Amakusa Islands to Shin Omuta

Off the west coast of Kyushu lies the Amakusa archipelago, formed of around 12 islands. Michael first takes a bullet train to the coast then a ferry to the islands, where he is greeted by a group of island women performing the colourful, traditional haiya dance originally sung to fishermen.

Michael travels to Sakitsu, a tranquil town where Portuguese missionaries brought Christianity to Japan in the 16th century. After the religion was banned during the the Edo period, worshippers hid from the authorities and became known as 'hidden Christians'.

Returning to the mainland of Kyushu, Michael takes a regional train up to Kumamoto, where he encounters one of Japan’s most beloved mascots and dives into the story of one of Japan’s most revered historical figures, Saigo Takamori.

Finally, in Shin Omuta, Michael meets Mr Matsunaga, a master swordsmith whose craft hasn’t changed for centuries.