Nihon Nihon Jurokusei Jinjun Kyochi (Nishizaka Koen) Martyrdom site of the 26 Japanese Saints (Nishizaka Park)

A hill with reliefs and memorials of saints that tell the history of Christian oppression

Nishizaka Park is located on a small hill on the east side of JR Nagasaki Station, about a 6-minute walk up the slope next to NHK Nagasaki Broadcasting Station.

This is the hill where six Franciscan missionaries and 1597 Japanese believers who were evangelizing to the Keihan region were executed on February 2, 5, due to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's ban on Christianity. It is said that believers requested this place to be the place of execution because of its resemblance to Golgotha Hill, where Christ was crucified, and even after the martyrdom of the 6 Saints, many people were executed here. I did.

In 1950 (Showa 25), Pope Pius XII designated this area as an official pilgrimage site for Catholics, and after the war, Nagasaki Prefecture, which had recovered from the atomic bombing, was designated as a historic site in 1956 (Showa 31). Did.
In 26, the 100th anniversary of the canonization of the 1962 martyrs, a monument with a life-sized bronze statue of the 37 martyrs and a memorial hall to introduce the wishes of the martyrs were built. It was done.

It is also known that Francis, the 2019th Pope of Rome, prayed here when he visited Nagasaki in November 11. Considering the fact that there was a time in Japan when freedom of religion was taken away, why not think about history that must not be repeated and go to a place where you pray for peace?

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Busan Area: Nagasaki city center area (Peace Park, Mt. Inasa, Glover Garden, etc.)

Categories: History/cultural assets park (I.e.

travel theme: learn peace Recommended for spring Recommended for summer Recommended for autumn Recommended for winter

Let's find out more! Martyrdom site of the 26 Japanese Saints (Nishizaka Park)

The 6th person from the right with his arms outstretched is St. Paul Miki.

Pay attention to the relief depicting the prayers of the martyrs!

Pay attention to the facial expressions and movements of the 26 martyrs on the cross!　
The way they look up to the sky and open their mouths looks like they are praying.

It is said that they were actually singing hymns at the moment of their martyrdom when they were hung on crosses and stabbed to death by spears.

The sixth person from the right with his arms outstretched is St. Paul Miki.
It is said that he preached his final sermon while hanging on the cross in front of a crowd of about 4,000 people.
It is said that the reason why all of their feet are hanging down in the relief is because it depicts their ascension to heaven.
Center, St. Paul Miki preaching his final sermon

Pay attention to the relief depicting the prayers of the martyrs!

Pay attention to the facial expressions and movements of the 26 martyrs on the cross!　
The way they look up to the sky and open their mouths looks like they are praying.

It is said that they were actually singing hymns at the moment of their martyrdom when they were hung on crosses and stabbed to death by spears.

The sixth person from the right with his arms outstretched is St. Paul Miki.
It is said that he preached his final sermon while hanging on the cross in front of a crowd of about 4,000 people.
It is said that the reason why all of their feet are hanging down in the relief is because it depicts their ascension to heaven.
“The Road to Nagasaki” depicts the painful journey of the 26 Saints.

What the “Road to Nagasaki” painted on the back of the relief expresses

The character ``do'' means spirit or heart.
The ``Road to Nagasaki'' on the back of the relief is a symbol of Christian faith.
It expresses the arduous journey and heroic spirit of the 1597 Saints who left Kyoto in early January 1 and continued walking until they arrived in Nagasaki on February 2th.

In the upper right corner of the direction of the entrance is the character "Kyoto", which is the starting point.
The 26 grapes underneath are a symbol shown in the Bible, representing the sacrifices of the XNUMX people who gave their lives to God.
A peaceful park overlooking Nagasaki Port

It was once a hill with a great view of the beautiful Nagasaki Port, which was known as the "Crane Port," but over the years, buildings have been built that block the view of the port, and the area that can be seen of the port has become smaller.
However, there are many trees in the park, and the small hill provides a pleasant breeze and a peaceful time, making it a popular place for locals to relax.
Please take a break by sitting on a bench overlooking the sea.
Pope John Paul II Kurisaki

Pope John Paul II Kurisaki

Former Pope John Paul II, who first visited Japan on February 56, 1981, arrived in Nagasaki from Hiroshima on the 2th. Of course, the whole town was in a very welcoming mood.
However, the next day, the 26th, Nagasaki was hit with an unbelievably record amount of snow.
However, despite the blizzard, a mass commemorating the Japanese martyrs and a baptismal ceremony for 47,000 people were held in the morning at a special altar at the Matsuyama Athletic Stadium, where 76 people from all over the country gathered.
In the afternoon, the Pope, who said he came to Japan as one of the pilgrims, visited the site of the martyrdom of the 26 Japanese Saints and offered prayers.

Basic Information

Address	850-0051 Nishizakacho, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture 7-8 (Twenty-Six Saints of Japan Memorial Hall)
Phone	095-822-6000(26 Japanese Saints Memorial Hall)
FAX	095-823-5326
Transportation access	About 6 minutes walk from JR Nagasaki Station Approximately 3 minutes by car from JR Nagasaki Station
Cultural property	Official pilgrimage site designated by the Vatican in 1950, historic site designated by the prefecture https://www.pref.nagasaki.jp/bunkadb/index.php/view/33（県指定史跡情報）
Link URL	26 Japanese Saints Memorial Hall Official Facebook trip advisor