Nagasaki

The capital of Nagasaki Prefecture on the coast of the southern island of Kyushu, Nagasaki is a city indelibly associated with tragedy. However, since the devastating atomic bomb attacks, Nagasaki has revitalised itself and now stands as a thriving industrial and tourist centre.

Founded in the 15th century, the site has always been defined by its European influences. First visited by accident by the Portuguese in 1542, trading points were developed over the course of the century alongside the expansion of Catholicism in the city thanks to missionary visits. Indeed, such was the interpenetration that, by the end of the century, much of Nagasaki was actually Catholic. However, this would not last, as the unifying efforts of the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu ended Catholicism after he took the city in the early 17th century and sparked a period of isolationism which would last for over 150 years. Sadly, the cultural heritage of Nagasaki was destroyed by the fateful attack on 9th August 1945, conducted due to the city’s booming shipbuilding industry and resulting in the deaths of almost 75,000 inhabitants.

Since being redeveloped and revamped, Nagasaki still pays tribute to the momentous event, standing as a symbol of triumph through adversity which continues to draw tourists to this day.

Attractions & Culture

The ultimate memorial to the bombing is Nagasaki Peace Park in Matsuyama-Machi, which contains both the Peace Statue and the Fountain of Peace. Beautiful and poignant in its own right, the Park also hosts a memorial ceremony each year on August 9th.

One major attraction is the Glover Garden in Minami-yamate-machi. Built in 1863 by Hidenoshin Koyama and used by the industrial Thomas Blake for secret meetings and as a safe house for rebel samurai, it’s now famous as the oldest surviving Western style house in the city. Also known as the ‘Madame Butterfly House’ due to its visual parallel to Puccini’s opera, millions of visitors are wowed by its gardens, making the spot a must-see monument.

Testifying to Nagasaki’s exceptional religious history is both the Oura Catholic Church in Minami-yamate-machi (built in 1865 and classified a National Treasure by the government) and, more famously, the Urakami Cathedral in Motomachi. Otherwise known as St. Mary’s Cathedral, this was originally built in 1895 but was reconstructed after the bombing and completed in 1959. However, there are still remnants of the old edifice such as the French Angelus bell.

Diverse to say the least, Nagasaki is also home to the Tomeizan Kofuku-ji in Teramachi, an Obaku Zen temple which started as a small monastery in 1620 under the Ming Dynasty. Incorporating the Daiyu Treasure House, the temple is now hailed as a cultural point of interest, being the oldest temple of the Buddhist sect in Japan. Less well known but still beautiful is the Sofukuji Temple, constructed slightly later in 1629 and home to plenty of treasures such as the Daiohoden statue of Buddha.

The feat of reconstructing Nagasaki is celebrated at the top of the 333 metre high Mount Inasa, where observation towers can be found providing a glimpse of the city’s so-called ’10 million dollar night view’.

Nagasaki celebrates a number of events each year, the most popular being the Lantern Festival. Held between mid-January and mid-February, the premise is axiomatic, revolving around an endless stream of ornate and lavish lanterns strewn across the city.

There are plenty of museums and galleries in Nagasaki, including the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum, the Dejima Museum of History in Dejima-machi and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum in Hirano-machi.

Shopping

The most common starting point for visitors is the Hamanomachi Shopping Centre, packed with plenty of familiar and unfamiliar outlets. Alternatively though, for local arts and crafts, the best place to shop is Nagasaki’s Chinatown district.

Nightlife & Dining

Traditional Japanese and Chinese cuisine is the order of the day in Nagasaki, along with a few local Japanese specialities like champon (a noodle dish containing pork, seafood and vegetables), karasumi (pickled mullet fish roe) and the bizarre Turkish rice (pork, dry curry and spaghetti).

Among the many places to eat, Kagetsu in Maruyama-machi and Shikairo in Matsugae-machi come highly recommended. That said, you can find plenty of interesting alternatives like Italian at Obinata in Funadaiku-machi.

Be prepared to search around for the best nightclubs and bars in Nagasaki. A popular tourist venue is Ayer’s Rock in Hananoki Bldg.

Tourist Info

City Tourist Information OfficeJR Nagasaki StationNagasaki

• Tel: + 81 95 823 3631
• E-mail: info@at.Nagasaki.jp
• Web: [http://www.at-nagasaki.jp/ Visit Nagasaki]

Airport

Nagasaki is served by Nagasaki International Airport, located in the city of Omura. A bus service can be used from Nagasaki itself to the airport, the journey time being approximately one hour.

International and domestic connecting flights are available to limited destinations worldwide.