Christian Cave Bethel

This place of worship, a 15-minute walk from JR Bungo-Taketa Station, is one of only a few of its kind in the world and is carved out of tuff rock behind the samurai residences of Tono-machi. Consisting of a domed altar area inside, the bethel has five carved windows and a carved roof; it is believed there was a worship space in the front and an adjoining space where the priest lived in secret. It is said that there were many Christian believers in Taketa and Kusami due to the influence of fervent Christian Shiga Chikatsugu, who was lord of Oka Castle at the end of the Warring States period. After Christianity was prohibited in the country, this cave was used by Christians to worship in secret.