Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki is the site where 26 Catholics, including Paulo Miki, were crucified on February 5, 1597. Arrested in Kyoto and Osaka by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, they were forced to march 800 km in the snow to their execution   From the cross, Paul Miki declared: “All of you who are here, please listen to me. I am Japanese by birth and a brother of the Society of Jesus. I have committed no crime; the only reason I am being put to death is that I have taught the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am deeply happy to die for this cause, and I see my death as a great blessing from the Lord.　At this critical moment, when you can be assured that I will not try to deceive you, I want to emphasize and make it unmistakably clear that man can find no way to salvation other than the Christian way. Since the Christian law commands us to forgive our enemies and those who have wronged us, I declare here that I forgive Taikosama (Hideyoshi)   Then, they all ascended to heaven with the happiness of giving their lives to Christ.   Nishizaka hill, the site of Martyrdom in 1597 The martyrs said that  ” All people, bless God ! ”   The 26 Japanese …

Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan…の続きを読む

  The Nagasaki Confucius Shrine is the world’s only Confucian shrine built outside China by Chinese hands. First constructed in 1893 by Chinese residents of Nagasaki with the support of the Qing Dynasty government, the shrine was designed to serve as a place of worship and learning for the Chinese community, housing both a Confucian sanctuary and a primary school.     The buildings were severely damaged by the Atomic bomb explosion on August 9, 1945 and were not restored and opened to the public until September 1967. The shrine was extensively renovated in 1982.  Standing outside the shrine are 72 statues representing the 72 followers of Confucius.     A building at the rear of the shrine houses the Museum of Chinese History and Palace Museum. It features large illuminated photographs of the old Silk Road and models of early Chinese inventions such as the world’s first seismograph. Displayed on the second floor are more than 80 treasure-class articles of varying antiquity on loan directly from the Chinese National Museum and Palace Museum  in Beijing.    

Confucius Shrine…の続きを読む

  Such a disastrous war must never be repeated. At 11:02 a.m. on August 9, 1945, a plutonium atomic bomb detonated approximately 500 meters above the central monument. Most of Nagasaki was destroyed, and a tremendous number of lives were lost; about 70,000 out of Nagasaki’s 240,000 residents died instantly, and up to 60,000 others were injured.   The radius of total destruction was approximately 1.6 kilometers, with subsequent fires spreading across the northern part of the city and extending up to 3.2 kilometers south of the hypocenter.        

Ground Zero…の続きを読む

  Home to the largest seated wooden Buddha in Japan, Tochoji Temple was founded in 806 by Kobo-daishi Kukai, making it the oldest Shingon sect temple in the country. Also known as “Tocho-mitsuji Temple,” it is said that Kobo-daishi founded it upon his return to Hakata after his Buddhist training in Tang China. He built the temple to pray for the eastward dissemination and perpetuation of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism.   Completed in 1993, the Fukuoka Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Fukuoka) stands 10.8 meters tall and is the largest seated wooden Buddha in Japan. On the 28th of each month, the doors of the Rokkakudo temple on the premises are opened, allowing visitors to view its six Buddhist statues. The main hall houses a wooden statue of the Thousand-armed Kannon (Avalokiteshvara), which is designated as an Important Cultural Property.    

Tochoji temple…の続きを読む

  Explore Glover Garden in Nagasaki   Located on Minami-Yamate Hill, Glover Garden offers a captivating look into Nagasaki’s history from the late Edo to the Meiji period. The park features nine traditional Western-style buildings with unique Japanese roof tiles, where foreign merchants once lived. Among these, the Glover, Alt, and Ringer Residences are over 150 years old and stand as invaluable historic treasures. Beyond its rich history, the garden boasts a stunning panoramic view of Nagasaki Port, with the iconic Mt. Inasa serving as a beautiful backdrop.       The Glover Residence: A UNESCO World Heritage Site Built in 1863, the Glover Residence is Japan’s oldest wooden Western-style building and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. It was the home of Thomas Glover, an enterprising Scotsman who arrived in Nagasaki in 1859. He played a massive role in modernizing Japan by operating coal mines, founding Japan’s first modern shipyard, supplying weapons to the Satsuma clan, and helping establish the famous Kirin Brewery. Today, this beautiful historic house offers a captivating glimpse into 19th-century Western culture overlooking Nagasaki Bay.       The Inspiration for Madame Butterfly The Glover Residence is widely believed to be the setting for Puccini’s famous opera, Madame Butterfly. Inside the park, you can see a life-size statue of Tamaki Miura, …

