4.Shimofuji Christian Tombs
The souls of Notsu Christians
resting peacefully in Notsu soil
This Christian graveyard is for believers from the village of Shimofuji and is the first in Japan to have been discovered completely intact. Said to be the foremost graveyard in Japan in terms of scale, records from that time show that Leao (Baptismal name), the head of Shimofuji Village and leader of the Notsu Christians, had the graveyard prepared at his own expense. As well as 66 Christian tombs, the site of a small chapel, a circular plaza paved with river stones, and such remnants as an approach path have been found. There are signs of clear awareness of Catholic graveyards in Europe, such as the deceased being buried with their heads pointing west, which suggests the Notsu Christians were actively adopting Western culture, and makes it an important historic site.
Tombstone with the baptismal name “Jochin” carved into it below a floral cross. Discovered in 1956.
This site is accessible on Street Museum, a virtual reality tourism app that gives users on-site historical experiences. Holding up your phone will summon up views of the past.
- Address
- Haru, Notsu-machi, Usuki City, Oita Prefecture
- TEL
- None
- Parking
- Parking available in the square next to the historic site
- Stamp location
- Inside the pillar in the Yururu Citizens Plaza, Usuki City Notsu Government Office Building
- Restrooms
- Use the toilet inside Yururu
- *
- *Usuki City Notsu Government Office Building is open 7:30-18:30 on weekdays and 8:30-18:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.