Nagasaki City Tourism Guide Amazing Nagasaki

Exoticsm

Glover Gardens (Glover House)

Glover house was built in 1863. The Scottish tradesman, Thomas Glover, strived toward modernizing Japan during the last days of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The gardens are associated with the opera Madame Butterfly and are home to Japan’s finest examples of Western-style wooden buildings, which have been designated national treasures.

A group of Western-style Houses at Higashi Yamate

There a seven Western-style houses remaining today at Higasahi Yamate. They were built in 1897 to house foreigners residing in Nagasaki. The houses are now open to the public, housing the Nagasaki Municipal Museum of Old Photographs and Unearthed Artifacts, Higashi District Historic Preservation Center and the Higashi Yamate Chikukan.

The Former Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank Nagasaki Branch Museum

The former bank was built in 1900 and was later designated as a National Cultural Asset for being an important western building, with Corinthian stone columns as its main feature.

Peace and the Atomic Bomb

Peace Statue

This statue sits in the Peace Park built on the hill to the north of the hypocenter. The raised arm points to the threat of the atomic bomb and the outstretched arm symbolizes peace. The eyes are closed praying for the souls of the victims who lost their lives in the atomic bombing.

Religion

Oura Cathedral

Built by Father Petitjean, from France, in 1864, this building is now a National Treasure and is Japan’s oldest gothic-style wooden Cathedral.

Urakami Cathedral

After the ban on Christianity was lifted, Urakami Cathedral was completed after 33 years of labor. The Cathedral was damaged by the Atomic Bomb but was reconstructed beautifully, welcoming the Pope from Rome in 1981.

The Site of the Matyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan

Under Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s ban on Christianity, six European missionaries and twenty Japanese Christians, including children, were captured in Kyoto and Osaka and sent to Nagasaki where they were crucified at this spot in February 5, 1597.

Street Scape

The view from Mount Inasa

From 333 meters, Mount Inasa offers a great view of Nagasaki's many slopes lined with houses. At the summit there is a lookout tower, which commands a breathtaking 360 panoramic view of Nagasaki and its harbor.

Festivals and events

Nagasaki Tall Ships Festival

Sailing vessels from home and abroad gather in Nagasaki Port for this spring festival, givining spectators a chance sample the beauty of the port of Nagasaki at its best.

Nagasaki Kunchi Festival

Kunchi is famous for the various performances that take place in honor of the gods of Suwa Shrine. The sharp-eyed, horned dragon, 20m in length, is brought to life by ten dancers dressed in Chinese clothes and hats who chase a man holding a golden ball.

Nagasaki Lantern Festival

This festival started as an event to celebrate Chinese New Year by Chinese residents in Nagasaki but has now become a major feature, showcasing the winter in Nagasaki. During the festival approximately 15,000 Chinese-style lanterns adorn the streets of Nagasaki, giving it a very Chinese feel.

Historical Sites and Museums

Spectacles Bridge

The resident priest who worked at Kofuku temple built this bridge in the late 17th century. It remains the oldest stone bridge in Japan. The name comes from the fact that the two arches and their reflection in the river look like eyeglasses.

Dejima

During the period of National Isolation, Dejima was the sole window to the West. Restoration works are underway to completely restore the fan-shaped island to its originally state as it was at the beginning of the 19th century. In April, 2000, some buildings on the western side of the site were restored and are now open to the public.

Nagasaki Museum for History and Culture

One part of the Nagasaki magistrate’s office in Tatayama was restored and the museum holds many important historical documents, arts and crafts and old written documents totaling to approximately 48,000 items.

Local Specialties

Champon noodles

Champon noodles and Sara Udon noodles are part of Nagasaki cuisine which has been heavily influenced by Chinese culture. It is said that Chinese chefs made “Champon” for Chinese students studying in Nagasaki around the end of the 19th century because they were cheap but hearty.

Shippoku cuisine

Shippoku cuisine, created here in Nagasaki, blends the cuisine of Japan, China and Europe.

Chinese Temple

Sofukuji Temple

Founded by the Buddhist priest Chonen in 1629, Sofukuji remains a rare example of Ming architecture with its vermillion lacquer panels, belonging to one of Japan’s oldest Zen sects, the Obaku sect.

Night Views and Light Ups

The night view form Mount Inasa

This is a favorite spot for local residents and tourists alike. At night a dazzling ten million dollar view unfolds like a giant pageant in front of your eyes.

Megami Bridge

The brightly illuminated bridge is an added bonus to the ten million dollar view from Mount Inasa. Night time offers a different view and visitors will be attracted by the bridge's beauty.