About
平⼾は、ひらかれた⼾＝⾨として、海の向こうからやって来る異国の⼈々を迎え⼊れてきました。⻑崎の北⻄部にあるこの⼩さな城下町は、⼤陸と島国の⽂化がいち早く出会う場所として数奇な運命を辿ります。
⽇本の伝統的な寺院や茶室のすぐそばにオランダの商館や洋菓⼦店、カトリックの教会が建ち並び、他では⾒られない珍しい景観が、平⼾の歴史を今に伝えてくれます。
まちの外には、鯨やアゴ（⾶⿂）が泳ぐ海が広がり、世界遺産にも選ばれた美しい棚⽥とかくれキリシタンの⾥、⻄の最果てから⼤海原と⼣陽を望む海岸線、潮⾵がゆたかなミネラルをはこぶ草原で育った平⼾⽜など、おおらかな⾃然のなかで育まれてきた⾵⼟が、今も息づいています。
そんな平⼾を⽣涯にわたって愛し、⽂化の礎を築いた⼀⼈、松浦熈（ひろむ）公。平⼾藩１０代⽬藩主として財政を救う⼀⽅で、能楽に⻑じ、随筆を書き綴り、町⺠のために西洋菓⼦の図鑑“百菓之図”を編み上げるなど、⽂化⼈としての⼀⾯を⾊濃く持っていました。
熈暇-Kikka-は、松浦熈が作庭にかかわった梅ヶ谷津偕楽園のとなりに生まれた五部屋だけの小さなホテルです。 かつて、交易の要衝として、西洋の文化とともに多くの人々を迎えてきた平戸の海。 客室やレストラン、サウナから海に向かってしつらえられた額のような窓を通して、その海が映し出す景色を眺め、平戸が繋いできた歴史や文化、自然、食にふれながら、ゆっくり心と感性をひらき、余暇の楽しみを広げていただけたら幸いです。
The name Hirado (平戸) includes “戸,” meaning “gate,” symbolizing the city as a gateway that has welcomed people and cultures from around the world.
In the 17th century, this humble castle town in northern Nagasaki Prefecture became the first point of contact between Japan and Western countries.
Today, Hirado Dutch Trading Post, Western Confectionery Shops, and Catholic Churches coexist with traditional Japanese temples and tea houses, creating a unique landscape that reflects Hirado’s rich history.
The area, surrounded by ocean waters where whales and fish gather, once served as a refuge for hidden Christians and is now recognized as a World Heritage Site for its beautiful terraced fields. The breathtaking coastline, with sunsets stretching across the Pacific, leaves a lasting impression.
Hirado is also known for its beef cattle, which graze on mineral-rich grasses carried by the sea breeze. The culture of Hirado, deeply rooted in its natural surroundings, thrives to this day.
Hiromu Matsura, the tenth-generation lord of Hirado, played a significant role in shaping the town’s culture. He revitalized the city’s finances, became an accomplished Noh playwright and essayist, and even created the “Encyclopedia of 100 Sweets,” an illustrated book of Western confections for the townspeople.
Kikka Hirado is a boutique hotel with just five rooms, situated next to Umegayatsu Kairakuen Garden, which Matsura helped design. The guest rooms, restaurant, and sauna all offer stunning ocean views, reflecting Hirado’s distinctive history, culture, nature, and cuisine. Here, you can let the stress of daily life melt away as you relax in this serene and expansive setting.
Hiromu Matsura, the tenth-generation ruler, the Hanshu of Hirado, laid the foundation of its culture. He saved the finances of the city, while becoming an accomplished Noh theater playwright and essayist, and to top it off, he compiled "Encyclopedia of 100 Sweets", an illustrated book of Western Confections for the benefit of the townspeople.
Kikka Hirado is an independent hotel with only five rooms located next to Umegayatsu Kairakuen Garden, which Matsura was also involved in the creation of. The beautiful ocean-view framed by the windows of the guest rooms, restaurant, and sauna, awash in echoes the unique history, culture, nature, and cuisine of Hirado. Allow the stress of daily life to melt away as you sit back and enjoy this soothing and expansive setting.