Goto, City archipelago in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
Gotō is an archipelago in Nagasaki Prefecture composed of 63 islands in the East China Sea, including Fukue, Hisaka, and Naru. The island group spreads across a wide maritime area with rocky shores, quiet coves, and rolling hills inland.
During the Muromachi period, the Gotō clans controlled this area and established bases for trade and maritime activity. In the late 16th century, European missionaries arrived on the islands and founded Christian communities that survived in secrecy for centuries.
The islands hold a living Catholic tradition with churches and chapels tracing back to the hidden Christians. Believers today continue local customs and celebrate religious festivals that merge Japanese and Western cultural elements.
Travelers reach the islands by plane through Gotō-Fukue on Fukue or by regular ferry connections from Nagasaki and Sasebo. Ferry times vary depending on weather and season, so checking connections in advance is advisable.
Each year the islands host a triathlon with courses running along coastal roads and through villages. Participants pass historic churches and beaches that otherwise see little tourist traffic.
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