Hirado Island

Welcome to Hirado, a captivating island city located off the northwest coast of Nagasaki Prefecture. As the westernmost city on Japan's main islands, Hirado has served for centuries as a vital gateway for international trade and…

Your journey to Hirado often begins at Tabira-Hiradoguchi Station, the westernmost station on a conventional railway line in Japan. This quaint station features a small museum dedicated to its railway history and is often home to…

Dominating the city's skyline is Hirado Castle, the ancestral seat of the Matsuura clan who ruled this region for over eight hundred years. The current castle is a reconstruction that incorporates modern interactive features,…

One of Hirado’s most iconic and evocative sights is the 'Temple and Church Landscape.' As you walk along the hillside paths of the Uramachi district, you will find a specific spot where the spires of the Saint Francis Xavier…

For a deeper dive into the refined culture of the Hirado elite, we visit the Matsuura Historical Museum, located in the former residence of the Matsuura lords. This elegant building houses a treasure trove of artifacts that tell…

Descending to the waterfront, we arrive at the site of the Hirado Dutch Trading Post. Originally established in 1609, this was the center of operations for the Dutch East India Company in Japan for over thirty years. …

To truly feel the local life of Hirado, wander through the merchant streets of the city center, such as the Daikichi-dori and Tsukiji-dori. These streets are lined with traditional buildings, some housing shops that have been in…

As our exploration of Hirado Island comes to a close, we are left with a profound sense of a city that has always bridged the gap between Japan and the wider world. We have stood on the westernmost railway station, crossed a…