OVERVIEW

Two hundred and fifty years of persecution could not douse the flames of devotion as shown by the twenty-nine churches that now stand on the islands that comprise Shinkamigoto Town today. In December, the churches light up with colourful illuminations at dusk in celebration of the festive season. Shinkamigoto also plays host to Church Week - a week of evening concert performances hosted at a few selected churches every year before Christmas. Professional performers are invited to the island and grace the audience with Christian classics. No matter your religion, this celebration is bound to move listeners as they bask in the music that fill the halls of these churches that are living testament to the suffering and strength of the Christian faith in Nagasaki. This period is also an opportune time to visit a World Heritage Site contender - Kashiraga Island Church - one of the twenty-nine churches on the island.