Sign Post in Japan Reads: "Tomb of Christ: Next Left"

Just today I was skimming through BBC, as I usually do, and something rather interesting caught my eye. BBC Correspondent Duncan Bartlett is currently in Japan researching a local legend in Northern Japan that claims that Jesus of Nazareth did not actually die on Golgatha by crucifixion. According to this legend, he was replaced during the execution by one of his brothers and he escaped East, finally coming to rest in this small village.

Resting in the high countryside of Northern Japan, nestled in a small apple orchard resides what is known as Kristo no Hakka, the Grave of Christ. Apparently after fleeing Jerusalem, he escaped across Russia and Siberia and came to rest in Shingo. Here he married, had several children and died at the ripe old age of 114; a rice farmer til the end. Christians completely disregard the legend, and the grave now stands as a tourist attraction that draws in thousands every year.