Silence_ A Literary Tour of Hidden Christian Sites in Sotome
![Silence_ A Literary Tour of Hidden Christian Sites in Sotome-1](https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/storage/special_features/306/responsive_images/HsLcjhp0L8dzAnP8ZSnq7Rehpud5gl78H2KfT3I8__1639_1092.jpeg)
Silence is a novel by Endo Shusaku and has been adapted into film by Academy Award Winning Director Martin Scorsese. Explore today's peaceful and scenic town of Sotome and uncover its painful yet moving history of Christian Heritage in Nagasaki.
- Required Time:1day
- Means of Transportation:by car
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START
Starting Point: Nagasaki City
![Starting Point: Nagasaki City-1](https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/storage/special_feature_paragraph_contents/2470/responsive_images/ObtztzZc7qEf9jQtRP1WWG95WkA9FCqKYpM8Uh8H__1659_1075.jpeg)
Rent a Car in the city area for the day!
Local buses bound for Sotome are available but for the best experience (especially for well-hidden sites), we recommend renting a car.
Visitors can also consider taking the tour bus (itinerary differs).
Apporox. 50min. by car
Endo Shusaku Literary Museum
A memorial to a Catholic novelist who loved Sotome.
![Endo Shusaku Literary Museum-1](https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/storage/special_feature_paragraph_contents/2461/responsive_images/6tYIJUgzoOFVRdVBlPK5xhBHfbnaQHHPGbaZ5HJH__800_600.jpeg)
The Endo Shusaku Literary Museum chronicles celebrated Japanese author Endo’s life and study and holds a collection of over 30,000 articles - largely Christian-related - including original written manuscripts and books relating to his writings. The most notable of which, Silence, has been translated to English and turned into an English-language film (Silence, 2016).
This museum is located in Sotome that is a one hour drive away from Nagasaki City. It overlooks the Goto-nada Sea and is a picturesque spot for watching the sun set. The district was home to persecuted Christians during the ban on Christianity and is known as the hometown of Christians in Japan. While not originally from Nagasaki, Endo felt a strong bond with the district, calling it his second home. It was therefore the wish of his family that the museum be built in Sotome.
The attached café, ‘Enchanté’, serves local food including Fr. De Rotz noodles.
Address | 851-2327 長崎県長崎市東出津町77番地 | |
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TEL | 0959-37-6011 | |
Hours of Operation | 9:00-17:00 | |
Closed | 29 Dec - 3 Jan |
Apporox. 5min. by car
Kurosaki Church
![Kurosaki Church-1](https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/storage/special_feature_paragraph_contents/2462/responsive_images/fo3iUR8aOFCoYFbyXduPUWGy2rZ6v7dXTwOgFeIC__1024_768.jpeg)
One of the sites Endo visited to gather material for his novel. The surrounding district was home to many hidden Christians who dwelled here during the ban on Christianity. Under the direction of Fr. de Rotz, the foundation of Kurosaki Church was laid in 1897, and its building plans were drawn in 1899 before the church was completed in 1920.
Address | 851-2324 長崎県長崎市上黒崎町26 | |
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TEL | 0959-37-6011 | |
Hours of Operation | 9:00~17:00 (May not be open during Mass or ceremonial occasions) |
Apporox. 10min. by car
Karematsu Shrine
Karematsu Shrine is dedicated to Jiwan, Bastian’s religious leader.
![Karematsu Shrine-1](https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/storage/special_feature_paragraph_contents/2469/responsive_images/1afoh0wLGUtkyhQIQjH6fFqOTAHdjYvz6D6r7uob__800_600.jpeg)
Karematsu Shrine is dedicated to Jiwan, Bastian’s religious leader. He passed away from hunger and cold while hiding in a valley and observing religious practices. The local people buried him and worshipped his tomb as a sacred place. Each November, locals hold the Karematsu Shrine Festival, when ecumenical prayer services are held as well as a mass conducted by a Catholic priest.
This is one of only three shrines in Japan dedicated to holy figures associated with Christianity.
Apporox. 15min. by car
LUNCHTIME
Option 1:
Enchante Cafe in the Endo Shusaku Literary Museum
Enjoy Father de Rotz noodles here
Option 2:
Vaux sur aure (ヴォスロール)
Restaurant run by followers of Father de Rotz. Food here is also prepared with great love and care in de Rotz style. Reservations recommended!
