Hirado Xavier Memorial Church & Temple Next Door

Published: Jun 1, 2026

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Xavier churchChristian-Buddhist coexistenceFrancis XavierHiradoreligious history

Hirado Xavier Memorial Church & Temple Next Door

Hirado Xavier Memorial Church (1931) stands on the exact spot where Francis Xavier preached in 1550 during his first mission to Japan. The green-roofed Gothic church is striking for its location: directly adjacent to Kōmyōji Temple, separated by a narrow lane. This unique juxtaposition — Catholic church and Buddhist temple as neighbors — symbolizes Hirado's historical tolerance before the Christian ban.

The church interior contains a bronze statue of Xavier and stained glass depicting his arrival in Hirado. The temple next door, established in 1261, predates Xavier by 300 years and maintains its regular religious functions, creating a daily coexistence of two faiths in a 10-meter space.

Opening Hours

Church: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Temple grounds: dawn to dusk

Closed: Open year-round

Entrance Fee

Church: free | Temple: free

Best Season

Year-round | Morning (8:00–10:00 AM) for even light on both facades | Combine with Hirado Castle and Dutch Trading Post for a full Hirado day

Visit Duration

30–45 minutes (church + temple + hillside Kannon walk)

Getting There

Access Information

1274 Okuchimachi, Hirado City. 15-minute walk uphill from Hirado Port. Church open 9:00–17:00, free. Temple grounds: free access dawn to dusk.

Insider Guide

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**Historical irony:** Kōmyōji Temple's monks initially sheltered Xavier and allowed him to preach from their grounds — a tolerance that ended violently 60 years later during the Tokugawa persecution.