Tsurushima: Island of History and Reflection

Tsurushima, a small island off the coast of Hinase, carries a weighty history within its peaceful shores. During the early Meiji period, in 1870, this island became a place of exile for 117 Christians from Nagasaki as part of the Urakami Yoban Kuzure. These individuals were forced into labor and pressured to renounce their faith; a tragic chapter that saw 18 perish, 17 as martyrs, before religious freedom was granted in 1873.Today, Tsurushima is uninhabited, with abandoned buildings hinting at more recent attempts at habitation, including a guesthouse that operated until 1990. Yet, the island's past as a penal colony remains its defining characteristic. Visitors can find the weathered headstones marking the graves of those who died, along with a stone memorial and cross erected by the local Catholic church. The island also features a well dating back to the penal colony era, still in working order.While the island offers a serene landscape with rocky outcrops and narrow sandy beaches, its true draw lies in its historical significance. Tsurushima serves as a place for reflection on religious persecution and the resilience of faith. The island is now designated as a cultural heritage site by Bizen City, with an annual pilgrimage retracing the internees' route.