Shingō, Aomori

Sign explaining legend of grave of Christ

Shingō (新郷村; -mura) is a village located in Sannohe District, Aomori, Japan.

As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 3,201 and a density of 21.22 persons per km². The total area is 150.85 km².

The town claims to be the last resting-place of Jesus, buried in the Tomb of Jesus. According to the local lore, Jesus did not die on the cross at Golgotha, but instead fled across Siberia, Alaska, and finally to Shingo, Japan, where he married and raised a family. While no evidence exists to prove this claim, the town that calls itself Home of Christ (キリストの里, Kirisuto no Sato) is certainly home to some creative entrepreneurs doing a brisk business selling memorabilia and Jesus souvenirs to the large number of tourists. Another tomb in the same town also supposedly contains an ear of the brother of Jesus and a lock of hair from the Virgin Mary. The claims started in 1933 after the discovery of an obscure document that was supposedly the testament of Jesus. These documents unsurprisingly turned out to be a forgery, and even in Shingo itself few people truly believe the legend.

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