Sakitsu Village
During the time of Christian prohibition, the quaint fishing village of Sakitsu became the focal point for the propagation of Christianity because of its hidden location. Some of the settings are still present in the village such as the village’s main road, stone walls, and sacred sites. On the time of Christian propagation, almost 70% of the population were believed to be Christians.
Top view of Sakitsu Church
During the time of Christian prohibition, the quaint fishing village of Sakitsu became the focal point for the propagation of Christianity because of its hidden location. Some of the settings are still present in the village such as the village’s main road, stone walls, and sacred sites. On the time of Christian propagation, almost 70% of the population were believed to be Christians.
Long after the ban on Christianity was lifted, many churches were built by the local believers. One of these is the Catholic Church built in Sakitsu Village in 1934. The church is a mix of Western and Japanese culture. The outside might have the gothic features of a modern Christian church, but the floor inside is still covered with tatami mats.
Sakitsu Church
Sakitsu Church looks like a gothic building from outside
Inside Sakitsu Church – modern interior design that includes tatami mats as flooring
Visit the Minato-ya Museum of Sakitsu to see some of the Christian artifacts used by the locals to practice their faith in secrecy.
Address: Sakitsu, Kawaura-machi, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan