Nagasaki is the world-famous capital of the Nagasaki Prefecture on the Japanese island of Kyushu. During the 16th and 19th centuries, the city became the sole port for commerce with the Portuguese and Dutch. Nagasaki's Hidden Christian Sites have been well-recognized and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There's much to see and do here, from ancient antiques to architecture depicting the era when Nagasaki had a strong Dutch influence. There are also some magnificent hidden jewels waiting to be discovered.
Fukusai-Ji Temple: The temple is shaped like a giant turtle holding an 18m-high Kannon figure on its back; it's a magnificent sight to witness. Inside the temple, a Foucault pendulum depicts the earth's axis' revolution. The Foucault pendulum swings from the hollow statue's top' it's comparable to its bigger counterparts in St Petersburg and Paris. Unfortunately, the ancient temple, erected in 1628 and of Chinese origin, was entirely destroyed during the bombardment. Its replacement was constructed in 1976.
Ōura Church- The Ura Church, Japan's oldest existing Christian church, was erected at the end of the Edo Period by a French missionary for the city's burgeoning community of foreign merchants. The church is dedicated to the remembrance of the 26 Christians murdered in the city in 1597, and it is now a beautiful example of contemporary European architecture. The church was the first Western-style structure in Japan to be declared a national treasure; it stands out among the most prominent Japanese traditional structures.
Glover House and Office: Glover House and Office are located in the midst of the lovely Glover Gardens. Puccini's "Madame Butterfly" is supposed to have been inspired by this mansion and office. The home was erected in the 1860s by Thomas Blake Glover's Scottish trader. It's a gorgeous mix of traditional Japanese architectural components with a Georgian-style façade. The structure's latticed arches, stone-floored verandas, French windows, and British chimneys are set on a tile-covered Japanese roof. As you do your rounds within the park, look for the monuments of Puccini and Miura Tamaki, who played Madame Butterfly.
Suwa Shrine: Suwa Shrine's beginnings may date back to the 1500s. Teramachi-Dori: The shrine's original location is traced to Temple Street. Evidently, Christians demolished the Suwa Shrine, as well as other Buddhist and Shinto treasures. Suwa Shrine was renovated in 1625 and transferred to its current position in 1648 to revitalize the Shinto faith. The Nagasaki Kunchi Festival is held here every October. It has a history extending back more than 400 years and is among Japan's most significant events.
Gunkanjima Island: This tiny island is located some 20 kilometers from Nagasaki Port. Until 1974, the island was a coal mine, and more than 5000 people lived on the 480-meter-long, 150-meter-wide place. It previously had the highest population density ever recorded in history. In order to house so many people in a somewhat confined space, every available ground was developed; this transformed the island into a massive battleship. "Gunkanjima" is its Japanese moniker, meaning "battleship island." However, Hashima is the island's official name. The mine was stopped in April 1974, and the occupants were forced to depart Gunkanjima; they thus left the island and its structures. Today, you may tour the decaying peninsula and have a close look at it.
Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum- This museum honors the twenty-six Christians killed here on February 5, 1597. There were both foreign missionaries and Japanese laypeople among them. Missionary work was illegal at the time; therefore, Japan's monarch, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, ordered the executions as a warning. The monument is positioned in a small park on a hill near Nagasaki Station and provides beautiful city views. The museum behind the memorial is dedicated to the martyrs' remembrance and Japanese Christianity. The interior design is evocative of the church massacre, with stained-glass windows. You'll find other Christian relics, including historical papers, statues, and jewelry. If you're searching for something distinctive to do in Nagasaki, this is the place to go.
Mt. Inasa: This is a must-see if you're in Nagasaki; it offers a breathtaking nocturnal perspective. The sight is so stunning that it's dubbed the "ten-million-dollar night view." To reach the peak, which is 333 meters above sea level, you must ride in a ropeway gondola operated by the Nagasaki Ropeway. The trip itself is impressive, and when you reach the top, you'll be able to see the magnificent glittering night view below. The romantic mood produced by the dance of lights that mysteriously emerge from down makes the observation deck pretty ideal for a date night.