Located in Shimo-Kurosaki Town, Nagasaki City, Karematsu Shrine stands as one of Japan's rare Christian shrines. Known affectionately by locals as "Karematsu-san," it tells a remarkable story of faith and resilience.

Preserving Faith Under Persecution In 1614, when the Tokugawa shogunate banned Christianity and intensified persecution of believers, the faithful in the Sotome region refused to abandon their beliefs. The Christians of Kurosaki area secretly gathered at Mount Karematsu's summit, where they recited their prayers—known as "Orasho"—away from prying eyes, keeping their faith alive through these clandestine meetings.

The Legacy of Father San Juan During the prohibition period, Father San Juan, mentor to Japanese missionary Bastian, found refuge in a cave on Mount Karematsu, continuing his missionary work in secret. After his death, he was laid to rest at what would become the shrine's location. When the Meiji era dawned, believers constructed a shrine over his grave, ingeniously masking their Christian worship behind Shinto practices. Such Christian shrines are extraordinarily rare in Japan, with only a few other examples existing, such as Kuwa-hime Daimyojin at Fuchi Shrine in Nagasaki and Otaane Daimyojin on Tokyo's Izu Oshima Island.

Sacred Grounds of Prayer The shrine's "Prayer Rock," a commanding presence before the main building, holds profound historical significance. During the prohibition era, believers would gather here annually on the night of "Sorrow Week" before Easter. Despite bitter cold, they would recite their Orasho prayers, maintaining their forbidden faith. The surrounding area also features Christian graves marked by distinctive flat stones—silent witnesses to generations of unwavering devotion.

A Living Heritage Since 2000, the Karematsu Shrine Festival has honored both Father San Juan and the ancestors who preserved their faith against tremendous odds. The festival features the traditional recitation of Orasho, bringing together locals and visitors in a celebration that ensures this remarkable heritage continues to thrive. This gathering serves not just as a memorial but as a bridge between past and present, keeping alive the memory of those who protected their faith through centuries of persecution.