Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region
Twelve sites preserving the revival of Christianity after suppression.
The Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region (Japanese: 長崎と天草地方の潜伏キリシタン関連遺産) comprises twelve locations spread across Nagasaki and Kumamoto Prefectures. These sites trace the arc of Christianity in Japan, with the Nagasaki churches standing out because each one recounts how the faith was revived after a long period of official suppression.
Japan first encountered Christianity in 1549 through the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier. From Nagasaki, the religion spread and gained many converts, including several daimyōs. However, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and later Tokugawa Ieyasu persecuted Christians. Following the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637–1638, the government combined the suppression of Christian practices with a policy of national seclusion that lasted more than two centuries.
In the 1850s, the arrival of Western powers, the reopening of Japan, and the reforms of the Meiji Restoration allowed missionary work to resume. Many Hidden Christians then came into the open. Ōura Cathedral, built in 1864, was the first of the churches constructed in the years that followed.
The sites were first proposed jointly for UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2007 under criteria ii, iii, iv, v, and vi. At that time, the submission—called Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki—was placed on the Tentative List. It was officially recognized as a World Heritage Site on January 30, 2018. The initial nomination included 26 sites, but after reconsideration, Nagasaki Prefecture reduced the number to 13. Ultimately, twelve sites were inscribed. Concerns about these Hidden Christian Sites have been widely discussed in academic literature.
On June 30, 2018, then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe thanked UNESCO for the listing, stating that the Hidden Christian Sites “convey the ‘shape’ of a faith that is unique to Japan and they are truly unparalleled worldwide as heritage of humankind.”
- field
- Cultural heritage / Religious history
- location
- Nagasaki Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
- number_of_sites
- 12
- year_inscribed
- 2018
- unesco_criteria
- ii, iii, iv, v, vi
Lore & Background
Christianity arrived in Japan in 1549 with the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier. Fanning out from Nagasaki, the new faith won many converts, including a number of daimyōs. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, then Tokugawa Ieyasu persecuted those professing to be Christian. After the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637–1638, the official suppression of Christian practices was combined with a policy of national seclusion that lasted over two centuries.
In the 1850s, the arrival of Western powers and reopening of Japan and the reforms of the Meiji Restoration, missionary activity was renewed and a number of Hidden Christians resurfaced. Ōura Cathedral of 1864 was the first of the churches built in subsequent years.
Proposed jointly in 2007 for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List under criteria ii, iii, iv, v, and vi, the submission named at the time Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki on the Tentative List, was recognized on January 30, 2018, as a World Heritage Site. The initial nomination included 26 sites; however, after reconsideration the Nagasaki Prefecture reduced the monuments to 13 sites. Twelve sites were recognized.
Reader's Guide
The Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region represent a unique chapter in the history of Christianity in Japan. They document the revival of Christian practice after more than two centuries of official suppression and national seclusion. The twelve sites, located in Nagasaki and Kumamoto prefectures, were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on January 30, 2018, following a nomination process that began in 2007. The initial list of 26 proposed sites was reduced to 13, and finally 12 were recognized. Concerns over these sites have been widely discussed in academic literature. On June 30, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe publicly stated that the sites 'convey the shape of a faith that is unique to Japan and they are truly unparalleled worldwide as heritage of humankind.' The sites include Ōura Cathedral, built in 1864, which was the first of the churches constructed after the reopening of Japan. Their significance lies in illustrating the resilience and adaptation of Christian faith under persecution and its eventual re-emergence.
Did You Know?
- The Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region consist of twelve sites in Nagasaki Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture.
- The initial nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status included 26 sites, later reduced to 13, and finally 12 were recognized.
- The sites were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on January 30, 2018.
- Ōura Cathedral, built in 1864, was the first of the churches constructed after the reopening of Japan.
More in World Heritage Sites in Japan 1-24
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