{"product_id":"10-days-japan-october-2026","title":"10 Days Japan October 2026","description":"\u003ch1 data-section-id=\"zte7av\" data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"62\"\u003eJapanese Christian Pilgrimage to Nagasaki \u0026amp; the Goto Islands\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"64\" data-end=\"377\"\u003eA pilgrimage to \u003cstrong data-start=\"80\" data-end=\"113\"\u003eNagasaki and the Goto Islands\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most profound Christian heritage journeys in Asia. The region preserves the story of the arrival of Christianity in Japan, the persecution of believers, and the remarkable survival of the \u003cstrong data-start=\"316\" data-end=\"357\"\u003eHidden Christians (Kakure Kirishitan)\u003c\/strong\u003e for over 250 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"co4m23\" data-start=\"379\" data-end=\"426\"\u003eHistorical Background: Christianity in Japan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"9nxqv5\" data-start=\"428\" data-end=\"462\"\u003eArrival of Christianity (1549)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"463\" data-end=\"660\"\u003eChristianity arrived in Japan when \u003cstrong data-start=\"498\" data-end=\"520\"\u003eSt. Francis Xavier\u003c\/strong\u003e, a Jesuit missionary, landed in Kagoshima in 1549. The faith spread rapidly, especially in Kyushu, including Nagasaki and the Goto Islands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"662\" data-end=\"687\"\u003eBy the late 16th century:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"688\" data-end=\"854\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"x0gz5a\" data-start=\"688\" data-end=\"726\"\u003eHundreds of thousands had converted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"2yexnh\" data-start=\"727\" data-end=\"775\"\u003eSeveral local daimyo (lords) became Christian.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"c1uw98\" data-start=\"776\" data-end=\"854\"\u003eNagasaki became the center of Japanese Christianity and international trade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"dpp9dd\" data-start=\"856\" data-end=\"885\"\u003ePersecution and Martyrdom\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"886\" data-end=\"1000\"\u003eIn 1587, Toyotomi Hideyoshi began restricting Christianity. Under the Tokugawa Shogunate, persecution intensified:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1002\" data-end=\"1137\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"51bmz5\" data-start=\"1002\" data-end=\"1028\"\u003eChurches were destroyed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1ka08of\" data-start=\"1029\" data-end=\"1053\"\u003eMissionaries expelled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1fx98pp\" data-start=\"1054\" data-end=\"1098\"\u003eChristians forced to renounce their faith.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"z1lks3\" data-start=\"1099\" data-end=\"1137\"\u003eThousands were tortured or executed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1139\" data-end=\"1248\"\u003eThe most famous event was the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1216\"\u003eMartyrdom of the Twenty-Six Saints of Japan\u003c\/strong\u003e in 1597, crucified in Nagasaki.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1i9qyjb\" data-start=\"1250\" data-end=\"1275\"\u003eThe Hidden Christians\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1276\" data-end=\"1353\"\u003eAfter Christianity was officially banned in 1614, believers went underground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1355\" data-end=\"1378\"\u003eFor over two centuries:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1379\" data-end=\"1540\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"3nn8oa\" data-start=\"1379\" data-end=\"1433\"\u003eFamilies secretly passed down prayers and teachings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1xnvqpz\" data-start=\"1434\" data-end=\"1488\"\u003eChristian symbols were disguised as Buddhist images.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"12d4atx\" data-start=\"1489\" data-end=\"1540\"\u003eCommunities survived without priests or churches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1741\"\u003eWhen Japan reopened in the 19th century, missionaries discovered that hidden Christian communities still existed, especially in Nagasaki and the Goto Islands—a unique phenomenon in Christian history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1741\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1743\" data-end=\"1746\"\u003e","brand":"Alternative Travel \u0026 Tours","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51440208838889,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0799\/0676\/7081\/files\/island.jpg?v=1778652720","url":"https:\/\/www.pilgrimagesingapore.com\/products\/10-days-japan-october-2026","provider":"Alternative Travel \u0026 Tours","version":"1.0","type":"link"}