About Nagasaki
A Multicultural Experience in Nagasaki City (1 Day Walking Course)
Take a leisurely stroll through the central area of Nagasaki City, and experience the city's unique culture through its food, architecture and stories for each location.
Nagasaki City has a long history of exchanges with foreign countries, and the area used to be much smaller than it is today. As a result, the mixture of cultures (Japanese, Chinese, and Western) remain in areas that are within walking distance from one another. Experience the wonders and charms of this diversity for yourself!
- Required Time：1day
- Means of Transportation：by tram, walk
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START
Approx. 20 min. by tram (Nagasaki Station〜Shinchi Chinatown Tram Stop〜Oura Cathedral Tram Stop), then approx. 10 min. walk
Glover Garden
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. This excellent vantage point offers a superb and extensive view of Nagasaki Harbor. The gardens feature the former Glover Residence, which, in addition to the gardens, was donated to the city of Nagasaki in 1957 by the Nagasaki Shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and opened to the public. Eventually, six other Western-style residences from the Meiji era that had been built throughout the city were dismantled, moved, reconstructed and restored as important national cultural properties on this site of former foreign settlements. They joined the former Glover Residence, the former Ringer Residence, and the former Alt Residence on the site. All these buildings now form Glover Garden.
Inside the gardens, one can tour the Thomas B. Glover Residence, Japan's oldest wooden Western-style residence. Through his trading businesses, Glover contributed much to Japan's modernization. The gardens, in addition to revealing the living circumstances of Nagasaki's foreign residents during what is known as "the period of foreign settlement," also display an abundance of fascinating natural beauty. Now all can view the same scenery, and relax in the same gentle breezes, enjoyed by these renowned historical personages.
Inside the gardens, one can tour the Thomas B. Glover Residence, Japan's oldest wooden Western-style residence. Through his trading businesses, Glover contributed much to Japan's modernization. The gardens, in addition to revealing the living circumstances of Nagasaki's foreign residents during what is known as "the period of foreign settlement," also display an abundance of fascinating natural beauty. Now all can view the same scenery, and relax in the same gentle breezes, enjoyed by these renowned historical personages.
| Address | 850-0931 長崎県長崎市南山手町8-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| TEL | 095-822-8223 | |
| Hours of Operation | 8:00～18:00（Last entry at 17:40） ※Hours of operation may change depending on the season. |
Approx. 10 min. walk
Higashiyamate District
National Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings
In the 19th century this area was known as consulate hill because of the rows of consulates and chapels from various countries, and traditional Western-style buildings still exist, such as wooden houses and the former British Consulate in Nagasaki.
Approx. 5 min. walk
Nagasaki Confucian Shrine & Historical Museum of China
Built in 1893, this is the only Confucian mausoleum constructed by the Chinese outside China. Renovated in 1982 with the support of the Chinese government, the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius in Qufu, Shandong Province, this temple is a unique structure that blends the architectural styles of both Southern and Northern China. Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, was born over 2,500 years ago on September 28, 551 B.C. (in the Gregorian calendar) in state of Lu (in what is present-day Shandong Province) as the second son of a military man. He busied himself with study and preaching to his many disciples. His most famous writing is The Analects of Confucius. This is a record of his collected sayings, the teachings in his dialogues with his disciples, and the disciples' conversations with Confucius about their beliefs. The entire mausoleum contains 20 compilations, in 500 sections, for a total of over 16,000 characters of The Analects of Confucius carved into marble imported from Hualien, Taiwan.
| Address | 850-0918 長崎県長崎市大浦町10-36 | |
|---|---|---|
| TEL | 095-824-4022 | |
| Hours of Operation | 9:30～18:00（Last entry at 17:30） |
Approx. 10 min. walk
Shinchi Chinatown
The Shinchi area was originally land reclaimed for warehouses used by Chinese boats. Today it is one of Japan’s top three Chinatowns, featuring a total of 250m crisscrossing roads filled with Chinese restaurants, shops and large red Chinese gates.
| Address | 850-0842 長崎県長崎市新地町 |
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Approx. 10 min. walk
Sofukuji Temple
In 1629, the Chinese residents of Nagasaki who hailed from Fujian Province constructed this Chinese Temple. It houses 21 cultural assets, including two national treasures - Daiohoden (Buddha Hall) & Daippo-mon (First Peak Gate). It is a temple with a unique pedigree; apart from the temples of Kyoto and Nara, it is unique for housing so many cultural assets in one temple in Western Japan. The "Daio" of the national treasure Daiohoden signifies the Sakyamuni Buddha. Since the sedentary statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha is enshrined as a principal image of Buddha, it is called Daiohoden. When the Buddhist statue was renovated around 1935, an internal organ of silver and cloth was discovered within it. Also, although the gate of the temple - a two-storied tower gate - is ordinarily known as "Temple Gate," Sofukuji Temple has three gated entrances known as "the three gates." The raised lettering "Seijuyama" appearing on the framed picture of the three gates was from the brush of the Zen Master Ingen, a high priest of China who had entered Kofukuji temple.
| Address | 850-0831 長崎県長崎市鍛冶屋町7-5 | |
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| TEL | 095-823-2645 | |
| Hours of Operation | 8:00～17:00 |
Approx. 10 min. walk
Megane-Bashi (Spectacles Bridge)
In 1570, during the period of national isolation when Dejima was established upon the opening of the Port of Nagasaki, the Nakajima River's importance to trade made it the central artery of the city. In 1634, Japan's first Chinese-style stone bridge, the Spectacle Bridge, was constructed by Mokusunyoujo, the second-generation Chinese monk of Kofukuji Temple, Japan's oldest Chinese Temple. The bridge gets its name from its resemblance to a pair of spectacles when the arches of the bridges are reflected as ovals on the surface of the river. This bridge, along with Edo's Nihonbashi Bridge and Iwakuni's Kintaikyou Bridge, are considered the three most famous bridges in Japan. Although it is not well known, Spectacles Bridge was the inspiration for the Double Bridge of the Imperial Palace. By the end of the 17th century, following the construction of the Spectacles Bridge, numerous stone bridges were built for many of the roads that join the Nakashima River. It is said that these stone bridges were only constructed on roads that lead to temples when one stands at Teramachi.
| Address | 長崎県長崎市魚の町と諏訪町の間 | |
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| TEL | 095-829-1193(長崎市文化観光部文化財課) |
Approx. 15 min. walk
Suwa Shrine
After being burnt down by Christians during the Warring States period, this shrine was rebuilt in 1625 in Matsumori. It was later moved to its current location high above the city center and is enjoyed by many people in Nagasaki. Every autumn the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival, one of the three biggest in Japan, takes place here.
| Address | 850-0006 長崎県長崎市上西山町18-15 | |
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| TEL | 095-824-0445 |
Approx. 15 min. walk
Shindenan
Experience Japanese Culture
Shindenan is a villa built in 1628 by Shin Gachou, an interpreter and trader with China. The tea room has a long history and is part of Nagasaki City's cultural heritage. Visitors can also enjoy the villa's fresh greenery in the spring and the leaves changing colors in the fall.
Approx. 10 min. walk, then approx. 10 min. by tram (Shindaikumachi Tram Stop〜Nagasaki Station)
Nagasaki Station
FINISH
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