Nagasaki – Japan’s Gateway to the West
On August 9th, 1945, the USA dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki. It became the second city after Hiroshima to be destroyed by an atomic bomb. The city therefore has a lot of places to visit to learn about this horrific period in its history.
Just like Hiroshima though, Nagasaki has more to offer than this tragic part of its history. This port city was the only place in Japan where Portuguese and Dutch sailors were allowed to dock and trade. The influence of these early European traders remains in Nagasaki, with the additional influence of European merchants and Chinese immigrants also prominent within the city.
Things to do in nagasaki
- Atomic Bomb Hypocentre Monument
- Peace Park
- Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
- Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
- Sanno Shrine One-Legged Torii Gate
- Dejima
- Chinatown
- Glover Garden
- Mount Inasa
- Hamanomachi Shopping Street
Atomic Bomb Hypocentre Monument
The Atomic Bomb Hypocentre Monument in Nagasaki marks where the atomic bomb exploded 500 metres above. Everything in the surrounding area was reduced to rubble, with about one-third of the city destroyed and 150,000 people killed or injured.
In the same park you can see the ground level at the time of the atomic bombing. This preserved area contains broken roof tiles, bricks and glass to show the destructive force of the atomic bomb.
Peace park
The Peace Park in Nagasaki is home to different monuments and preserved structures to commemorate the atomic bombing. Most notable is the Peace Statue, a 10-metre-tall depiction of a man. The statue’s right hand points to the sky, drawing attention to the threat of nuclear weapons, while his left hand is used to symbolise peace.
As well as other statues and the peace bell, you can also find the wing-beat water fountain. The ever-changing movement of the water represents the beating wings of the dove of peace.
Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
Much like the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima, the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum contains many uncomfortable details and artefacts from August 1945. As such, it’s not the kind of place where you should take many photos.
The museum starts of with a clock frozen at 11:02am, the time of the atomic bomb detonation. From there the museum takes you through the destruction caused to Nagasaki, the events of the war and creation of the bomb, and the lasting impacts it has had on the city.
Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
As with its counterpart in Hiroshima, the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims was built to keep a record of the victims of the bombing. Inside there is a library and a place to register or search for deceased loved ones.
Sanno Shrine One-Legged Torii Gate
The atomic blast occurred less than 1km away from Sanno Shrine. The only thing left standing in the area was this one pillar of the torii gate arch, and even then the force of the blast caused it to rotate.
Photos nearby and in the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum show how the torii gate appeared before the atomic bomb.
Dejima
Dejima was an artificial island constructed off the coast of Nagasaki in the 17th century, first as a port for the Portuguese and then later for use by the Dutch. This island was created to isolate foreigners from the Japanese population, and was the only port in the entirety of Japan where Westerners were allowed to trade. Thus, Nagasaki became Japan’s Gateway to the West.
Now when you visit, you can walk the old port and experience the residences and warehouses of the past, many of which have been preserved or reconstructed.
There is a lot of history to learn here, with information about the different ships used and products traded. Between 1810 and 1815, Dejima was the only place in the entire world where the flag of the Netherlands was flown.
Chinatown
The Nagasaki Chinatown is quite small but is the oldest Chinatown in Japan. Much like how the Dutch were confined to Dejima, Chinese traders were confined to Chinatown during the Edo Period.
Inside Chinatown you can find some restaurants and shops.
Glover Garden
Glover Garden is an open-air museum that includes mansions and related buildings that belonged to Nagasaki’s foreign residents after Japan’s era of seclusion ended. Many Western merchants chose to settle on this hill which is now Glover Garden.
The garden gets its name from Thomas Glover, a Scottish merchant who moved to Nagasaki after the country opened to foreign trade. He helped to modernise Japan’s shipbuilding, as well as making contributions to other industries in the country.
You can wander around and inside many of the buildings here which have been preserved.
As well as the gardens and houses, you can get a great view over Nagasaki port.
Mount Inasa
To the west of Nagasaki is Mount Inasa at 333m. The Nagasaki Ropeway can take you from Fuchi Shrine at the bottom to the top in about 10 minutes.
At the top there is a multi-level viewing platform with a 360-degree view from the top level. The night view from here is considered one of the world’s top three greatest night views. Unfortunately when I visited the top of the mountain was shrouded in mist and I had to get back down to catch my train, so hopefully when you visit it will be clear or you’ll have more time to wait out the changing weather.
Hamanomachi Shopping Street
Hamanomachi Shopping Street is a large covered shopping area in Nagasaki. Here you can find lots of tourist shops, clothing and cosmetics stores, and Japanese discount stores like Don Quijote and Daiso. If you’re looking to do some shopping in Nagasaki, this is the place to come.
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