Hirado, Nagasaki

Hirado (平戸市) is a Japanese city in Nagasaki Prefecture.

History
Hirado has been a port since the Nara period.

During the Edo period, Hirado was the seat of the Hirado Domain. The city developed around Hirado Castle (Hirado-jō).

The first Frenchman to arrive in Japan was Francis Caron. He live in Hirado.

Geography
The city is located on the island of the same name; and it has expanded to the island of Kyūshū. The two parts of the city are connected by the Hirado Bridge which was built in 1977.

Other websites

 * Hirado City website;
 * American Friendship Doll at Hirado Kindergarten