Kawachi Port

Hirado is located in the northwest of Nagasaki Prefecture and marks the westernmost point on Japan's mainland roads, excluding remote islands. It is said to have once been a port of call for Japanese envoys to Tang-dynasty China, making it an important transportation hub for international exchange since ancient times. In 1550, the first Portuguese ship arrived in port, followed by the establishment of a Dutch trading post in 1609 and a British trading post in 1613. However, international exchange came to a halt due to the subsequent policy of national isolation. During the isolation period, Hirado flourished as a castle town, and even today it retains buildings and historic sites that speak to its rich history, while its diverse natural environment, including sandy beaches and rocky shores, is also one of its many charms.