Glover Garden…の続きを読む

  Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown is one of the three major Chinatowns in Japan. It features about 50 Chinese restaurants and numerous souvenir and sundry shops.         Nagasaki Lantern Festival    This annual festival in Nagasaki is held to celebrate the Chinese New Year. It originally started as a New Year celebration among the Chinese residents living in Nagasaki, before expanding into a major city-wide festival in 1994. During the festival, more than 10,000 lanterns beautifully decorate Chinatown and the surrounding areas.    

China town…の続きを読む

  This folk museum vividly depicts the traditional life and culture of Hakata. It is conveniently located near Kushida Shrine, Tochoji Temple, and Canal City Hakata.   Exhibition hall, you can find the many faces and facets of the Hakata way of life, Machiya hall, is a superb example of traditional architecture and has been moved here and restored to provide a glimpse into the past.   In the Souvenir Hall, you can find unique traditional crafts that make perfect gifts and souvenirs.    

Hakata Machiya Furusatokan…の続きを読む

  Unzen is a pleasant onsen resort town located within Unzen-Amakusa National Park. The area was originally developed as a resort destination primarily for international visitors looking to escape the summer heat near Nagasaki.     Unzen Onsen Resort Located in the center of the Shimabara Peninsula, this area sits on the southwestern slope of Mount Unzen at an altitude of 700 meters. It began welcoming foreign tourists around 1900, after  figures such as Kaempfer and Siebold introduced the region to the West. In 1934, it became part of the first area to be designated as a National Park in Japan.   Where to explore   Nita Pass Nita Pass is one of the most scenic spots in Unzen, offering magnificent natural beauty throughout the year. Each season puts on a spectacular display: vibrant azaleas in spring, lush greenery in summer, brilliant red maples in autumn, and a fantastic silver hoarfrost in winter.   Unzen Jigoku Unzen Jigoku, which literally means “Hell,” is the number one attraction of Unzen. The area is filled with the distinct scent of sulfur and thick white steam rising from the ground across a wide area—a striking reminder that the Unzen volcano remains very much active.   Unzen Trekking   A variety of trekking routes start right from the onsen resort town, leading visitors through Unzen Jigoku. From casual walkers to avid …

Unzen travel guide…の続きを読む

  Mount Naka is part of Mount Aso. Mount Aso consists of five consecutive peaks located within a caldera that spans 25 km north to south and 18 km east to west. The most exciting peak is Mount Naka, standing at an altitude of 1,506 meters, which is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. Depending on weather conditions, you can see inside the active crater from the top.            

Mount Naka…の続きを読む

               Since the opening of its port in 1571, Nagasaki has flourished as Japan’s premier international gateway. The city offers a unique blend of history, from the early spread of Christianity to its pivotal role in Japan’s industrial revolution. While it is a place of profound historical significance—including its tragic experience as the site of an atomic bombing—Nagasaki today stands as a beautiful city of peace and culture.     Exploring Nagasaki   Glover Garden   / UNESCO World Heritage Glover Garden is located on Minami-Yamate Hill in Nagasaki City and features nine traditional Western-style buildings. Among these, the Glover, Alt, and Ringer Residences date back to the settlement era and are invaluable structures that have stood on this site for over 150 years. The garden boasts a stunning location overlooking Nagasaki Port, with the iconic Mt. Inasa visible in the background.   Peace Park The Peace Statue was erected in 1955 near Ground Zero, where the atomic bomb was dropped at 11:02 a.m. on August 9, 1945. Every year on August 9, the Peace Memorial Ceremony is held in front of the statue, where the Mayor of Nagasaki delivers the Nagasaki Peace Declaration to the world. Atomic Bomb Museum The museum displays a collection of photographs that depict the devastation of the atomic bombing, the lead-up to the tragedy, the history of nuclear arms, and a collective hope …

Nagasaki travel guide…の続きを読む