Introduction to Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan

Hirado City - An Introduction

The city of Hirado is located on the north western tip of Kyushu, the southernmost of the four main islands of Japan. Hirado City consists of populated islands (Hirado, Ikitsuki, Oshima, Takushima, and Takashima islands), numerous unpopulated islands with in its vicinity, and the town of Tabira. Part of Nagasaki Prefecture, Hirado and Ikitsuki islands are connected to the main island of Kyushu by bridges.

The City Emblem

This emblem was designed using the initial hiragana ひ (hi) of the city’s name (as in Hirado). Using the themes “A new voyage towards the era of overseas exchange” and “Developing Hirado as a city bustling with activity in which people live harmoniously with the sea, the islands and the mainland”, the city emblem has evolved into a vibrant symbol that represents our city and its community looking towards a bright future.

History and Nature

Hirado has a long history of interaction with foreign countries. From the Sengoku Period (the Warring States Era from 1467 to 1600) to the beginning of the Edo Period (1603-1867), the city blossomed through trade with the Netherlands and other European countries and was known as `Firando` by the Western visitors. It flourished to become a wealthy trading port that was even called `Firando, Capital of the West`. A cultural crossroad, Hirado still has many historical sites from that period of time.

The city is surrounded by the bountiful sea and is blessed with a rich natural environment. Its main industries are fishing and agriculture and it’s also widely known as a tourist destination with over 1.5 million visitors a year, partially because it is the northern entrance to the Saikai National Park.

Looking towards the future

Hirado has an abundance of tourist attractions and is still continuing to identify potential developments for tourism in the future. For example, Hirado has reassessed the value of its historical buildings and is working together with its citizens on ways to conserve the historical aspects of its streetscape. In addition, the city is constantly looking for new ideas to develop its fishing and agricultural industry in a way that will contribute to the uniqueness of Hirado.
By continuing to find new ways to develop our city, Hirado is taking an important step into the future.