On February 5th, 1597 (during the Keicho Era), 26 Christians were executed under the orders of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, marking the beginning of a two century long period of harsh Christian persecution in Japan. In 1962, The 26 Martyrs Museum was built at the exact location of their execution to honor them and their tragic story and showcase the complicated history of Christianity in Japan, categorized as beginning with Francis Xavier’s arrival in Japan and ending with the beginning of the Meiji Era. The museum exhibits important items from this time such as letters exchanged between St. Francis Xavier and King John III of Portugal as well as artifacts that were used for devotion by ''Hidden Christians'' in secret for fear of facing execution. The museum is open all year round from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except from December 31st to January 2nd. The admission fee is 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for middle and high school students, and 150 yen for elementary school students; however, there are discounted prices for groups of 20 people or more. The 26 Martyrs Museum is the ideal historical site to visit in Nagasaki when one wants to learn about the history of Christianity in Nagasaki and Japan as a whole.

URL(ENGLISH)

http://www.26martyrs.com/%20

Address

Nishizaka-machi 7-8, Nagasaki City 850 - 0051, Japan

Directions

The closest tram station is Nagasaki Station. From there, it is a 7-minute walk to the museum.

Telephone: 095-822-6000

Hours

9AM - 5PM all year round Closed from December 31st - January 2nd.

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