It takes about 10 minutes by taxi from Kagoshima-Chuo Station, the terminal of the Kyushu Shinkansen, to Kagoshima Cathedral Xavier Church. The current church was built in 1999 to commemorate 450 years of Xavier's landing. The stained glass that shines red and blue purple with daylight is very impressive.
フランシスコ・ザビエル
INTRODUCTION SITE OF CHRISTIANITY (KAGOSHIMA)
Xavier Park is located across the street from the Kagoshima Cathedral Xavier Church. In 1549, guided by a Japanese called Yajiro, Jesuit missionary Francisco Xavier landed on Kagoshima. With the permission of Takahisa Shimadzu, Xavier took the first step in Christian propagation in Japan in Kagoshima. A Japanese with baptismal name Bernardo whom Xavier took to Kyoto in order to obtain permission of the missionary work from the emperor, later reportedly was the first Japanese to attend an audience with the Pope when he traveled to Europe.
XAVIER LANDING MONUMENT (KAGOSHIMA)
The Xavier Landing Monument is located in the corner of Gion-no-Su Park facing Kinko Bay. There is a relief depicting Xavier's party landing. On a clear day, the sight of Sakurajima can be seen off the coast. It taks about 15 minutes on foot from "Ishibashi Memorial Park" bus stop of Kagoshima City View Bus.
HIRADO XAVIER MEMORIAL CHURCH
The official name is Hirado Xavier Memorial Church, standing on a hill overlooking Hirado Port on the west side of Hirado city. Hirado is the place where St. Francis Xavier visited for the mission three times. Many residents in Hirado became Christian by Jesuit missionaries, and continued to maintain their faith even under the banof Christianity during the Edo era. The current church is built in 1971. It is a 5-minute walk from the Hirado City Hall bus stop.
MONUMENT OF FRANCISCO XAVIER (HIRADO)
A monument was erected on the hill of Hirado Sakigata Park in 1949 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of visiting Japan of Francisco Xavier who visited Hirado three times, starting with 1550, and preached the Gospel with permission of the feudal lord Takanobu Matsuura. In addition, a monument to Francisco Xavier raising one hand is decorated on the historical road from Hirado Port Exchange Plaza to the Matsuura Museum.
XAVIER LANDING MONUMENT (SHIMONOSEKI)
The Xavier Landing Monument is located along the coast, about 15 minutes by taxi from Shimonoseki Station. In 1550, Francisco Xavier met Yoshitaka Ouchi, the feudal lord of Suo, and was granted permission to preach the Gospel. It was erected to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Francisco Xavier's arrival in Japan. The stones of Xavier's hometown, Javier Castle in Spain, are also installed. Beside the monument, there are Shimonoseki's famous Fugu restaurants in the Karato Market. And there is also an anglican church named Shimonoseki St. Francisco Xavier Church near the coast.
YAMAGUCHI XAVIER MEMORIAL CATHEDRAL
The Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Cathedral is a 10-minute walk from JR Yamaguchi Station. The old cathedral was built in 1951 to commemorate 400 years of Francisco Xavier's visit, but was destroyed by fire in 1991. Later, in 1998, the current cathedral was rebuilt. It is said that it was built under the theme of "water," "light," and "tent", which is a novel shape different from the old cathedral that carries two tall towers. There is also an exhibition of Christian-related materials, with a focus on materials related to Francisco Xavier.
MONUMENT TO FRANCISCO XAVIER (OITA)
A monument to Francisco Xavier standing at the entrance of the Promenade Park, south of Oita Funai Castle. In 1551, Francisco Xavier met at the invitation of the feudal lord of Bungo, Sorin Otomo. Francisco Xavier, under the auspices of Sorin Otomo, built an elementary school and a large hospital with Christian missions, and flourished European culture in Oita Prefecture. Sorin Otomo later became a representative of the Christian feudal lords.