the most popular Catholic pilgrimage sites in Japan
26 Martyrs of Japan - NIshizaka Hill
Location:
Nishizaka Hill, Nagasaki, Japan.
Why It Matters:
This is the site where 26 Japanese and foreign Catholics—including priests, missionaries, and lay believers—were crucified in 1597 for their faith. Their martyrdom marked the beginning of widespread Christian persecution in Japan. Canonized as saints, they are a powerful symbol of courage, faithfulness, and the roots of Japanese Christianity.
Ōura Cathedral (Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs)
Location: Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture (Kyushu)
Why it matters:
Built in 1864, this is Japan’s oldest surviving Christian church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is dedicated to the 26 Martyrs of Japan, crucified in 1597. Ōura Cathedral is also famous for the “discovery of the Hidden Christians”, when local believers revealed their secret faith after centuries of persecution.
Urakami Cathedral, Nagasaki
Location:
Nagasaki, Japan — in the Urakami district, once home to Japan’s largest Catholic community.
Why It Matters:
Urakami Cathedral stands as a powerful symbol of faith, suffering, and forgiveness. The original church was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945, killing many parishioners at prayer. Rebuilt after the war, it represents the endurance of Japanese Christianity and the Church’s call to peace and reconciliation.
Hara Castle Ruins, Nagasaki
Location:
Minamishimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, on the Shimabara Peninsula overlooking the Ariake Sea.
Why It Matters:
Hara Castle Ruins mark the site of the Shimabara Rebellion (1637–1638), where thousands of Japanese Christians and peasants made their final stand against religious persecution. Its fall led to the near-eradication of Christianity in Japan for over two centuries, making it one of the most significant and solemn Christian historical sites in the country.
Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region
Location: Nagasaki Prefecture (including Shitsu Church, Goto Islands, Ikitsuki Island, Sotome)
Why it matters:
These villages, churches, and sacred landscapes preserve the legacy of the Kakure Kirishitan (Hidden Christians) who secretly practiced Catholicism for over 250 years. Many sites such as Shitsu Church, are part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing and are central to any serious Japan Catholic pilgrimage.
Our Lady of Akita
Location: Akita City, Akita Prefecture (northern Honshu)
Why it matters:
The site of a Church-approved Marian apparition (1973–1981). Pilgrims come to venerate the wooden statue of Mary, known for its messages calling for prayer, penance, and peace. Akita is one of the most spiritually significant Marian sites in Asia.
Hiroshima – Catholic Sites & Peace Memorial
Location: Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Why it matters:
Hiroshima invites pilgrims to pray for peace and reconciliation. Catholic churches and memorials near the Peace Park commemorate victims of the atomic bombing, including local Catholics. Many pilgrimages include Mass intentions for peace here.
St. Francis Xavier Memorial
Location: Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture (Kyushu)
Why it matters:
This area marks the arrival of St. Francis Xavier in 1549, the beginning of Christianity in Japan. Memorials and churches here honor the missionary roots of Japanese Catholicism.
Tsuwano Catholic Church
Location: Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture
Why it matters:
Known as the “Little Kyoto of San’in,” Tsuwano is associated with Christian exiles and martyrs. The church features beautiful stained glass and houses relics linked to Jesuit missionaries, making it a peaceful and reflective pilgrimage stop.
Yamaguchi Lourdes Grotto
Location: Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Why it matters:
A serene Marian grotto inspired by Lourdes, France. Yamaguchi also played a key role in early missionary activity and offers pilgrims a quiet place for prayer amid nature.
52 Martyrs of Kyoto
Kyoto, Japan — commemorated at the Kyoto Martyrs Monument (associated with Nishizaka Hill, the site of execution)
Why It Matters:
The 52 Martyrs of Kyoto were early Japanese Christians who suffered persecution for their faith during the late 16th century. Their martyrdom stands as a powerful witness to the rapid spread of Christianity in Japan and the severe suppression that followed. Remembered for their courage and steadfast belief, they represent the spiritual roots of Japanese Catholicism and the sacrifices made by believers who chose faith over life itself. Today, the site serves as a place of prayer, remembrance, and reflection for pilgrims tracing the footsteps of Japan’s Christian martyrs.
Tokyo & Mt. Fuji – Major Catholic Churches
Location: Tokyo Metropolitan Area
Why it matters:
Tokyo is home to active Catholic communities and historic churches such as St. Mary’s Cathedral. Pilgrims often begin or conclude their journey here, combining modern Catholic life with reflection on faith in contemporary Japan.
Sakitsu VillagE
Location:
Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan — a small coastal fishing village facing the East China Sea.
Why It Matters:
Sakitsu Village is one of Japan’s most important Hidden Christian (Kakure Kirishitan) sites. For centuries, local Catholics secretly preserved their faith while outwardly living as Buddhists or Shinto followers. The village and its church symbolize quiet endurance, cultural adaptation, and the survival of Christianity under persecution. Today, Sakitsu is recognized as part of Japan’s UNESCO-listed Christian heritage.
Tamatsukuri Cathedral Osaka
Location:
Osaka City, Japan — near Tamatsukuri Station in the Tennoji/Uehommachi area.
Why It Matters:
Tamatsukuri Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Osaka–Takamatsu and one of the most important Catholic centers in western Japan. Dedicated to St. Mary, it represents the revival and growth of Catholic life in modern Japan and serves as a key place for Mass, diocesan celebrations, and pilgrimages in the Kansai region.
Oita Christian Martyrs Memorial Park
Location:
Ōita Prefecture, Japan — in the mountains overlooking the Kunisaki Peninsula area.
Why It Matters:
This memorial marks the site where early Japanese Christians were executed during periods of persecution in the 16th–17th centuries. It honors their faith and sacrifice and serves as a quiet place of prayer and remembrance, reflecting the hidden but enduring history of Christianity in Kyushu.
The Goto Islands (Fukue & Kamigoto)
Location:
Off the western coast of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan — accessible by ferry or flight from Nagasaki.
Why It Matters:
The Gōtō Islands were a refuge for Hidden Christians (Kakure Kirishitan) who fled persecution on the mainland. Isolated villages preserved the Catholic faith in secret for over two centuries. Today, the islands are home to some of Japan’s most moving historic churches and are a central pilgrimage area within Japan’s UNESCO-recognized Christian heritage.
