Junkyo Park, Amakusa, Kumamoto

After visiting Matsuai, we stopped at Junkyo Park (殉教公園 -koen) in Amakusa. Like the ruins of Hara Castle we went there before, this place is known as the Shimabara rebellion, the greatest riot in Japan's uprising history between December 17, 1637 and April 15, 1638.

Driving on National Routes 266 and 324 from Matsuai and passing the Five bridges of Amakusa, we came to the central Hondo. However, there is a toll section called Matsushima Ariake road on the way; you should go through the old road unless you don't want to pay a 200 yen toll fee.

We arrived at the park around 12:30. As you went up the slope, you'll see a small mound in front of you. It is the tomb of Christian who killed during the war.

The Hondo city center seen from the road in front of the Amakusa Christian Museum. Hondo (本渡) was a city in Kumamoto Prefecture that existed before. On March 27, 2006, the city merged with nearby cities and towns, and become the new city of Amakusa.

The Amakusa Christian Museum shows explained the daily life of Hidden Christianity (=Kakure Kirishitan 隠れキリシタン in Japanese) during the Edo period such as footprints for Christian oppression and Maria Kannon, the Kannon statue secretly worshiped by the hidden Christian who imitated the Virgin Mary.

A little going down from the Christian museum, there is the statue of Saint Almeida and a Christian cemetery.