Sotome (外海) is a rural, coastal area on the peninsula north of central Nagasaki. During the ban on Christianity in the Edo Period, Sotome was home to communities of "Hidden Christians", many of whom emigrated there from other parts of Nagasaki, because the remote region allowed them to practice their religion in secret. In the late 1800s, Japan lifted the ban on Christianity, and part of the local population rejoined the Catholic Church.

French missionary Father Marc Marie de Rotz played a large role in reestablishing the religion in the area. He established Shitsu Church on a hill overlooking the sea. The church was constructed in 1882 with local materials. Shitsu Church continues to serve the local Christian community and welcomes visitors to come and view its serene interior.

The Sotome region was poor and impoverished upon Father de Rotz's arrival, and some of his biggest contributions to the area were the social programs which he established to help the local women become independent and provide for themselves. To this end he built the Shitsu Aid Center, a vocational center where young women were taught how to manufacture macaroni, somen and textiles. They also learned reading, writing and mathematics, as well as skills in agriculture, architecture, fishing, flour milling and bread making.

The brick and white plaster structures were originally built in 1883 and have been restored to their original condition. They now serve as a museum with information about the women who studied there and the skills that they were taught. The center also continues to act as a local community center, holding various workshops and offering hand's on activities.

Next to the aid center stands the de Rotz Memorial Museum, which is housed in a building that was originally used to manufacture fishing nets. The museum displays personal belongings of the father, medical instruments and documents, religious items and farming tools used by the aid centre. The ticket for the memorial museum also grants you entry to the nearby Sotome Museum of History and Folklore, a typical museum about local history and culture.

Father de Rotz also built Ono Church, a satellite of Shitsu Church, in the neighboring district in order to better serve the local community there. Ono Church was built in a distinctive, simple architectural style of piled stones, which was common in the area during the Edo Period. The understated, rural sanctuary is located on the hill off the main road. Visitors can admire the structure from the outside, however it is not open to the public without prior reservations.

Getting there and around

Sotome lies about one hour north of central Nagasaki. There are hourly bus connections from Nagasaki Station up the Sotome coast. Some are direct, while others require a transfer at the Sakura no Sato (桜の里) bus terminal along the way. The one way ride to Shitsu takes around 80 minutes and costs 950 yen. Get off at the Shitsu (出津) or Shitsu Bunkamura (出津文化村) bus stop from where the attractions can be reached in a short walk. The Ono Church is an additional five minute bus ride up the coast. Get off at the Ono (大野) bus stop from where it is a 20 minute walk uphill to the church.

A rental car can make a visit to Sotome easier. Rental car outlets can be found in Nagasaki.

