キリシタン洞窟

Christian Cave - Christians’ Cave - Kirishitan dōkutsu


Useful Information

Location: Wakamatsugo, Shinkamigoto-cho, Minamimatsura-gun, 853-2301 Nagasaki Prefecture.
(32.847120, 129.018970)
Open: no restrictions.
[2022]
Fee: free.
[2022]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst Cave
Light: bring torch
Dimension: L=50 m, W=5 m, H=5 m.
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:  
Address: Christian Cave, Wakamatsugo, Shinkamigoto-cho, Minamimatsura-gun 853-2301 Nagasaki Prefecture, Tel: +81-959-52-4964.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History

1566 foreign missionaries spread Christian faith throughout Goto.
1868 first persecution of Christians in the prison of Hisakajima Island.
1967 a cross with a height of 4 m and a statue of Christ with a height of 3.6 m were placed at the entrance.

Description

キリシタン洞窟 (Kirishitan dōkutsu, Christian Cave) is a sea cave which is invisible from the water. It is a through-cave and about 50 m long. The cave has a smaller passage crossing, so it is shaped like a cross.

From the end of the Edo period to the beginning of the Meiji period, there were numerous events where Christians were persecuted in the area around Nagasaki. This Christian oppression is known as the ‘Goto Kurage’ (the collapse of the Goto Islands) and started with the persecution of Christians in the prison of Hisakajima Island. Christians from the Satonoura area hid in this cave because it was only accessible by boat and thus accidental discovery was unlikely. However, once the smoke of the fire used to prepare breakfast was seen by a passing fishing boat, who informed the authorities. The refugees in the cave were caught and subsequently tortured, which made the cave a sort of Christian martyr monument. A cross with a height of 4 m and a statue of Christ with a height of 3.6 m were placed at the entrance in 1967 to commemorate this event. Every November, about 100 people, mainly members of the Doinoura Church, land at the cave and hold a mass and pray inside.

The cave is accessible only by boat, the easiest way is to charter a boat at the nearby Doinoura harbour. There are no regular trips we know of. Such a boat trip with a small boat allows leaving the boat and walking to the cave and go inside. There is also a nice natural bridge nearby, which you should also visit. The captain of your boat will know all the relevant sites.