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鹿児島県
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Xavier Landing Monument
鹿児島県
Where Christianity first arrived in Japan, in 1549
Founded
1549
Type
Historic Site
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Access
10 min walk from Kagoshima City Tram Suizokukanguchi
Gionnosu-cho, Kagoshima, Kagoshima
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Info
Historic Site
Founded 1549
477 years
Overview
On August 15, 1549, the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier landed here, having come via Bounotsu, and became the first to bring Christianity to Japan. Comprising a ceramic-tile relief and a bronze sculpture, the monument stands in Gionnoshu Park facing Kinko Bay, marking the historic starting point of Christianity in Japan.
Origins
On August 15, 1549, Francis Xavier, guided by the Japanese Christian Yajiro, landed in Satsuma with his companions and reached Kagoshima near present-day Gionnoshu; the date coincided with the Catholic feast of the Assumption. In September he was granted an audience with the Satsuma lord Shimazu Tak…
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Related Figures
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Francis Xavier
Apostle Who Brought Christianity to Japan
Age 43 at founding
›
On August 15, 1549, Francis Xavier landed in Satsuma guided by Yajiro, a Japanese convert from Kagoshima. He began the first Christian mission in Japan, obtaining permission from the Satsuma lord Shimazu Takahisa. However, opposition from Buddhist clergy led Xavier to leave Kagoshima after about a year. This landing marked the origin of Christianity in Japan.
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