Amakusa tours

Visitors come to Amakusa, a cluster of islands in southern Japan, to experience the slower pace of life, a world away from hyper-urban Tokyo. For centuries, it was home to a secretive group of Christians who spent generations praying in the shadows. Today, the region draws tourists with its remoteness as well as its religious history. Take a private Amakusa tour and explore this corner of southern Japan with a friendly local guide. European missionaries converted large parts of Amakusa. Politics and religion intertwined in 1638, when peasants rose up against landowners in the Shimabara Rebellion, which led to Christianity being banned. Start at the Romanesque Oe Catholic Church, then follow your guide to the museum to learn about the region's "hidden Christians," who carved crosses into Buddhist statues. End the walking tour with a cup of steaming green tea. For marine mammal enthusiasts, our guides can arrange dolphin-watching trips with local fishermen, weather permitting.