Side trip: Silence monument
![Side trip: Silence monument-1](https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/storage/special_feature_paragraph_contents/2464/responsive_images/3EFp1a9Fb737eBNmzEGXyUrL46tmJeA8awbQkkSQ__1787_1340.jpeg)
Vaux sur aure is a walking distance away from this monument. Enjoy a view of the village that inspired Tomogi Village.
Apporox. 25min. by car
Bastian’s Hut
![Bastian’s Hut-1](https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/storage/special_feature_paragraph_contents/2465/responsive_images/6KHK5xu5XDhw45GDrFFqO4tZDKQ9vrwPztVCf42u__1787_1340.jpeg)
A Japanese priest, baptized as Bastian, was said to have stayed in the Sotome area, secretly conducting religious activities for the hidden Christians after all other priests had been deported and exiled. To evade his pursuers, he was believed to have moved from place to place, living in secluded huts. The current site which features a rebuilt hut is said to have been one of the places Bastian had stayed in. In the novel, Rodrigues laid low in a charcoal hut likely modeled after this relic.
Apporox. 25min. by car
Shitsu Church and Former Shitsu Aid Center Buildings and Fr. de Rotz Memorial Museum
The mission base of de Rotz, who dedicated himself to assisting the needy. A social welfare facility where Fr. de Rotz handed on his talents and skills.
![Shitsu Church and Former Shitsu Aid Center Buildings and Fr. de Rotz Memorial Museum-1](https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/storage/special_feature_paragraph_contents/2466/responsive_images/vEpPeFGZ5LnEhuWjoX3bScXD1KJiakPH5kvTHfIP__800_592.jpeg)
Shitsu Church
When he encountered the hidden Christians, Fr. Petitjean realized that there were many other Christians hiding in the Sotome region. He appointed Fr. de Rotz as parish priest of the Shitsu and Kurosaki districts. On a hill commanding a view over the Goto-nada Sea, he established a church at his own expense. A statue of the Virgin Mary that was ordered from France still stands on the bell tower, although the original bell is gone, having been given up for metal collection during World War II. The low roofs and the flat or slightly vaulted ceilings are effective in withstanding the strong winds that blow there.
Former Shitsu Aid Center Buildings
Fr. de Rotz established this facility as a social welfare center. His intention was to help the women in need to gain independence. The first floor was used as a food processing plant mainly producing noodles such as macaroni and somen (thin wheat noodles), while the second floor was a factory for making textiles. Three courses in practical subjects such as education, reading, writing and calculation were taught there.
Fr. de Rotz Memorial Museum
Fr. de Rotz devoted his life to Catholic mission and salvation in the district of Sotome. All the articles he left behind were collected and preserved in the memorial facilities located within the Sotome-Shitsu Cultural Village. A net-making factory which he established was refurbished into the museum to commemorate his great contributions. Among the exhibits are medical appliances, tools and supplies, printed or written documents, and various other materials he used for his missionary and salvation work. The original factory had a sturdy outside wall in front, to protect the building from the strong wind.
Hours of Operation | Shitsu Aid Center 9:00-17:00 (Tue-Sat) 11:00-17:00 (Sun, 8/15, 11/7, 12/25) Fr. de Rotz Memorial Museum 9:00-17:00 |
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Closed | Shitsu Aid Center Mondays (next working day if Monday is a public holiday) 29 Dec - 6 Jan Fr. de Rotz Memorial Museum 29 Dec - 3 Jan |
Apporox. 5min. by car
Sunset at Endo Shusaku Literary Museum
Watch the sun set on the horizon or in the distant Goto Islands across the Goto-nada sea
![Sunset at Endo Shusaku Literary Museum-1](https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/storage/special_feature_paragraph_contents/2467/responsive_images/Jr3u6gMT2o4AJXyJgpcDXfF7YRMDzgNCttNGJtnz__1758_1433.jpeg)
Apporox. 50min. by car
*if you are driving from Nagasaki City on a weekday, traffic conditions might delay your driving time.
Nagasaki Station
![Nagasaki Station-1](https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/storage/special_feature_paragraph_contents/2468/responsive_images/qplUJqUp7aZhjwnr15Hw8sPgkBlCfoP9b1rW6O7E__1673_1115.jpeg)
FINISH
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