Three thousand hidden Christians moved to the Goto Islands in the late 18th century from Sotome District, Nagasaki City, to seek new ground. Overcoming persecution and days of extreme poverty in a remote, wild land, they dragged their weary bodies to the land and patiently continued to plant the seeds of faith. These efforts came to fruition after their faith was officially approved in 1873, and their seeds blossomed into 50 beautiful churches across the islands. (Includes tentative 2018 World Heritage sites)

Christians' Cave at Wakamatsu Island

When the persectution of Goto-kuzure occured in the early Meiji era, the oppressed Christians of Satonoura, Wakamatsu Island, hid inside a cave in a steep cliff wall, where they could only be reached by boat. However, the smoke from their fire was spotted by a boat, and they were arrested and tortured. This cave was later called "Kirishtianwando" (Christians' Cave), with a crucifix and a 3-meter tall statue of Christ erected at the entrance in 1967.

Kashiragashima Church

All households except one were said to have been Christian in Kashiragashima Island. During the persectution of Goto-kuzure, all followers escaped from the island and returned only after the persecution ended. Kashiragashima Church was built with stones by the followers, who quarried and stacked the stones over the course of nine years. The church is a candidate for a World Heritage site in 2018.

Imochiura Church and Lourdes

Imochiura Church is the oldest Lourdes in Japan. Fr. Peroud, responsible for pastoral care in the Goto Islands, caught word that the French Lourdes had been replicated in the Vatican. He reached out to the parishioners of the Goto Islands in 1891 to gather stones across the land and created the first Lourdes of Japan in 1899.

Memorial Church and Monument to Martyrdom at the Site of Royanosako Jail

While the ban on Christianity was not lifted despite the opening of Japan at the beginning of the Meiji era, the 1865 "Discovery of Christians," among Hidden Christians of Urakami at Oura Cathedral, acted as a catalyst for Christians in the Goto Islands to begin revealing their faith. In order to eradicate the organization, the Meiji government began its persecution. At the Royanosako Jail of Hisakajima Island, around 200 Christians were imprisoned in a jail of only 20 square meters that faced the quiet bay. When this tragedy was reported to Europe by Bishop Petitjean, Japan received criticism from numerous countries, and the Meiji government eventually approved of Christianity.

The names of the 42 who lost their lives under this persecution are engraved in the gravestones at the site. Many of them were young children or elderly people. All followed their teachings steadfastly and accepted death without resistance.

Former Gorin Church

When it was decided that Hamawaki Church, originally built in 1881, would be rebuilt in 1931, the former church building was relocated in the Gorin district. Although dismantlement of the church building was planned, Local Christians (on the island) helped reaffirm its value, and the church became preserved as a cultural property. This district is in an extremely secluded area of Hisakajima Island and still cannot be reached by car. The church is a World Heritage site candidate in 2018.

Egami Church

Designed by Yosuke Tetsukawa, the father of church architecture in Japan, the current structure of the Egami Church was built in 1918, thanks to more than 50 Christian households who cooperated to gather funding by fishing with dragnets.
The efforts of the followers are crystallized in the hand-drawn wooden pillars with hand-drawn grain and flower paintings on the window panes. The church is a World Heritage site candidate in 2018.

Aosagaura Church

The original church was said to have been built by 1878. From 1899, Aosagaura became the central church of Kamigoto. The current church was designed and constructed by Yosuke Tetsukawa in 1910, with parishioners coming together and making great efforts to carry the bricks uphill. Now in its third generation, Aosagaura Church became designated as an important cultural property by the Japanese Government in 2001 and reached the 100th anniversary of its dedication in 2010.

Nokubi and Funamori Settlement Sites on Nozaki Island (Former Nokubi Church)

The parishioners of 17 households saved 300 million yen in today's value through efforts such as fishing, and in 1908, the Nokubi Church was designed and constructed by Yosuke Tetsukawa. However the population gradually declined, and the last parishioner left the island in 1971. Nokubi Church, which stands on an uninhabited island, was subsequently repaired by Ojika Town. The closed Ojika Elementary and Junior High School Nozaki Branch, located nearby, became the "Nozaki Island Nature-learning Village," a simple lodging facility and rest area. It accepts large numbers of tourists, children's camps, and school field trips throughout the year and is used for outdoor and nature education.