Overview
Amakusa is a chain of ten islands off Kumamoto's coast with Japan's most significant Christian heritage. Portuguese Jesuit missionaries arrived in the 16th century, and despite brutal persecution following the 1614 ban on Christianity, the islands retain remarkable churches including Sakitsu Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beach · Day Trips · Festivals · History · Nature
Before you go
Festivals
The Amakusa Hondo Summer Festival runs July 31 to August 7 with dances, fireworks, and street celebrations attracting thousands of local participants.
History
Amakusa's history includes 16th-century Christian conversion, the Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion of 1637-1638 with over 35,000 dead, and modern-day status as Japan's most rapidly depopulating region.
Transport
Amakusa is accessed via ferry from the mainland, with Misumi Station and Amakusa Airfield serving as local transport nodes.
