N-94 Goto Islands, World Heritage
The Goto Islands are a long archipelago that stretches vertically to the west of Nagasaki Prefecture.
Although it is only about 70 to 100 km west of Nagasaki Port, it is a relaxing paradise with white sand beaches said “the most beautiful in Japan” and crystal clear waters.
Although Goto Islands means by the kanji (Chinese characters) for “five islands”, butactually thereare seven representative islands – Fukue, Hisaka, Naru, Wakamatsu, Nakadori, Ojika, and Uku – the archipelago includes over 140 surrounding islands of various sizes.
Its history dates back to ancient times.
Between the 7th and 9th centuries, it was used as an anchorage for envoys sent from Japan to Tang (China) to learn about advanced culture.
Later, after being defeated in the “Battle of Dannoura” at the end of the 12th century, the Heike clan fled to Uku Island and took the surname “Uku”, but later changed their surname to “Goto” and moved to Fukue Island, becoming the feudal lord of Fukue Castle.
Also, during the Edo period, Christians who fled from mainland Kyushu continued to practice their faith here.
As such, the Goto Islands are a land of great cultural and historical interest.
The churches, of which there are said to be more than 50 in the region, have been focused as part of the unique landscape of the Goto Islands. And it’s getting much popular since the historic sites of Nagasaki and Amakusa, including churches and settlement sites on the Goto Islands, were registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki and Amakusa Region” on June 30, 2018.
The “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki and Amakusa Region” is a World Heritage Site made up of 12 component assets.
Of these, four are located in the Goto Islands: “Remains of the Settlement on Nozaki Island,” “Settlement on Kashiragashima Island,” “Egami Settlement (Egami Church and its Surroundings) on Naru Island,” and “Settlement on Hisaka Island.”
** The difference between “Sempuku Christians” and “Kakure Christians“
Both terms translated “Hidden Christians”, and these two terms are often confused, but the difference lies in the duration of their faith.
The “Sempuku Christians” were those who continued their faith in secret, disguised as believers so as not to be recognized as believers, during the approximately 250 years of ban on Christianity. They developed their own culture, but many of them returned to Catholicism after the ban was lifted.
On the other hand, those who did not return to Catholicism even after the ban on Christianity was lifted were the “Kakure Christians.”
To make the difference clear, the name of the World Heritage Site uses “Hidden (Sempuku) Christians.”
Yosuke Tetsukawa
as “Father of Church Architecture”
Tetsukawa Yosuke (1879-1976) was an exceptionally talented architect who built around 30 churches, four of which have been designated as Important Cultural Properties by the government. Born into a family of carpenters in the Goto Islands, Yosuke began helping with the construction of a church and went on to design many churches throughout his life. Starting with his first wooden church, which he designed and constructed at the age of 28, he continued to improve his techniques step by step, completing churches one after another throughout Kyushu, mainly in Goto, using brick, stone, and reinforced concrete construction, as well as mastering construction methods such as ribbed vaults and coffered ceilings in order to achieve higher ceilings in the interior spaces.
He built many Catholic churches and is known as the “father of church architecture,” but he himself was a Buddhist all his life.
Goto Kagura
“Goto Kagura” is a form of Kagura passed down primarily by Shinto priests, and is based on the movement of walking around a one-mat square dance platform. In addition to various types of harvesting dances, it has a rich and distinctive content, including lion dances, old-fashioned shrine maiden dances, and other unique programs.
It also suggests connections with the various Kagura dances of western Japan, and conveys programs that show the unique development of Goto Kagura, illustrating regional characteristics and the process of change in performing arts.
Goto Kagura was designated a National Selected Intangible Cultural Property in 2002, and a National Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2016.
Baramon Kite – Auspicious talisman kite
The Baramon kites of the Goto Islands are named after the Goto word “Baramon,” which means “wild and reckless,” “ruffian,” or “energetic.” The kites are painted with images of brave warriors facing an oni (demons) head-on, continuing to move forward even after being bitten on the head, refusing to show their backs to their enemies.
The designs on these Baramon kites include the shape of a cross, an interesting feature given where are islands of hidden Christians.
Parents and grandfathers who care for their children make these kites on a boy’s first festival (March 3rd in the lunar calendar), and as they fly the kite high into the sky, they make a unique roaring sound with the “grunting” horn attached to the top, praying for the child’s safe growth, success in life, and safety in the home.
Goto Udon
Goto udon is a specialty of the islands that is originated in the era when Japanese envoys to the Tang Dynasty called at the Goto Islands. It is the island’s soul food that has long been enjoyed not only as a home-cooked dish but also as a ceremonial dish.
Udon noodles are hand-stretched by artisans using camellia oil that wildly grows on the island, and boast a firm, smooth, and silky texture. The way to eat is also unique. The Goto style is to eat udon noodles boiled in a simmering pot, then mixed with broth made from flying fish caught off the coast of Goto and raw egg, in “Jigoku-taki” style. Be sure to try the authentic taste!
Seafood from bountiful fishing grounds
Surrounded by the Goto Nada Sea and the East China Sea, the Goto Islands are a treasure trove of seafood blessed with rich fishing grounds. You can enjoy seafood unique to Goto, such as ago (flying fish), bonito, silver-stripe round herring, boxfish, and fan shrimp.
Many people also come to fish for the luxury fish, special kind of yellowtail “Hiramasa” or “Hirasu“. It’s so delicious that once you’ve tried this type of yellowtail, you’ll never be able to eat ordinary yellowtail again. These fresh and delicious seafood are served at local guesthouses and izakayas (diners) in the Goto Islands.
