5 Spots You Shouldn't Miss In Nagasaki
Nagasaki Confucian Shrine and Historical Museum of China is said to be the most spectacular. It began as a place to enshrine the belongings of Confucius, the founder of Confucianism.
NAGASAKI PEACE PARK
Built to commemorate the atomic bombings of Nagasaki City on August 9, 1945, Nagasaki peace Park reminds us of the horrosr of war, while expressing hope for peace.
The complex has two parks and a museum tribute o the lost souls in the blast.
In the center of the complex is the Hypocenter park with a simple, black monolith that marks the explosion’s epicenter. On the hill above the Hypocenter park stands the sobering Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum with the mission to inform future generations about the horrors of war. The hall is located mainly underground and its design involves water and light.
The park’s dominant feature is the iconic 9.7 meter tall Peace Statue which depicts a seated blue man with his arms raised in the air. His right hand points to the sky, symbolizing the threat of nuclear warfare, while his left stretches out horizontally, palm down, signifying a desire for peace.
The figures that surround the monument are two children, a boy and a girl, representing both the tens of thousands of children who, like Sadako, died because of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima as well as the children around the world who desire peace.
Head to the opposite end of the park to see the Fountain of Peace. The fountain memorializes the many victims who could be heard desperately crying out for water before succumbing to their wounds. Water spouts from the fountain to resemble a dove flapping its wings. In front of the fountain sits a black plaque with the words of survivor Sachiko Yamaguchi describing her despairing thirst.
Between the statue and fountain, you’ll pass various sculptures and monuments gifted to Nagasaki from sister cities and countries around the world. These artworks not only illustrate international friendship and solidarity but are also meant to reinforce the hope for a better future and the desire to rid the world of atomic weapons.
For after the park, the beautiful Urakami Cathedral is close by and you can also walk to Sanno shrine, famous for its one-legged torii gate that miraculously survived the atomic blast.
The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is a remembrance to the atomic bombing of Nagasaki by the United States on 9 August 1945 at 11:02:35 am.
NAGASAKI ATOMIC BOMB MUSEUM - This museum is one of the most popular tourist attraction in the region. It is an informative yet sobering look at the impact of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. It is located at the epicenter of the bomb blast and can be easily combined with a visit to the Nagasaki Peace Park.
Upon entering the museum, you can see the mangled water tower that was just 800 meters from the bombs hypocenter. The structure is just one of the many showing the horrors the atomic bombs wreaked at the city. The museum's exhibits are there to make sure we do not forget what dropping an atomic bomb means and also as a remembrance for the victims and survivors.
Many of the materials are graphic and provocative and are first hand account from the bomb’s survivors. It is necessary though to achieve its aim of contributing to the abolition of weapons and realizing world peace.
THINGS TO KNOW Atomic Bomb Museum
HOURS : 8:30 to 18:30 (until 17:30 from September to April)
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
CLOSE : December 29 to 31
ADMISSION : 200 yen
HOW TO GET THERE
ADDRESS Matsuyamachi, Nagasaki , Nagasaki Prefecture 852- 8118 , Japan
BY TRAIN
Trams connect the park with Nagasaki Station. City trams run from Nagasakiekimae station. You can take the Nagasaki Denki number 1 and 3 trams towards Akasako. It’s about 15 minutes to the stop, Matsuyamachi, from where it’s another 5 minutes on foot to the park.
Nagasaki Shinchi Chūkagai) is the oldest Chinatown in Japan and also one of the largest.
CHINATOWN - in Nagasaki is the second biggest one in Japan after the Chinatown in Yokohama. About 40 shops and restaurants are in the area. There are four entrances and each entrance has a Chinese-style gate. During Chinese New Year, they hold the Lantern Festival, during which the streets are beautifully decorated with lanterns. If you have a chance to go there, don’t forget the local delicacy “champon”, which is a unique noodle dish.
Higashiyamate is a group of seven Western-style houses built on a steeply sloped, narrow staircase-like site up Dutch Hill, built into two levels, one above the other.
HIGASHIYAMATE WESTERN HOUSES - is one of the popular tourist spots in Nagasaki City. There are 7 western style houses that are constructed in the middle of 19th century. They are registered as the preserved scenery with traditional houses. These houses have beautiful green and white color walls with stone walls. These houses are very unique because they are the first western style building ever built in Japan after Samurai period and very rare to preserved in the great conditions.
Admission: 200 yen for adult and 100 yen for kids.
Time: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed on Monday.
Access
0. at Nagasaki Station.
1. use the Street Train No.1 to Tsukimachi.
2. change the train to No.5 to Ishibashi Station.
3. walk west.
GLOVER GARDEN - is situated on the southern slope of a mountain, ensuring that the garden's flowers can be enjoyed in full bloom throughout the year. It is located on the Minamiyamate hillside overlooking Nagasaki harbor. It was built by Hidenoshin Koyama of Amakusa island and completed in 1863.
The garden is named after Thomas Blake Glover, a Scottish merchant who played a crucial role in Japan's industrial development. The site represents the era when Nagasaki served as a gateway for Western influence and technology to enter Japan after centuries of isolation. The main attraction of the garden is the Former Glover House, the oldest wooden Western-style building in Japan. He later assisted some of the revolutionaries who would eventually overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate in the Meiji Restoration. Active in various industries, including shipbuilding and mining, Glover features prominently in the early history of Japan's industrialization. In addition to the historic buildings, the garden offers nice views of the city and the harbor, including some of Nagasaki's important industrial sites. There are also a cafe and shop.
GETTING THERE
Glover Garden is a five minute walk from Ouratenshudo tram stop along tram line number 5. The entrance is just next to the Oura Catholic Church.
HOURS AND FEES
8:00 to 18:00 (until 20:30 or 21:30 in summer and during peak seasons)
Admission ends 20 minutes before closing.
Admission
620 yen
Built in 1893, this is the only Confucian mausoleum constructed by the Chinese outside China.
NAGASAKI CONFUCIUS SHRINE - is one of only a few shrines dedicated to the Chinese philosopher Confucius in Japan. The shrine was built in 1893 by Nagasaki's Chinese community. The colorful shrine also contains a museum at the rear of the grounds.
A small garden with a bridge and pond greets visitors at the entrance. The ornate Chinese-style buildings are adorned with yellow roofs. Flanking the shrine's courtyard stand the 72 sages, life-size stone statues that weigh around two tons each and depict Confucius' disciples. The shrine encourages visitors to find among the statues one that resembles a relative.
In the center of the complex stands the main hall which dates back to the time of the shrine's construction. It serves as a fine example of Chinese architectural techniques and houses a seated statue of Confucius.
At the rear of the complex is the Historical Museum of China, which was built in 1983 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the shrine's founding and intends to promote friendship between Japan and China. The museum itself contains a range of artifacts from China, including pottery, sculptures and other works of art. The third floor displays artwork and documents related to the shrine itself.
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
The Confucius Shrine is a short walk from the Ouratenshudo tram stop along line number 5, at the foot of the Dutch Slope.
Hours and Fees
Hours
9:30 to 18:00 (entry until 17:30)
Admission
660 yen (includes admission to the museum)