Journeys in Japan

Goto Islands, Nagasaki (2x2)

Udgivelsesdato: Jan 18, 2011

In this edition of "journeys in japan," we visit the Goto Islands, in the East China Sea off the west coast of Kyushu, southwest of Japan. Our reporter, American actress Haruka Orth, travels to Fukuejima, the largest of the Goto islands, to meet the people there and find out about the way they live. Minpaku On Fukuejima, a home-stay accommodation system was set up in 2009. Known as the minpaku system, visitors can stay at the homes of local families for a fee of about 6,000 yen per night. It's a chance for visitors to spend time with the host families, eating dinner with them and experiencing the way they live. For an extra charge (2,000 yen), guests can also get hands-on experience of the local people's work, such as fishing and farming. Churches Along the coast of Fukuejima, there are 14 Catholic churches. Such a concentration is unusual anywhere in Japan, and dates from the time when Christians found refuge from persecution on the island during the feudal period. Various churches are introduced, including the white Mizunoura Church; the stately brick Douai Church; and Kaizu Church, with its beautiful stained glass windows. Visitors are free to look around the churches during regular opening hours. Camellia oil head spa Camellia trees can be found growing all over the island and their oil is one of the specialties of Fukuejima. A salon called Monte Cange offers a head and facial massages using the camellia seed oil. It is located inside the Shirayuri beauty salon, in the main shopping area of Fukue. Bebencobicci Orchestra Young musicians on Fukuejima have formed a band, singing songs about their local area, using their own distinct dialect. Videos of their performances have been posted on YouTube: just run a search for "bebencobicci".