The ‘Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region’ was officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list on June 30. The decision was made at the 42nd Session of the World Heritage Committee which was held in Bahrain. This is the 18th location in Japan to feature on the list.
Over 2,000 people attended the public viewing of the announcement. The moment the official registration was declared, the people gathered at the event all cheered.
The Hidden Christian Sites are twelve sites in the Nagasaki and Amakusa regions which serve as evidence of a history of Christianity in Japan during its time of prohibition from the 17th to the 19th century. They tell us about how the hidden Christians existed in society, their connection to relgion and their faith, as well as how their traditional religious beliefs changed once the prohibition was lifted.
Japanese musician Masaharu Fukuyama gave the statement below regarding the decision to add the sites to the list. Fukuyama was appointed as the navigator of the Nagasaki Prefecture Blue Islands Project in February 6 this year. Since then, he has been involved in every project as a creative producer. He stated that he wants to know more about islands and so was invited to Nagasaki at the beginning of May. He also visited the settlements on Hisaka Island, one of the Goto Islands.
Masaharu Fukuyama’s Comments:
“Congratulations on the ‘Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region’ being registered on the World Heritage list. By knowing about Nagasaki’s long history, it will allow peace for humanity in the future. Perhaps that was the reason behind this World Heritage registration.”
Lots of related events and exhibitions are set to be held in Nagasaki Prefecture in connection with the decision.
■Information
Nagasaki Blue Islands Project: http://nagasakiblueislands.jp/
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Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has made waves around the world since performing at Coachella, one of the world’s largest music festivals, in April. Currently embarking on the second half of her 10th anniversary 31-show nationwide tour, the singer is gaining momentum as she aims for her solo concert at Nippon Budokan in October. As part of her tour, the singer has continued to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities with the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project. At each tour location, the artist collaborates with a local company, creating special collaboration logos and products that have become the talk of social media. Details of Kyary’s collab project in Nagasaki have been revealed after the artist performed in the prefecture on July 18. In Nagasaki, the artist will collaborate with Hamburger Shop Hikari, a beloved local restaurant that originally opened in 1951. Sasebo burgers are well known in Japan, and all ingredients are sourced from Sasebo City in Nagasaki. These burgers are much larger than the burgers you may be used to and have become a local delicacy throughout the country. After the war, a U.S. military base was established in Sasebo. The recipe for the Sasebo burger is said to have originated from a recipe found on this base in the 1950s. The collaboration with Hamburger Shop Hikari, known as the origin of these famous burgers, pays tribute to Kyary’s new single Maybe Baby. The adorable visual shows a waitress at the shop delivering tasty burgers in a hurry.
A collaborative T-shirt is also on sale featuring the new logo and the singer’s 10th-anniversary logo. The shirt is available on the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website for two weeks only starting July 17, so grab one while you can. Information
Nagasaki’s Hamburger Shop Hikari x LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project
Collaboration T-shirt
Price: ¥3,300 (Tax Included)
Where to Buy:
LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project Online Shop (https://store-localpowerjapan.com/)
Sales Period: July 17 – July 30, 2022
https://store-localpowerjapan.com/
Official Site: https://localpowerjapan.com -
Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park in Nagasaki, will be screening ‘ENLIGHTENMENT,’ a film series for world peace from April 1 until April 28, 2022.
The event is taking place as a way to show support for the people of Ukraine and to pray for world peace by blending together short videos expressing love and compassion from video creators around the world. These videos are being projected on buildings and signage in countries around the world amidst the concerning current situation in Ukraine. The film has already been shown in more than 16 countries around the world and is now coming to Huis Ten Bosch, which boasts the world's largest illumination event with 13 million light bulbs. Information
ENLIGHTENMENT
Running: April 1 – April 28, 2022
Screening Times: Twice a day at 20:00 and 21:00
Location: Jardim da Arte ‘Waterfall of Light’ -
The Nordisk Village Goto Islands glamping facility has started offering tent saunas to further heighten the guest experience. This is the first time a tent sauna has been offered in a lodging facility in the Goto Islands. The main body of the sauna tent is made by MORZH, and sauna enthusiasts will appreciate the well-researched specifications and execution.
A wood-burning stove is used in the sauna, and guests can adjust the temperature while enjoying the view of the dancing flames. The facility also offers an original aroma oil scented with Camellia and herbs, perfect for relaxation. Zero gravity chairs are also available for outdoor air bathing, and visitors can enjoy lounging under the starry sky and swaying trees. Why not travel to these islands in Nagasaki Prefecture for your next getaway? Information
Nordisk Village Goto Islands
Tent Sauna Available from 15:00-21:00 (Reservation Required)
Official Site: https://www.nordiskvillage.jp/
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Job Live, who run the Unpopulated Island Project, opened bookings for the next location of their Survival Plan last month which places people on Tsumaga Island - an island home to not a single human being. This is the second island to make the project following Jino Island in Wakayama Prefecture.
