OUR SECOND DAY KYUSHU

06.01.2025

We had no set plans for today so we looked at google maps, decided to take a trip to Hirado, as it seems there are some beautiful beaches. Hirado is an island in northwestern Nagasaki Prefecture.

From the hotel window we could see mountains were covered by thick fog, creating a mystical atmosphere. It looked pretty but perhaps not the best day for visiting the beaches as we had planned. Today’s weather forecast was for rain and clouded skies, and from our view from the hotel window they have got it pretty much spot on …. unfortunately! After a light breakfast, we set off on our adventure.

As we drove along those mountain roads, we could see the fog was descending and creating beautiful scenery. So we stopped near a fishing village and decided to take a walk and get some photos for the blog. As we walked the sun started shining through the clouds and it was just so beautiful. We had fun taking the photos and hope our readers will enjoy them also. We will probably put more pictures on this blog than any previous days as the scenery was so beautiful.

We also managed to take photos of hawks. You will be surprised to see so many hawks in urban areas of Japan, and how they thrive in suburban environments. Many species of hawks, such as the Japanese sparrowhawk and the kestrel, have adapted to city life, using tall buildings and power lines as perches. How fascinating.
Hirado is renowned for its seafood. Just before crossing the bridge to the island, we made a quick stop and found a wide variety of fresh seafood, all caught this morning. It was definitely more affordable than what you’d find at the supermarket. Since we couldn’t keep it cool, we simply took photos instead of buying it. We both would have loved to take some back to Youko and Yoshi.

As we drove through the mountains, we spotted a church on the top of a hill. We stopped and learned that Hirado was a key port for ships traveling between the Asian mainland and Japan since the 700s. Portuguese ships first arrived in Hirado’s natural harbor in 1549, with St. Francis Xavier visiting in 1550. In the 1580s, the Portuguese established a trading station, followed by the Dutch and then the British.

Western traders brought Christian missionaries, and the religion gained a foothold in Hirado and Nagasaki Prefecture. However, as Christianity spread throughout the region, the Tokugawa Shogunate expelled the missionaries and banned the Christian religion for over two centuries. Some Christians in Hirado continued their faith in secret and were executed for doing so, until the ban was lifted during the Meiji Period.
The rain was getting heavier, but we trusted the weather forecast, which said it would clear up in 15 minutes, so we pressed on toward the beach. Check out the video we took while driving there, followed by a photo of the beach. We were relieved that the forecast was spot on this time.

When we arrived at Neshikono-hama beach, we could see why it is rated in the top fifty beaches in Japan. It looked more like a beach you would find in Okinawa. Beautiful golden sand, lush green vegetation surrounding the beach and it was in a sheltered cove surrounded by a steep rocky boundary. Because it is so sheltered it is unlikely to get big swells. It looked like a very safe swimming beach for the whole family.
The only downside for this beach is the amount of litter that gets washed right up to the tideline and is quite unsightly. The majority of the litter is marine related, with buoys, ropes. Netting, polystyrene and fishing lines. View the photos and video and you will see what I mean. I’m sure they will have a major cleanup during Spring, to have the beach ready for the holiday season, otherwise it would never have made the cut for the top 50 beaches.
We enjoyed the drive and now checked in at Ryokan. We are staying in a Japanese style room with Onsen. We will write more about this tomorrow.