A quiet sanctuary steeped in history and faith! 5 areas in Hirado and Ikitsukijima Island

Recommended Touring Spots in 7 Prefectures in Kyushu

Hello, I am Tetsuma Photographer, a photographer who loves traveling in Kyushu! I will be introducing selected recommended touring spots in Kyushu area from the viewpoint of Tetsuma Photographer, using the know-how I have gained through my coverage of Kyushu for Touring magazine, which I started in 2017. In this 22nd issue, we will introduce recommended touring spots in the Hirado and Ikitsuki Island area of Nagasaki Prefecture! The city of Hirado prospered as a trading port with Portugal, the Netherlands, and England from the 16th to 17th centuries, and there are many historical sites in the city that tell the history of those days, including a restored warehouse of the Hirado Dutch Trading House and a monument to Francis Xavier, the first to introduce Christianity in Japan. The Ikitsuki Sunset Way, a road running along the western coastline of Ikitsuki Island, offers a touring route through magnificent scenery of sea, sky, and cliffs, and has been selected as one of the 100 most scenic roads in Japan!

1. Hirado Castle, a symbol of the exotic city of Hirado

Construction of Hirado Castle began in 1599, but the castle was torn down in consideration of the shogunate, and reconstruction was approved in 1704 and completed in 1718. The current castle tower was restored in 1962 and is one of the 100 best castles in Japan.

With the renovation in 2021, Hirado Castle will have new attractions that are not only "to see" but also "to experience," and the inside of the keep has been redesigned as an "AMUSEUM" (a fusion of amusement and museum) exhibit.

The castle town of Hirado is home to the Dutch trading house and other buildings, giving it an exotic atmosphere.

2. Kawauchi Pass, a spectacular spot with a vast expanse of grassland

Kawauchi Pass is located about 10 minutes from the center of Hirado City. From the top of the 267-meter-high pass, you can enjoy an unobstructed panoramic view of the many islands of Kujukushima, the prairie spreading out below, and the coastline and villages of Hirado Island. If the weather is fine, you can even see as far as Iki and Tsushima in the distance!

Climbing up the small mountain, you can see a spectacular view of the Kujuku Islands and the village of Hirado Island.

Although it is not long, it is a very popular touring spot, as it allows you to ride through a spectacular landscape similar to that of Aso, even though you are in Nagasaki.

3. Roadside Station Ikitsuki Ohashi, located at the entrance to Ikitsuki Island, where you can taste the sea and the sky.

Located at the foot of the Ikitsuki Ohashi Bridge that crosses from Hirado Island to Ikitsuki Island, this facility is a convenient gateway to sightseeing on Ikitsuki Island. At the direct sales counter, fresh marine products caught in the seas around Ikitsuki Island, locally grown vegetables, and processed products are sold. Near the roadside station is an observation area where visitors can get a close-up view of the Ikitsuki Ohashi Bridge, which connects Ikitsukijima and Hiradojima. As the name of the roadside station suggests, visitors can enjoy the grandeur of the bridge.

Fresh seafood from the waters around Ikitsuki Island, locally grown vegetables, and processed products are sold here.

From the premises, you can see the beautiful Ikitsuki Bridge against the blue sky, making this roadside station a great place for commemorative photos.

4. Ikitsuki Sunset Way, one of the most scenic touring routes in Japan

The Ikitsuki Sunset Line is one of the most spectacular touring routes in Japan, running along the west coast of Ikitsuki Island in Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture. As the name suggests, it is nicknamed "Sunset Way" because it is the best place to watch the magnificent sunset over the East China Sea. It is also famous as a filming location for an automobile manufacturer's commercial, attracting visitors.

Go to Ikitsuki Island to watch the sunset over the East China Sea

It is an overly comfortable seaside road that stretches for about 10 km without a single traffic light.

Every time I drive the Ikitsuki Sunset Way, I hate going back to Fukuoka.

5. Ohbae Lighthouse, a spectacular spot at the northernmost tip of Ikutsuki Island

Standing at the northernmost tip of Ikitsuki Island, Obae Lighthouse is a spectacular spot that symbolizes Ikitsuki Island. Located at the end of the Ikitsuki Sunset Line, it is a popular spot that offers a magnificent panoramic view of the East China Sea. Located at the end of the Ikitsuki Sunset Line, it is a popular spot that offers a magnificent view of the East China Sea. The contrast between the rugged rock surface and the pure white lighthouse against the blue of the sky and sea makes for a very beautiful sight. The area around the lighthouse is a well-maintained observation plaza that offers an unobstructed 360-degree panoramic view.

It is one of the few lighthouses in the country that can be climbed, and if you do, you can enjoy the spectacular view from an even higher vantage point.

A quiet sanctuary steeped in history and faith! Hirado and Ikitsuki Area 5 to Gallery (10)