across the straits, not World War II, Nagasaki was destroyed by the atomic bomb and lost river bridges. While gaining technology from around the world, everything. After the war, Nagasaki City overcame this disaster and various types of bridges were built, resulting in eight bridges over 500 revived as a city full of exoticism. For these reasons, it is necessary to meters in length. There is an observatory at the base of each bridge, so see the town of Nagasaki while superimposing the damage caused by it's a good idea to stop by. Publishing and Copyright: Promotion Council of Scenic Byway Kyushu C○ the atomic bomb and the revived town on the nature and history of the (Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved). area, and the main spots are as follows.

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