Hirado, Japan

Hirado is a city on an island about an hour north of Sasebo.

While walking around the town shrine and monastery, a woman approached us and asked if we wanted some tea. She brought us to a little open-air pagoda behind the shrine in the woods. It was made completely by tying the wood together and with glue- no nails. She served us a very strong, hand-milled green tea with a little sticky cake. The wall behind us is normally closed and one has to crawl through the little hole to the women's left to enter. This is an ancient tradition started because the warriors could not get through the hole with their swords on their belt or on their backs. This ensured no weapons were brought in and signified this as a place of worship and respect.

On the top of the castle overlooking the bay and Hirado bridge in the background.



Hirado Castle from across the bay by the city shrine.