World Cultural Heritage Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region

“Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region”
Information Centre

Most of the churches in the World Cultural Heritage “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region” are not tourist facilities, but churches that function as places for religious events (Mass, funeral, etc.) and prayer.
Therefore, it is essential that these coexist in an orderly manner, with consideration for local residents and congregations, and the orderly disclosure of world cultural heritage.
We ask that the public refrain from visiting during religious events, so we ask for your understanding and cooperation with the prior notice system.

Online registration is available up to 2 days before the visit.
If you wish to visit the day before or the day of the event, please call our center.(TEL:+81-95-823-7650/Reception hours:9:30～17:30)

If you are going to be more than 30 minutes ahead or behind your prior notification time, please call our center.
If you do not exceed 30 minutes, you may simply give your name to the receptionist on site.

Please refer to here for cancellation procedures and follow the procedures on the web.
If you have applied by phone, please call our center.
*Many people do not follow the cancellation procedures, and this is causing problems for our local staff. Please be sure to follow the cancellation procedures or call us.

The main duties of the church attendants are to watch over the churches and surrounding area within the World Cultural Heritage “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region” and to receive and coordinate visitors.
Most of the members are local residents and local believers.
Some of their members are knowledgeable about history but are not guides, so if you would like a guide, please contact a local guiding group or other organization.

Local guiding groups. ≫

If you wish to have a guide, please contact the respective guiding organization.

Local guiding groups. ≫

While most churches have no restrictions on participation in Mass, our center is a “facility that accepts pre-visit contacts to churches within the World Heritage Site”.
We are unable to respond or reply to inquiries from prospective Mass attendees.

Photography is prohibited inside each church owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Nagasaki.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Nagasaki Various applications relating to church photos, etc. (JP)

Please keep the inside of the church in your own memory.
Interior photography is allowed at the former Gorin Church in Goto City (a separate procedure is required in case of interviews, etc.).

Applications and permits for church photography are handled by the respective owners and managing entities.

For more information ≫

Images and videos of churches are available for a fee at the “Nagasaki Churches Information Center” online store. https://kyoukaigun.ocnk.net/

*When using images purchased in the above stores, a separate application procedure for publication and use is also required.

In Nagasaki Prefecture, among churches outside the components of World Heritage Sites, the advance contact system is applied at Tabira Church in Hirado City.
For visits to other churches, no advance notice is required.
If you are visiting another church, prior notice is not required, but please do not enter the grounds or building during the event.

For more information ≫

Since the church is not a tourist facility, there is no admission fee.
Exceptions are the National Treasures Oura Cathedral and Dozaki Church Museum, which require an admission fee.