Spain is full of surprises, and here’s one about a Samurai in Seville.
In a small town near Seville, about 700 locals share the surname “Japón,” which means “Japan” in Spanish.
The town is called Coria del Río, and its unusual connection to Japan goes back over 400 years. In the early 1600s, a Japanese samurai named Hasekura Tsunenaga arrived in Spain as part of a diplomatic mission. He had been sent by a Japanese lord, Date Masamune, to build trade and political ties with Europe.
Hasekura’s journey was long and difficult. He crossed the Pacific Ocean to Mexico, then travelled overland and finally sailed to Spain. When he reached Coria del Río in 1614, he and his delegation were welcomed and spent some time there before continuing on to meet King Philip III in Madrid.
What makes this story special is what happened next. While many in Hasekura’s group returned to Japan, a few decided to stay in Spain, possibly because of changing political and religious pressures back home. Some of them settled in Coria del Río, married local women, and started families.
Over time, the name “Hasekura de Japón” (Hasekura from Japan) was shortened to just “Japón.” That’s how the surname was born. It’s rare in Spain, in fact, almost everyone with the surname “Japón” today can trace their roots back to this one town.
Many locals in Coria del Río still feel proud of their Japanese heritage. Some even have physical features that suggest Asian ancestry. The connection hasn’t been forgotten, and in recent decades, the story has attracted attention from both Spain and Japan.
In 1992, Japanese Prince Akishino visited the town to honour the shared history. There’s now a statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga by the river, a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
So, if you ever find yourself near Seville, Coria del Río is worth a visit, not just for its lovely river views and good food, but also for its unique place in the history of Spain and Japan. Where else in Europe will you find hundreds of people called “Japan”?
