Hirado Island, Trading island in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
Hirado Island is an island off the west coast of Japan with hilly terrain and several historic port settlements. The island stretches about 32 kilometers long and features Mount Yasumandake, its highest peak at approximately 535 meters.
Portuguese merchants settled here in 1550, starting the first contact between Japan and European traders. In the following centuries, Dutch and British merchants also arrived and set up their own trading stations on the island.
The island's name connects to the Matsuura clan, who ruled here for centuries and built their power through maritime trade. Visitors can still walk through the narrow streets of the old harbor quarter where shops, temples, and local restaurants reflect this trading heritage.
The island connects to mainland Kyushu via the 665-meter Hirado Bridge, which has been in place since 1977 and provides easy access. Visitors should plan to arrive by car or public transport to explore the various historical sites spread across the island.
The island holds ruins of four separate European trading factories that coexisted side by side and each reflected their own approach to doing business with Japan. These remains tell the story of competition and mutual influence between Europeans in the same small area.
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