Hirado Xavier Memorial Church & Temple Next Door

Hirado Xavier Memorial Church (1931) stands on the exact spot where Francis Xavier preached in 1550 during his first mission to Japan. The green-roofed Gothic church is striking for its location: directly adjacent to Kōmyōji Temple, separated by a narrow lane. This unique juxtaposition — Catholic church and Buddhist temple as neighbors — symbolizes Hirado's historical tolerance before the Christian ban.

The church interior contains a bronze statue of Xavier and stained glass depicting his arrival in Hirado. The temple next door, established in 1261, predates Xavier by 300 years and maintains its regular religious functions, creating a daily coexistence of two faiths in a 10-meter space.