In 2018, a number of the Nagasaki Archdiocese’s churches were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list under the name “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region”. Many are in remote locations and require advance contact in order to enter. For further information, please consult the following website: https://kyoukaigun.jp/en/
In the same year, the Nagasaki Archdiocese opened a new museum focused on introducing the Christian history of the Archdiocese. It is housed in the buildings adjacent to Oura Church (both the church and the adjacent buildings, which include the former Latin Divinity School and former Bishop’s Residence, are among the sites to have been awarded UNESCO status). Due to their historic importance and central location within Nagasaki Prefecture, this church and accompanying museum are good places to begin for those wishing to explore the Archdiocese’s UNESCO-listed Christian sites in greater detail. For further information, please consult the following website: https://christian-museum.jp
The Nagasaki Archdiocese also has large number of historic Christian sites that are not on the UNESCO list, as well as various other museums relating to its Christian history. The most notable include:
- The 26 Martyrs Museum (located on the site of the crucifixion of the 26 Martyrs of Japan): http://www.26martyrs.com
- Urakami Cathedral (rebuilt from ruins after the atomic bombing)
- Seibo no Kishi (the monastery founded in Nagasaki by St. Maximilian Kolbe)