Japanese villages contain secrets about Jesus

From the road towards Lake Towada and then continuing through Shingo village of Aomori Prefecture, visitors can see a small blue sign with the words “Tomb of Jesus”.

According to local legend, Jesus went to Shingo instead of being crucified, lived as a farmer, married, had three children and died at the age of 106. A mound on the hillside is said to be the burial place of Jesus, while the adjacent mound is said to be the resting place of his brother Isukiri (who replaced the crucified Jesus).

This story does not appear in the Bible and is not recognized by the Catholic Church. The origin of the legend is said to be related to the Takenouchi Documents, a set of mysterious manuscripts claimed to have been discovered by Kiyomaro Takenouchi, a religious leader, in the 1930s. The documents were later rejected by researchers as untrue.

However, in Shingo, the story has been preserved as a part of local tradition for decades.

The center of the legend is Christ Park, where two mounds are surrounded by white fences, above which large wooden crosses are erected. Next door is the Jesus Village Traditional Museum, displaying a copy of the Takenouchi Document and related artifacts, the original of which is believed to have been destroyed during World War II.

Normally, the museum only welcomes a small number of visitors each day and is closed during the winter. But in early summer, the parking lot is full from 9:30 a.m., when hordes of tourists flock to Shingo to attend the Kirisuto Matsuri, or Jesus Festival.

Held on the first Sunday of June since the 1960s, the festival is both religious and a community day for local people.

In front of the shrine near the burial mounds, a Shinto priest recites prayers and offers sacred tamagushi branches. Local artists perform the shishimai lion dance to traditional music.

Next, women wearing kimonos perform the Nanyadoyara folk dance around the burial mounds. Visitors are also invited to participate, forming a circle in front of the museum.

About 1,000 people attended this year’s festival, equivalent to half of Shingo’s population. After the ceremony, visitors continue to enjoy ramen and dishes served by local vendors.

According to Mayor Kazutomo Sato, 57 years old, the number of visitors this year increased compared to last year. However, most do not come to Shingo to find answers about whether Jesus is really buried here or not.

“Jesus’ tomb has been here for a long time, so long that no one can remember when,” said Koshi Nagano, 26, a local resident.

Even Kadogishi advises visitors to consider this story as a legend.

Antonio Fernández, a Spanish tourist, said what attracted him was the joyful atmosphere of the festival. Paulina Kralka, a Polish tourist, also said that instead of debating right and wrong, people can enjoy the event and experience local culture.

Mayor Sato said that tourists do not necessarily come to Aomori just because the tomb is said to be that of Jesus. Shingo can be a stop on your journey to explore the northern region of Japan. From here, visitors can combine visits to Oirase canyon, Lake Towada and the port city of Hachinohe.

Like many other rural areas in Japan, Shingo is facing population decline. For Mayor Sato, the priority now is to maintain a community where people can live healthy, fulfilling lives and want to continue to stay engaged.

He still hopes the story of the mysterious tomb will bring more tourists to the village.

“For anyone looking for an unusual experience in a village full of mysteries, I would love for everyone to come here and enjoy it all,” he said.