Ojika

It is Ojika-cho, a population of 2,500 people floating on the northern tip of Goto Islands in Nagasaki prefecture. It consists of 17 large and small islands including Nozaki Island which became uninhabited now, around Ojikajima where gentle terrain and sea with shoals spread, the entire island is designated as Saikai National Park. The site of Nozakijima village where Christianity banned during the Edo era had been continued in secret has just been registered as a World Heritage “Crypto-Christians related heritage in Nagasaki and Amakusa region”.

Seafood such as sea urchin, abalone and turban shell including pole-and-line fishing of adult yellowtail, Isaki and Hiramasa, has been bringing much grace to Ojika since ancient times. Also, calves bred at this place are shipped nationwide and are sold as high quality brand beef.
On the island tour “kominka stay”, we propose a fancy and comfortable island time by renting a whole renovated old private house based on the concept of “staying as if living there”. Meanwhile, the various movements have been occurring, such as new life is breathed into an old private house built with “traditional construction method” remains in this place, and those who moved from outside the prefecture work hard toward the opening of the inn on the theme of “harmony with the nature”.
It was in 2009 that they joined the “most beautiful village in Japan” union. The certified regional resources are “Nozakijima and Old Nokubi Church” located in the eastern part of the island and “Landscape and History of Saikai National Park”. While it is the smallest municipality in Nagasaki, the number of people moved from other place accounts for about 150 people and 6% of the population, and they have actively appointed talented people outside the prefecture, such as adopting Community-Reactivating Cooperator Squad early.
It takes about 30 minutes by boat to Nozakijima which is another charm of Ojika. In the days when the ban policy had been laid down and there was severe crackdown, Crypto-Christians secretly continued their faith. The old Nokubi Church of the brick building which built on a small hill in the center of the island, is located on the “Nokubi settlement” especially deep in faith, and it is the product of “tears” and “sweat” completed in 1908 by the design of Yosuke Tetsukawa who was master craftsman of church building, with the expenses which only 17 household of believers cut down on meals and raised. “Liberation” and “joy” from repression. Beyond time the quiet prayers of people still live This place has just been registered as a World Heritage.

Interviewed in May, 2018