Explore Hirado’s rich history around the old port

• History of Hirado Port and the Matsura Clan
• Matsura clan’s castle, towering above the Hirado Strait
• Enjoy the Lord’s private garden during special openings
• Gaze at art and history in the last lord’s residence
• Walking the old streets of Hirado

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Tour the Hidden Christian related heritage sites located amidst Hirado’s spectacular scenery

• Hirado, the first town that St. Francis Xavier visited in Nagasaki
• Bring your camera for a walk around Kasuga village
• Cross Ikitsuki Bridge to Ikitsuki Island
• Christian heritage sites around Hirado

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Unravel the history of Hirado, Japan’s old gateway to the West

• Hirado, center of the Nanban trade
• The Hirado Dutch Trading Post and its remains
• Visit places related to some of Hirado’s famous historical foreign figures
• The Dutch Bridge, incorporating new foreign technology

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A journey tracing the remnants of historical whaling

• Azuchi-Oshima Island and Ikitsuki Island are two islands with a history of whaling
• The whaling culture in Hirado
• Traces of the Masutomi whaling group on Ikitsuki Island
• Traces of the whaling culture on Azuchi-Oshima Island
• Passing down the culture of historical whaling to the present day

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From Prehistoric Times to the Present Day: A Journey through the History of Port City Hirado

• The Introduction of Rice Cultivation
• Exchange with China
• Eisai, the monk who brought Zen and Tea to Japan
• 16th century: Many Chinese merchants come to trade
• Exchange with the West
• Flourishing Trade with the Netherlands
• Hirado Dutch Trading Post

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Hirado Okunchi Festival: Experience the history and traditions of Hirado

• Hirado's Autumn Festival: Okunchi
• Kameoka Shrine, dedicated to the Matsura family
• Exploring the places related to the Hirado Okunchi Festival

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