Hirado city [平戸]
Hirado-Ohashi
Western church & Buddhist temple in Hirado
Hirado is a city in the northwesten part of Nagasaki Prefecture.
It is located about 35 km northwest of Sasebo city.
The most part of the city is in Hirado Island, and the central area is located at the north part of the island.
Hirado-Ohashi bridge (665 m) connects the island and the mainland.
The central area of Hirado city is located about 3 km northwest of the bridge.
In 1549, Francisco de Xavier (1506-1552) of the Society of Jesus came from Portugal to Kagoshima, and he introduced Christianity first to Japan.
Then he came to Hirado in the following year, and propagated Christianity to the people.
Since that, the trading ships from Spain, Holland, Britain and China came to Hirado often.
And the merchants built their trading offices in the town.
In 1641, the base of trading with foreign countries was moved to Dejima in Nagasaki city.
There had been a castle since the early 17th century.
The foreign offices were left, but new castle was rebuilt and Hirado developed as a small castle town.
In Hirado city, we can enjoy the moods of the former Western taste and Japanese taste.
We can tour around the main area in Hirado on foot.
Hirado Castle
Western church & Buddhist temple in Hirado
The central area of Hirado spreads around Hirado Port.
Hirado Castle (平戸城) is on a hill on the south side of Hirado Port.
The first castle was built in 1599, but it was demolished just before the completion for political reasons in 1613.
After the nation had become stable, the new castle was built in 1707.
After the end of feudal Edo Period (1868), the castle was demolished again.
And some buildings including the castle tower were restored in 1962.
Now the castle tower has a museum and an observatory.
Saiwaibashi (幸橋) is a stone bridge across Kagami River.
It is located at the west foot of the hill of Hirado Castle.
It was built in 1702, and the technology to construct "Dutch Trade House" was used for this bridge.
So the nickname is Oranda-bashi meaning "Dutch Bridge".
It is designated as a national important cultural property.
Street with temples and a church
St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church
On the west side of Hirado Port, there is the Hirado's most popular area.
We can see two Buddhist temple (Kômyôji and Zuiunji) and St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church at one view.
Kômyôji (光明寺) is a Buddhist temple established in 1592.
And Zuiunji (瑞雲寺) is also a Buddhist temple and was founded in the late 13th century.
St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church is a Catholic church built in 1931.
After the government lifted the ban on Christianity in 1873, the hidden Christians appeared around Hirado and many of them came to central Hirado city.
So this church was built for them.
Great Japanese sago palm
Rokkaku-ido
There are a few unique spots on the northwest side of Hirado Port.
Great Japanese sago palm ("Ô-sotetsu" in Japanese) is at the entrance of Tenman Shrine.
The tree is about 400 to 600 years old.
It is said that this tree had been planted in the garden of trading house.
Now, it is too big to stand without support.
Rokkaku-ido (六角井戸, Hexagon Well) is to the east of Great Japanese sago palm.
It is a Chinese-style hexagon well and was built by a Chinese merchant allowed to live in Hirado in the 1540s.
Tea house in Matsuura Historical Museum
Photo: Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization
Hirado Dutch Trading Post
Photo: Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization
Matsuura Historical Museum (松浦史料博物館) is to the north of the town.
Matsuura family had been the lord around Hirado area since ancient times, and the residence is used as the museum.
The museum introduces Matsuura family and the history of Hirado.
There is Hirado Dutch Trading Post (平戸オランダ商館) on the northeast edge of Hirado Port.
It was the ruins of the Dutch trading post of East India Company.
The business started from 1609 using a small house, then the site had been enlarged from 1612 to 1639.
But it was moved to Dejima in Nagasaki city in 1641, and the buildings were demolished.
Since 1987, the remains has been investigated, and the trade house was restored in 2011.
How to get here
From Hakata to Sasebo, by JR limited express, about 2 hours.
From Nagasaki to Sasebo, by rapid train of JR Omura Line, about 1 hour 40 minutes.
By route bus, 1 hour and 32 minutes from Sasebo station to Hirado Pier.