Tsumaga Island is enveloped by the gorgeous blue ocean
The pier where guests are dropped off at Tsumaga Island
Shota Gima is challenging people to 30 days survival as part of the project
The island is only accessible via charter boat
You'll have to catch and prepare your own food
There are traces of people who used to live here
There's also a private beach available to one group per day
Tsumaga Island is part of the city of Iki in Nagasaki and can be reached in as little as 5-minutes from Indoji Port. It was formerly used for rice cultivation and people lived there peacefully, but in 2002, its final permanent resident left the island. The island is in a region where the Sea of Japan and Tsushima Current meet. The area is rich with sea life, home to many species of fish and abundant with plankton. It has long been known as something of a holy grounds for fishing amongst Japanese fishers. Campers on the island will catch and prepare their very own fresh fish.30 Days Survival on a Deserted Island
The 30-day survival camping plan hopes to revitalise the city of Iki by using its unpopulated island. Shota Gima, a man from Okinawa, desired to be a part of this project and decided to move to Iki Island. He too is currently on a mission to survive on the island for 30 days and has been since May 13. He hopes to make it until June 30, and hopes that his efforts will spark people's interest in getting involved. Campers will arrive on the island and will need to prepare their own food, use bamboo to cook rice, and everything else that goes into surviving on an unmanned island. You can check Shota's progress on the official Tsumaga Island social media pages below. Information
Survival Plan
Capacity: 1 group per area
Where: Tsumaga Island
Tsumaga Island Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/tsumagashima (@tsumagashima)
Tsumaga Island Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsumagashima_iki (@tsumagashima_iki)
Tsumaga Island Official Website: https://tsumagashima.mujinto.jp
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Hirado Castle in Nagasaki comes as the first castle in Japan to open as a permanent accommodation site. The service launched on April 1, 2021, at the ancient castle, which was listed as one of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan by the Japan Castle Foundation in 2006.
The Guest Rooms
A breathtaking art piece by Takahide Komatsu decorates the living and dining room
A jewel-inspired design in the living and dining room
Takahide Komatsu's cherry blossom wall art blooms up the stairs leading to the guest rooms
Hirado Castle was built in 1559 by Matsura Shigenobu, a lord of the Hirado Clan. However, Matsura burned down the castle in 1613 to show his loyalty to the Tokugawa shogunate. The castle was rebuilt in 1718. Its gorgeous decor and incredible surrounding natural environment draw tourists and sightseers every year. Guests at Hirado Castle will stay on the second floor which was rebuilt in 1977 after being formerly used as a storehouse. The decor is a fusion of the traditional and the modern, expressing not only the Japanese aesthetic but embodying Hirado. With this castle stay, guests can enjoy the cuisine of Hirado, get in touch with the local nature with spots like Hirado Bridge and Hirado Island, enjoy traditional music at the tea ceremony, and much more.Information
Hirado Castle – Castle Stay
Rooms: 1
Capacity: One group of up to 5 peopleAddress: 1446 Iwanouecho, Hirado, Nagasaki 859-5121
Official Website: https://www.castlestay.jp/en/
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The 112-year-old Hotel Nampuro in Nagasaki is set to open the new Sky Terrace and Ocean Terrace this month. These vistas offer breathtaking, unbroken views of the sea and sky that make it feel as if you're floating on the ocean with rolling skies ahead that stretch to the horizon.
Observation Terrace (1)
Observation Terrace (2)
Infinity Pool-Style Open-Air Bath
Silky Bath
Beautifying Bubble Baths
Jacuzzi Bath (Male Only)
Children's Bath
Hinoki Sauna & Steam Sauna
Iyashi Onsen Cafe
Rental Open-Air Bath
The observation terrace offers an incredible panoramic view of the great Ariake Sea that offers a picturesque spectacle at all times of the day. Guests can enjoy seeing the morning, noon, and night skies which merge together with the ocean for an unbeatable result. There's also a "no talking" rule on the terrace so guests can fully soak up what's in front of them as they take a luxirous soak in the warm baths. The infinity pool-style open-air bath offers a refreshing view while making it seem as if you are part of the ocean. The silky bath uses delicate micro bubbles which become an air cushion and promote good blood circulation using massage. The jacuzzi bath relaxes the entire body with stimulating bubbles, while the children's bath allows kids to get in on the fun too. Both saunas are a change to unwind fatigue and the tired body. The steam sauna is set at a lower temperature than your usual high-temperature dry sauna which ensures it doesn't have as much strain on the body so guests can sweat it out comfortably. The freshly-brewed coffee available at the hot spring is also exclusive to the hotel's Onsen Cafe.Information
Hotel Nampuro Observation Terraces – Sky Terrace & Ocean Terrace
Address: 2-7331-1 Bentenmachi, Shimabara, Nagasaki
Official Website: https://www.nampuro.com/world/english/