Christ's Grave

What to know

About 25 kilometers east of Lake Towada, atop a small wooded hill in remote Shingo Village, lie two earthen mounds that a bizarre local legend claims are the graves of Jesus Christ (キリストの墓, Kirisuto no Haka) and his brother Isukiri. Although widely considered completely fabricated, "ancient religious papers" unearthed in the 1930s describe how Jesus Christ traveled and studied in Japan in his early 20s before returning to Judea. After being arrested by the Romans, Isukiri took his place on the cross, and Jesus fled to Shingo Village, where he lived until he died at the age of 106.

The village views the tale as a sort of religious curiosity and has built a pleasant public park on the site with simple wooden crosses marking the graves. Additionally, a small museum near the graves features bilingual displays that explore some of the strange coincidences contributing to the legend, such as supposedly foreign-looking villagers, odd local dialects, and a unique custom of drawing a cross on a baby's head before their first outing. The museum also introduces similar mystery spots around the world.

Christ's Grave is located in Shingo Village along National Route 454, about a 45-minute drive from the eastern shore of Lake Towada or 45 minutes from Hachinohe. Note that Shingo Village is relatively remote, and a section of the road between Lake Towada and Shingo Village is closed in winter from late November to late April.

It is also possible to reach the grave from Hachinohe by Nambu Bus and a Shingo village bus via Gonohe; however, a rental car is recommended due to infrequent bus connections. There is no public transportation from Lake Towada.