Explera DMC Japan plans the Goto Islands as a two- or three-day extension from Nagasaki. The islands hold four of the twelve parts of the Hidden Christian Sites World Heritage listing, and several churches need notice in advance through an information centre in Nagasaki, so we arrange visits before the group travels.
The Goto Islands lie off the west coast of Kyushu in Nagasaki Prefecture. During the centuries when Christianity was banned in Japan, communities here kept their faith in secret, and their villages and churches are now part of the World Heritage site "Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region", inscribed in 2018. The Goto parts are the settlements on Nozaki, Kashiragashima and Hisaka islands, and the Egami settlement on Naru Island.
How do groups reach the Goto Islands?
Goto City lists a jetfoil from Nagasaki Port to Fukue Port of about 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, and a car ferry of about 3 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 55 minutes. There are also short flights to Fukue Airport from Nagasaki and Fukuoka. Sea crossings are cancelled in strong wind, so we keep a buffer day before any international flight. See our Nagasaki guide and our guide to Japan's ferries.
What do church visits require?
- Advance notice. Kashiragashima, Egami and the former Gorin church are arranged through the Hidden Christian Sites information centre in Nagasaki, and the former Nokubi church on Nozaki through Ojika Island Tourism. Visits can be refused on days of church events or when too many people come at once.
- No photos inside. Photography is not allowed inside the churches.
- Mass comes first. Visitors do not enter for sightseeing during Mass or other services.
- Village manners. Groups take their rubbish with them, stay out of fields and homes, and use only the marked toilets.
Many churches are still active parish churches, so we keep groups small at each one and brief clients beforehand. For more of Japan's smaller islands, see our islands guide.
Sources: Hidden Christian Sites: visiting rules and access, Goto City: getting to Goto and Nagasaki church information centre.
FAQ
How long is the jetfoil from Nagasaki to the Goto Islands? Goto City gives about 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes from Nagasaki Port to Fukue Port. The car ferry takes about three to four hours.
Which Goto churches need advance booking? Kashiragashima, Egami and the former Gorin church are arranged through the information centre in Nagasaki; the former Nokubi church through Ojika Island Tourism.
Can clients take photos in the churches? Not inside. Photography is allowed outside, and visitors should not enter during Mass or other services.
How many days do the Goto Islands need? We suggest two or three days from Nagasaki, with a buffer day before any international flight in case the sea is rough.
Planning Nagasaki and the Goto Islands for your clients? Write to b2b@explera.jp, message the trade desk on WhatsApp at +66 93 656 8090, or register on the B2B portal. Proposals within 24 hours. IATA TIDS 96215733, ASTA member 900408341.
