Statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga Monument

Address: Coria del Río (riverfront square), Province of Seville, Andalusia, Spain

The statue in Coria del Río commemorates the Japanese samurai-diplomat Hasekura Tsunenaga and his early 17th-century diplomatic mission to Spain and Europe. It marks the town’s historical connection to that embassy and to early contacts between Japan and Spain.

The monument stands on or near the town’s riverside area by the Guadalquivir and is a common stop for visitors interested in the obscure chapter of early modern intercultural contact between Japan and Spain. It serves as a focal point for local heritage tied to the embassy and its legacy.

The statue honours the 17th-century embassy led by Hasekura and the subsequent historical associations; local memory of the mission is preserved in civic commemorations and place names.

Coria del Río is on the west bank of the Guadalquivir River in Andalusia, roughly 10 km south of the city of Seville.

• Local connection: Some families in the town carry the surname ‘Japón’ and local tradition links them to members of Hasekura’s delegation centuries ago.

Coria del Río is a short drive or bus ride south of Seville. From Seville’s Santa Justa station, regional buses run regularly; driving along the A-8057/A-4 from Seville takes about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. The statue sits near the riverfront promenade and is easy to find on foot from the town center.

• If visiting Coria del Río, ask locals about the annual commemorations-the town keeps a distinct memory of Hasekura Tsunenaga's mission to Spain.
• The statue is in a public square-arrive early to avoid the town's afternoon quiet and get better light for photographs.
• Combine the visit with the riverfront promenade; Coria del Río's relationship with Seville and the Guadalquivir adds helpful historical context.