Archives: Travel Post

The columns of rock created in a hexagon in the process of the hot lava cooling down are neatly lined up as if they were looming from the shoreline. The rock formations lined up on the beautiful ridgeline also look like a tortoiseshell pattern. It is officially called Shiotaira Pillar Sari.

A sandy beach with a width of about 200m. Wave and quiet swimming beach. The opening period is from mid-July to mid-August, 9 to 17 o'clock. Shower room (3 minutes of cold water tap water, 100 yen) and changing rooms (only for the opening of the swimming beach).

The natural garden, which consists of four observation zones: an insect house and an open-air field, a waterside, a forest, and a grass-plantage, has an area of 41,000 square meters, and is always guided by a commentator.

A western-style garden on a small hill with views of Hirado Castle and the Hirado Xavier Memorial Church across Hirado Seto. Father Camilo Costanzo, an Italian missionary who was expelled to Macau under the Edo Shogunate's ban on Christianity and re-infiltrated Japan in 1621. He continued his evangelism on the island of Ikuzuki and Nashima, and the following year he was captured on the island of Ukujima in Goshima and burned to death in this area of Tahira. It is this park that was maintained on the site of that martyrdom. In the park, there is a large monument representing the figure of Father Camilo in the public fire, and by the side stands a martyrdom monument marked on a copper plate with the provenance of the father and the state of martyrdom, telling the sad times. A martyr festival is held every fall.

There are slides with a total length of about 40m, tennis courts and playing field squares. You can also see the Hirado Bridge from the observation deck in the park. Sakura Festival is held in spring and Festa of Light in winter.

A red brick church standing on a high ground overlooking Hirado Seto and Hirado Island. Followers who had emigrated from Kuroshima and the Izutsu settlement in the open sea later built the current full-scale cathedral together with Father Tokichi Nakata. Completed in 1918 by the labor service of believers, the dedication ceremony was held the following year. The design and construction work is Tōsuke Tōkawa, known for his church architecture. The exterior is a striking and beautiful design, including a variety of brickstacking techniques based on British stacking and black brick decoration. The bell of the tower Angelus with an octagonal dome was ordered from France. The ceiling inside the temple is a full-fledged rib vault ceiling, and the colorful second-floor stained glass is produced by German Maximiliano Bartosz over two years. National Designated Important Cultural Property.

One-day bathing of the hot springs is possible at the Hotel Saiyo WAKIGAWA, located on the hill of the entrance to the city of Hirado. The idyllic Hirado Seto spreads in front of the observation large bathhouse, and on the left, you can also see the appearance of Hirado Castle.

Day-trip bathing in hot springs is possible at the Hirado Marine Hotel facing Hirado Seto. "Onsen Kaimobao Roby-no-ki", which overlooks the great ocean of Hirado Seto, is popular. The aquarium large bathhouse "Dragon Palace" is enjoyed while watching sea turtles and fish. If you make a reservation, you can use two private baths and two open-air baths at an additional charge.

Day-trip bathing is possible in a large bathhouse that draws the hot springs of the international tourist hotel Bansho-tei, which stands on a hill in the city of Hirado. As you can see the sea of Hirado, the panoramic observation bath with large windows and the open-air bath where you can take a bath while feeling the sea breeze are comfortable. The wooden-style foot bath is also popular.

A long-established store of "cas dos", a southern barbaric confection that is proud of its 500 years in existence. Dip egg yolks in a strip-shaped castella and float as if fried with sugar honey, and has many fans in its own taste. Five pieces of 1080 yen, 10 pieces of 2160 yen.