– Fukue Island
Fukue Island is the largest island in the Goto Islands, located about 100 km west of Nagasaki Port, and is the political, economic, cultural and tourist center of Goto Islands. It is the starting point for many people on their trips to the Goto Islands. The island also boasts beautiful natural scenery, such as sea cliffs visible from the sea and views from Onidake mountain. There are also many churches on the island, including Dozaki Church, which was the first church established in Goto Islands after the lifting of the ban on Christianity.
Access
- Airplane from Fukuoka Airport or Nagasaki Airport
- Ferry from Hakata Port
- Ferry / Jetfoil from Nagasaki Port
- Ferry / High-speed boat from Wakamatsu Island, Nakadori Island, and Naru Island
– Hisaka Island
Hisakajima is an island located 11.3km northeast of Fukuejima. The Former Gorin Church is a component part of the World Heritage Site “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki and Amakusa Region.” In 2011, the entire island was designated as an Important Cultural Landscape by the nation, and you can see beautiful scenery.
Access
- Ferry from Fukue Island
- Marine taxi (charter)
– Naru Island
Naru Island is located about 90 km west of Nagasaki Port, almost in the center of the Goto Islands. It is surrounded by beautiful capes and coastlines, and there is Egami Cathedral, which is a component part of the World Heritage Site “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki and Amakusa Region.”
Access
- Ferry from Hakata Port and Nagasaki Port
- Ferry / High-speed boat from Fukue Island
- Ferry / High-speed boat from Wakamatsu Island
- Marine taxi (charter)
– Wakamatsu Island
Wakamatsu Island is an island located almost in the center of the Goto Islands. The “Christian Cave,” where Christians fleeing persecution hid, can only be seen from the sea and is located on the south side of the island. To the east, “Wakamatsu Seto,” which consists of 30 islands stretching about 15 km between Wakamatsu Island and Nakadori Island, is one of the most scenic spots in the Goto Islands. The Wakamatsu Bridge was opened between Wakamatsu Island and Nakadori Island in 1991, and it has become a new tourist spot.
Access
- Ferry / High-speed boat from Fukue Island
- Ferry / High-speed boat from Naru Island
– Nakadori Island
Nakadori Island, shaped like a cross, is the second largest island in the Goto Islands, located about 55km west of Sasebo City. It has a beautiful ria coastline, and the inland bay is a thriving aquaculture industry for yellowtail and other fish. It also has a long history of Christianity, with many churches still standing today.
On the neighboring island of Kashiragashima, there is Kashiragashima Church, which is a component of the World Heritage Site. This stone church, rare in Japan, was built by believers who returned to the island after persecution ended, piling up sandstone quarried from nearby areas.
Access
- Ferry from Hakata Port
- Ferry / High-speed boat from Nagasaki Port
- Ferry / High-speed boat from Sasebo Port
- Ferry / Jetfoil / High-speed boat from Fukue Island
- High-speed boat from Ojika Island
– Ojika Island
Ojika Island is the central island of the Ojika Islands, which consists of 17 islands of various sizes, located about 60km west of Sasebo City. The island was formed by the eruption of an undersea volcano, and is known as the “Museum of Volcanoes” due to the many volcanic bombs and crater remains. It is a great place for camping, playing on the beach, swimming in the sea, and fishing, and you can also enjoy staying in old houses and hiking in the mountains. You can enjoy a peaceful time on this island blessed with nature and designated as Saikai National Park.
Access
- Ferry from Hakata Port
- High-speed boat from Sasebo Port
- Ferry from Fukue Island
- High-speed boat from Nakadori Island
- Ferry / High-speed boat / Sasebo Municipal Boat from Uku Island
– Nozaki Island
Nozaki Island is located east of Ojika Island. The entire island is covered in natural forests, with many virgin forests remaining, and a wide variety of birds, insects, and plants, making it an adventure-filled destination. In particular, there are about 400 wild deer living on the island, and you can encounter them all over the island. In addition, the “Former Nokubi Church” in the center of the island is registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the “Hidden Christian Heritage Sites of the Nagasaki and Amakusa Regions.”
Access
- Municipal boat from Ojika Island
– Uku Iskand
Uku Island is the northernmost island of the Goto Islands, located about 60km west of Sasebo City. It is said that the Heike clan fled to this island after losing the “Battle of Dannoura” and took the name Goto, so it has a long history as the birthplace of Goto culture. There are also many tourist attractions, such as the giant Ako tree, which is over 100 years old, and Uku beef. The main attraction of the Goto Islands is the Catholic church, but one of the characteristics of Uku Island is that there is no Catholic church.
Access
- Ferry from Hakata Port
- Ferry / High-speed boat from Sasebo Port
- Ferry / High-speed boat / Sasebo Municipal Boat from Ojika Island
Arrangements we can make
- Creating an overall itinerary
- Transportation between mainland and remote islands
- Accommodation
- Transportation within the islands
- Transportation between islands
- Interpreter guide (mainly from Fukuoka or Nagasaki
** In addition to these actual expenses, each arrangement fee is required.
See “Commission for Arrangements“
Since the capacity of accommodation and vehicles for transportation within the island is limited, it is ideal to travel by small group up to 8 people.
In addition, since transportation on remote islands is easily affected by the weather, we recommend you traveling with plenty of time.
There are few luxury hotels in the island like in the mainland, and there are many guesthouses (with shared baths and toilets) where only Japanese language is spoken. However, this is the style of travel that is typical of remote islands, and the food served is all fresh local gourmet.
It’s inconvenient, but simple and kind.
Be sure to experience such the remote islands!
/// Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy for above course;
| Days to Departure | Cancellation Charge |
| More than 31 days | 5% of trip price |
| 30-15 days | 50% of trip price |
| 14-8 days | 80% of trip price |
| 7 days or Less, No Show | 100% of trip price |
Please refer to “Price, Terms and Conditions” for other detailed regulations.
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