What to know
The Otome Toge Maria Chapel (乙女峠マリア聖堂, Otome Tōge Maria Seidō) was built in 1951 to honor Japanese Christians who were relocated to and persecuted in Tsuwano at the start of the Meiji Period (1868-1912). This small, rustic chapel sits in the woods west of Tsuwano Station.
Christianity was banned in Japan for most of the Edo Period (1603-1867), but some believers continued to practice in secret. After the Meiji Restoration (1867), some made their faith public, unaware that the ban remained. These Christians, mostly from Nagasaki, were sent to various parts of Japan to be pressured into renouncing their religion. Tsuwano was one such place, where the Otome Toge Maria Chapel now stands.
When persuasion failed, torture was used, and 36 Christians died. Beside the chapel is a monument with a statue of the Virgin Mary and a man in a cage, depicting the story of one Christian who was locked up and left in the cold but remained steadfast because he reportedly saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary every night.
Maria Seido is a 20-minute walk and gentle hike west of Tsuwano Station.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Always open
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- Free
- English name
- Original name
- Maria Seido Chapel
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