The Hirado Island port was the primary departure point for the
Japanese missions to Sui China and
Japanese missions to Tang China in 7th-9th centuries. 16 October 1274, the Hirado Island was invaded by the detachment of the Mongol army as the part of
Mongol invasions of Japan. During the 2nd invasion of 1281, the island was an important rear base for the Mongols until being abandoned after the invasion failed. Since
Muromachi period in 14th century, the island had become the hub for the
Wokou pirates. In the development of the
Nanban trade with Europe, the Portuguese trade station was operational on the island in 1550-1561 period. In 1584, the Spanish, British and Dutch traders started visiting the island once again. The
Hirado Domain was established and
Hirado Castle built under leadership of the Matsuura clan in 1599. The castle was razed in 1613 and re-built in 1704. In 1609–1641, a Dutch trading post was established on Hirado Island before being transferred to
Dejima. From 1613, the ships of
William Adams started operating from Hirado Island too, but the British trade mission was closed in 1623. In 2005, the city merged with the neighboring towns of
Tabira,
Ikitsuki, forming
Hirado city, compromising all of Hirado Island as well as part of Kyushu. ==Transportation==