SEARCH RESULTS Spring Summer Autumn Winter Goto Islands Search Criteria: 28 Hits 13 - 24
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13Memorial Church and Monument to Martyrdom at the Site of Royanosako Jail
In 1868, more than 200 Christians were imprisoned here in a space of less than 20m2. Crammed into this space, they were ordered to recant their beliefs. 39 prisoners including women and children lost their lives during the eight months of imprisonment. The jail was called Royanosako (the jail pit). On the site, there is a monument engraved with the names of the martyrs. -
14
Former Gorin Church
The Former Gorin Church building has an interesting history. Hamawaki Church, built in 1881, was the second oldest wooden church in Nagasaki Prefecture, after Oura Cathedral. In 1931, a new, larger church was to be built at Hamawaki, and the old church was dismantled and then reconstructed as a church for the Gorin district. The church, which has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, is a rare combination of Japanese- and Western-style construction, with the outer appearance of a traditional Japanese house. -
15
Kusuhara Church
Kusuhara was one of the remote areas settled by Sotome Christians around thelate-18th and early-19th centuries. Their descendants underwent ordeals even after the rediscovery of the Christians in Nagasaki. A roundup at Mizunohara expanded into the mountains. The hidden Christians were imprisoned and tortured and their settlements plundered. The site where they were jailed, near to the church, is open to the public. Around 1910, the present church was designed and constructed under the direction of Tetsukawa Yosuke. The building was repaired and improved in 1968. -
16
Akahama Red Beach
Mysterious red sand covers the Akahama coastline, a secluded stretch of coastline on southeast Ojika Island. A once highly-active volcanic island, lapilli and lava periodically spewed into the Sea of Japan, resulting in some of the most fertile soil in the area. Lava containing high levels of iron combined with salt from the sea caused oxidation and thus discoloration. The red sand is caused by hundreds of years of this oxidization process, along with prolonged weathering from the elements. Today, calm waves lap the shore, creating a surreal Mars-like beach landscape. Come see the sight for yourself. Bicycle hire is available at nearby Ojika Port Terminal. -
17
Takahama Swimming Beach - Goto
Takahama beach boasts some of the whitest sand and clearest water in all of Japan. It is one of the best known beaches of the Goto Islands, attracting holidaymakers from all over the country. The west-facing beach overlooks the Sagano Islands and has a wide sandbar that provides a calm shallow swimming area. Silver sand sparkles through clear water, the surrounding greenery completing the perfect coastal escape. Named among Japan’s top 100 new tourist attractions, top 100 natural beaches and top 88 swimming beaches, Takahama beach is popular with locals and tourists alike. For a view of the beach in its entirety, head to Gyoran Kanon lookout where you can catch a glimpse of the brilliant shades of blue as they change and deepen throughout the day. -
18
Goto Camellia Oil Extraction Experience
Known as the beauty secret of youthful Geisha, Camellia or Tsubaki oil is one of the Goto Islands’ most precious exports. The highly valuable oil has long been recognized in East Asia for its highly restorative and rejuvenating effect on skin, hair, and nails. While opportunities to witness the extraction process are rare, the Tsubaki Taiken Workshop in Shin-Kamigoto offers hands-on experiences throughout the year. Workshops last between sixty and ninety minutes, giving visitors a chance to crush and press the Camellia seeds for oil themselves. -
19
Goto Diving Experiences
The stunning white sand and multicoloured coral reefs of the Goto Islands provide the perfect place to explore some of the best marine environments Nagasaki has to offer. The complex makeup of the islets ensures a variety of diving spots, no matter which island you depart from. Thanks to currents that flow toward Tsushima island in the north, an array of sea animals come and go freely. Local diving companies provide diving packages that cater for beginner to intermediate divers, but, if you’re not keen on taking the plunge, snorkelling and fish-feeding activities are also available. Advanced divers can explore the mystic depths of a 100m shipwreck, the most popular dive in Goto. The sea surrounding the Goto Islands is home to octopodes, lionfish, anemone and much more. Goto Diving Lagoon is Fukue Island’s main diving organization, while Nice Buddy operates on Shinkamigoto. Swimmers and divers of all skill levels have an opportunity to experience the underwater world. During the summer season, prior reservations are strongly encouraged, as diving can be very popular. The staff have lived on the islands for many years, and are well attuned to all of its lagoons, coves and other great diving spots. The staff of Goto Diving Lagoon include native English speakers providing hassle-free diving experiences for Japanese and English speakers alike. -
20Firefly Festival in Shinkamigoto
Every year along the quiet stretches of rivers that run through Shinkamigoto town, the skies and forests fill with the blinking lights of a thousand fireflies. Aiko-kawa is probably Shinkamigoto's most popular spot for firefly-viewing and photography. The spot is also known as the hometown of fireflies. Its tranquil atmosphere is the perfect place to appreciate this transient summer phenomenon. After a stroll along the river, you can also enjoy some ice cream and drinks from a vendor at the entrance. Do help keep the peaceful environment friendly for both the fireflies and other visitors! Please refrain from speaking loudly or shining lights on viewing spots. -
21
"Church Week in Kamigoto" Church Concerts
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. -
22
Hamagurihama Summer Beach Festival
Hamagurihama Beach is one of the Goto islands’ most beautiful beaches. It is also one of Japan’s top 100 swimming beaches. Right before Marine Day, this beach throws the Hamagurihama de Asobo Day (Let’s play at Hamagurihama beach day) event. A plethora of activities like banana boat rides, kayaking, beach volleyball, Lumine drinking contests, and various other family-friendly activities keep beach-goers entertained throughout the day. There is also a sandcastle sculpting competition and visitors can watch three teams bring their work to life right before their eyes. While there are activities to enjoy on both Saturday and Sunday, the main events take place on Sunday morning. Grab your beach gear and celebrate the beginning of summer on a beautiful island! *even schedule may change in the event of bad weather conditions -
23
Yagatame Park
Approaching the peaceful town of Nama from Aosagaura, Yagatame Park’s unique rock formation is hard to miss. Dubbed Nagasaki’s Totoro Rock, one can make out Ghibli’s famed character gazing out towards the East China Sea. Come summer, vibrant orange tiger lilies come to bloom, further enhancing the majestic view of the sun setting over the East China Sea. The sunset can be viewed from either the observation grounds of Yagatame Park that brings you closer to the cone-shaped rock, or Shirakusa Park near Goto’s resort hotel, Margherita. Nearby is a souvenir shop selling Goto’s unique products, most notable of which are varied flavours of Yagatame’s sea salt, made in the same area, as well as sea salt ice cream in the summer. -
24
Akou Tree in Narao Shrine
Akou is the sea fig or deciduous fig. Within the compounds of Narao Shrine stand an Akou Tree that is over 650 years old. Its roots parting midway before meeting the ground forms a unique arch that allows people to pass through. It is believed that those who pass under the tree would be blessed with longevity. Reaching 25m in height and 12m in width, this is the largest Akou Tree in Japan, and has been named a Natural Monument since 1961.