How to get to and around Nagasaki

Hours and Fees

Shitsu Church

Hours

Closed

Admission

Shitsu Aid Center

Hours

Closed

Admission

De Rotz Memorial Museum and Sotome Museum of History and Folklore

Hours

Closed

Admission

Ono Church

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Nagasaki

Top rated in Nagasaki
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    • Nagasaki Marriott Hotel
      Luxury
      Situated 200 metres from Nagasaki Station, Nagasaki Marriott Hotel offers 5-star accommodation in Nagasaki and has a fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar. Among the facilities at this property are a business centre and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation features room service, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Rooms are fitted with a kettle, while certain rooms come with a balcony and others also boast city views. At Nagasaki Marriott Hotel, rooms have a seating area. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near Nagasaki Marriott Hotel include Nagasaki Museum of History, 26 Martyrs Museum and Fukusaiji Temple. Nagasaki Airport is 39 km from the property.
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    • Nisshokan Bettei Koyotei
      Luxury
      Nisshokan Bettei Koyotei is located in the Nagasaki Area, a 10-minute drive from Nagasaki Peace Park. Featuring views of the beautiful Nagasaki, it offers a public bath and free parking. Bettei Koyotei Nisshokan is a 15-minute drive from Glover Garden. JR Nagasaki Train Station is a 5-minute drive from the hotel, and a free shuttle is provided. The Japanese-style guestrooms offer both air-conditioning and heating facilities, and an en suite bathroom. Each room is equipped with a fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and a TV with cable channels. Guests can take a relaxing bath while enjoying the views of Nagasaki. There is a gift shop on-site. A Japanese breakfast set can be enjoyed in rooms. Drinks can be purchased from the vending machine on-site.
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    • Nagasaki Kagamiya
      Budget-friendly
      Set within 2.8 km of Nagasaki Station and 5.4 km of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, Nagasaki Kagamiya provides rooms in Nagasaki. This 1-star hostel features free WiFi and a garden. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.9 km from Nagasaki Museum of History. Peace Park is 6 km from the hostel, while Oura Catholic Church is 4.3 km away. Nagasaki Airport is 34 km from the property.
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    • Hilton Nagasaki
      Luxury
      Located 400 metres from Nagasaki Station, Hilton Nagasaki offers 5-star accommodation in Nagasaki and features a fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar. Featuring a spa and wellness centre, the hotel is close to several noted attractions, around 500 metres from 26 Martyrs Museum and around less than 1 km from Fukusaiji Temple. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.3 km from Nagasaki Museum of History. At the hotel, every room comes with a desk. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Guests at Hilton Nagasaki can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is 2.5 km from the accommodation, while Peace Park is 3.1 km away. Nagasaki Airport is 39 km from the property.
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    • Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae
      Luxury
      Set within 3 km of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 3.6 km of Peace Park, Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae offers rooms in Nagasaki. With a restaurant, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, every room is equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV. At Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae provides a range of facilities such as a wellness area including a sauna. Speaking English and Japanese, staff are ready to help around the clock at the reception. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Nagasaki Station, Nagasaki Museum of History and Fukusaiji Temple. Nagasaki Airport is 38 km from the property.
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    • i + Land Nagasaki
      Luxury
      Renovated in April 2018, i + Land Nagasaki is 18.5 km or a 40-minute drive from Nagasaki Station. A hot spring bath, sauna, garden and kids area are available for guests. The property provides a 24-hour front desk. An Asian breakfast is served daily at the property. Guests can make use of the sauna. Cycling is among the activities that guests can enjoy near the resort. Nagasaki Museum of History is 11 km from i + Land Nagasaki, while Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is 11 km from the property. Nagasaki Airport is 27 km away.
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    • FAV LUX Nagasaki
      Luxury
      Set 2.1 km from Nagasaki Station, FAV LUX Nagasaki offers 4-star accommodation in Nagasaki and has a restaurant. The property is around 2.6 km from Nagasaki Museum of History, 4.7 km from Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 5.3 km from Peace Park. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. Guest rooms at the hotel come with a seating area. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and free toiletries, all guest rooms at FAV LUX Nagasaki have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms also feature a terrace. At the accommodation the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Guests at FAV LUX Nagasaki can enjoy a continental breakfast. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Oura Catholic Church, Glover Garden and Inorinooka Picture Book Museum. Nagasaki Airport is 38 km from the property.
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    • hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI
      Mid-range
      Hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI features a shared lounge, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Nagasaki. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.3 km from Nagasaki Museum of History. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI each room comes with bed linen and towels. Buffet and American breakfast options are available daily at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near hotel H2 TRIP&BUSINESS NAGASAKI include Nagasaki Station, Oura Catholic Church and Glover Garden. Nagasaki Airport is 38 km away.
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    • ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel
      Budget-friendly
      ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel is located in Nagasaki, within 2.6 km of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and 3.2 km of Peace Park. This 2-star hostel offers a shared kitchen, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 300 metres from Nagasaki Station. All rooms are fitted with a kettle, while some rooms come with a kitchen with a stovetop. At the hostel all rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available at ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Nagasaki Museum of History, 26 Martyrs Museum and Fukusaiji Temple. The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport, 39 km from ROUTE - Cafe and Petit Hostel.
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    • THE GLOBAL VIEW Nagasaki
      Luxury
      Featuring massage services, 3 restaurants and a concierge, THE GLOBAL VIEW Nagasaki is situated right outside Takaramachi Tram Station, which is the 2nd station from Nagasaki Station. WiFi is accessible in all areas of the hotel and rooms include a private bathroom and a flat-screen TV. Guests at THE GLOBAL VIEW Nagasaki stay in contemporary rooms with a fridge and safe with complimentary green and black teas. The private bathroom has a bathtub and toiletries, while pajamas are provided. JR Nagasaki Train Station is an 8-minute walk away. Guests can also take a sight-seeing bus from the front side of this hotel. Nagasaki Peace Park and Urakami Cathedral are 10-minutes away via car, while Nagasaki Airport is a 50-minute ride away on the express bus service. The Kitchen boasts 15th floor views of Nagasaki City and serves a sumptuous Japanese and Western breakfast buffet comprised from over 40 different dishes. Coffee and snacks are served at Cafe de Bijoux. Please note that renovation of Fifth floor is going on from 10:00 to 17:00 daily and some rooms may be affected by noise.
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