NAGASAKI, HISTORY, THE BOMB AND KUNCHI FESTIVAL

NAGASAKI

JAPAN

HISTORY, THE BOMB AND KUNCHI FESTIVAL

On the way back from Uzbekistan, we flew to Fukuoka Airport via Seoul and detoured to Nagasaki .  We arrived at the start of the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival held every year from October 7th to 9th for 3 days. There is a parade called "Okudari" and performances in the town called "Niwasaki Mawari". It is very lively all day from morning till night. We stayed in Hakata (part of Fukuoka) and caught a bus to Nagasaki from the Hakata Railway Station. There is also a train service

There is also a lot see in Nagasaki. Start with Dejima, which was the only foreign trade allowed during the isolation periodfrom 1639  until 1853 . Dejima, which was an artificial island connected by a bridge, continued to land due to the reclamation of Nagasaki Port after the Meiji era and had lost its image at that time, but since 1996, there has been a full-scale restoration work.

Dutch trading house manager's house "Kapitan room"

Former Dejima Theological Seminary

After Japan opened the country, the Oura/Yamate area became the residential area designated for foreigners, and there were places such as  Glover Garden and Oura Catholic Church which are very Western. Glover Garden is a garden with Western-style architecture of Glover House, Orto House, and Ringer House in a large site. Unfortunately, Glover House was under construction with the  restoration work is scheduled to end at the end of October 2021.

Orto House in Glover Garden

You can overlook Nagasaki Port from the glover garden on the hill

The Oura Catholic Church, located right next to the Glover Garden, is the oldest surviving Christian church in Japan.

Oura Catholic Church is a church built for foreigners living in this area after the end of the isolation period. It is also the place where an event called "Discovery of Hidden Christian" happened – the Japanese Christians who had been hiding their Christian faith for many years came out and confessed their faith.   

 The  Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park in the Urakami area and a must see area.

                                         

Peace Memorial Statue in Peace Park

Atomic bomb fall center

Bell tower of Urakami Cathedral which was blown away by the atomic bomb

Exposed stone statue

 As Nagasaki was the only point of contact with foreign countries in Japan during the isolation period, the influence of Christianity and Western culture can be seen strongly, but the influence of Chinese culture is also very strong here in Nagasaki.The two most impressive Chinese style temples, were  Kofukuji and Sofukuji .Most require a fee to enter.

 

Bell and Drum Tower of Kofukuji Temple built in 1624

Round window of Kofukuji Temple

                                           

The Three Gates of Sofukuji Temple built in 1629

Safukuji Temple

In the area from Kajiyamachi to Teramachi, where the  Sofukuji Temple and Kofukuji Temple are located, many Buddhist temples lined up along a quiet street and worthy of a look.When you go down the slope from the street where the temples of Teramachi are lined up, you come to Nakashima River which has several bridges, the most famous of which is Meganebashi . It is Japan's first arched stone bridge built in 1629.

In Nagasaki, we stayed at a hotel called Hotel Forza Nagasaki in the arcade of "Hamanmachi Shopping Street" .Because of the Kunchi Festival accommodation was limited  and the Hotel Forza was a modern and clean hotel, and the location was extremely convenient, so it was a good  

 Hotel Forza Nagasaki

There were many narrow alleys with small restaurants near the hotel, and it was fun to eat.We especially liked the restaurant " Wine & Creative Cuisine Sorriso ".It was small restaurant run by a couple, and the food went well with the wine.