Unfortunately, I did not have the time to actually visit the Dutch Trading House in Hirado, but with the benefit of a zoom lens I got close enough to photograph it from across the quay...and from the top of Hirado Castle. Close enough, I think?!
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| Hirado Dutch Trading House |
A very historical building (although destroyed by command of Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1640... rebuilt 2011), as it is recognised as one of, if not THE, first western buildings built in Japan (1609), as a base of operations for the Dutch East India Company.
Not many people know where Hirado is these days, but way back in the early 1600s was one of the most sought after trading destinations from Europe & China...it's possible just as hard to get to now as it was then, though the newish Hirado Bridge has undoubtfully eased travel from mainland Kyushu & Japan's most western train station (more from there in another postcard!).
