Introduction to Nagasaki Prefecture
In the early Edo period (1603-1867), Japan long prohibited trade with other countries, but Nagasaki Prefecture was the only window for trade with foreign countries. As a result, a unique culture has developed, influenced by Western and Chinese influences. It still remains strong in our daily lives in the form of buildings, gourmet food, and festivals. Japan is the only country in the world to have been hit by a nuclear weapon, and Nagasaki Prefecture was the site of the second atomic bombing. I have been to Nagasaki Prefecture several times, and I think it is a place worth visiting even if it is far away, because there are many elements to learn about its history and culture.
I am sure you are familiar with the culture of the representative regions of Japan, such as Tokyo, Hokkaido, Osaka, Kyoto, and Okinawa, but I think it is difficult to get a sense of the unique culture of Nagasaki Prefecture, which incorporates Western and Chinese culture, unless you go there, so why not make Nagasaki a candidate when you stop by Kyushu? It is a city that makes you wonder, “Is this really part of Japan? It is a city that will make you wonder if you are really in Japan!
Geographic location
Located on the western edge of Kyushu, it faces the East China Sea. It has a beautiful coastline. The center of the city is Nagasaki City.
History & Culture
Nagasaki is a very interesting city with a mixture of Western, Chinese, and Japanese cultures, with the port of Nagasaki known as the first point of contact with the West.
National isolation
The term “seclusion” refers to the state of not conducting any diplomacy with other countries, and one of the purposes of Japan’s seclusion was to suppress Christianity. However, as the isolationism progressed, the Shogunate, recognizing the importance of Nagasaki’s trade income with other countries, built “Dejima” as a district dedicated solely to trade.
Christian Culture
Although Japan is a traditionally Buddhist country, Nagasaki has a very interesting history of why Christianity was propagated and why Christians were suppressed. I will not explain it in this blog, but many churches and historical buildings still remain in Nagasaki. Experiencing and learning about these in the area will be a good opportunity to learn more about the depths of Japan.
A-bomb
Japan is the only country in the world to have suffered atomic bombings. Nagasaki is also the hypocenter of the second nuclear bomb. Nagasaki is a great place to learn about the history of Japan as a once war-torn country and a good opportunity to think about the future. There are many great activities in Japan, but there is no better place to think about peace in the future than here in Nagasaki.
Wakaran Culture
Wakaran culture is one of the culinary cultures of Nagasaki City. It is known as a unique food culture unique to Nagasaki, where various cultures such as “Wa = Japan,” “Ka = China,” and “Ran = Holland” intersect. It incorporates cooking methods from various countries, such as Chinese steamed food, Dutch stewed food, and Japanese fried food.
Tourist attraction
Nagasaki Prefecture is home to many historical sites and natural beauty.
Nagasaki Peace Park
Nagasaki Peace Park is a major tourist attraction in Nagasaki City that attracts many visitors every year. It is an important place to convey the horror of the atomic bombing to future generations and to pray for lasting peace.
Statue of peace offering prayers
This is a 10 meter tall bronze statue by Kitamura Nishimochi. The statue, with its right hand raised to the sky and left hand outstretched in front of it, represents an appeal for the tragedy of the atomic bombing and a prayer for peace.
Fountain of Peace
This fountain is decorated with cranes folded by children from all over the world. In the center of the fountain is a statue of children who were victims of the atomic bombing.
Atomic Bomb Museum
This museum exhibits materials and photographs from the time of the atomic bombings. Materials conveying the tragedy of the atomic bombing are on display, and the museum expresses the wish for the abolition of nuclear weapons.
Mount Unzen
Mount Unzen is characterized by its unique landscape formed by volcanic activity. On the mountainside, lava domes and pyroclastic deposits created by the eruption can be observed. There is also a hot spring area called Unzen Hell, which attracts many tourists.
It is a place where visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as mountain climbing, hiking, observatory, and hot springs. Mountain trails range from beginner to advanced, allowing visitors to choose the course that best suits their fitness level.
Huis Ten Bosch
Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park located in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture. The park, which recreates the streets of Europe, has flower gardens, attractions, restaurants, hotels, and more. Families, couples, and friends can all enjoy this theme park. When you visit Nagasaki, be sure to visit Huis Ten Bosch.
Gunkanjima
Gunkanjima is an uninhabited island located in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. The island prospered from undersea coal mining from the Meiji Era to the Showa Era.
It is located about 40 minutes by boat from Nagasaki Port. It is about 1.2 km in circumference and 6.3 ha in area, and is densely populated with high-rise reinforced concrete apartments, hospitals, schools, and other buildings.
Gunkanjima flourished as a coal mining island after coal mines were discovered in 1810. At its peak, the island was home to approximately 5,000 people. However, when the mines closed in 1974, all the islanders left and the island became uninhabited.
Because of its unique scenery, Gunkanjima is often used as a filming location for movies and TV dramas. It was also registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2015.
Currently, Gunkanjima offers landing tours for tourists. The tours take visitors around the island while listening to a guide explain the island’s history and culture.
Nagasaki Chinatown
Nagasaki Chinatown has about 40 stores, including Chinese restaurants, general stores, and souvenir shops. In addition, the Nagasaki Lantern Festival is held every February, attracting many tourists. It is fun to tour around Chinatown while eating take-out steamed meat buns and desserts.
Glover Garden
Glover Garden is a scenic hilltop tourist spot in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, featuring historic Western-style buildings and beautiful gardens. The park features the Old Glover Residence, where Scottish-born trader Thomas Glover lived, as well as relocated and restored Western-style buildings built in the early Meiji Period and the Old Glover Residence, all of which tell the story of Nagasaki’s history. The Old Glover Residence is the oldest surviving wooden Western-style house in Japan and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
Goto Islands
The Goto Islands are an archipelago of more than 140 islands of various sizes, located in Goto City, Nishisonogi-gun, Nagasaki Prefecture. Located approximately 100 km west of mainland Kyushu, the islands are an attractive tourist destination with rich nature, history, and culture.
The main islands of Goto are Fukue Island, Narushima, Kuga Island, Nakadori Island, and Wakamatsu Island. Fukuejima is the largest island in the Goto Archipelago and is home to the center of Goto City. Narushima is an island with a history of latent Christianity and is registered as a World Heritage site. Kugashima is known for its Goto beef. Nakatsushima is located almost in the center of the Goto Islands and is characterized by its beautiful coastline. Wakamatsu Island is located at the northernmost tip of the Goto Archipelago, where visitors can enjoy marine sports such as swimming and fishing.
The main tourist attractions in Gotō are as follows
- Fukue Island: Fukue Port, Fukue Castle Ruins, Dozaki Tenshudo Hall, “Fukue Townscape Preservation District” with stone arcades, Fukue Island Zoo and Botanical Garden
- Naru Island: Egami Village (World Heritage Site), “Ishizukuri no Sato,” one of the largest groups of megalithic stones on Goto, and “Senbonmatsu,” one of the three most beautiful pine trees in Japan, in Aosagaura
- Kuga Island: “Onidake Observatory,” one of the three most beautiful pine trees in Japan, Goto cattle ranch
- Nakadori Island: “Dozaki Tenshudo of Fukue Island,” one of the three most beautiful pine trees in Japan, “Kanzakibana Lighthouse,” the westernmost lighthouse in Japan, and “Tachikushi Beach,” one of the largest beaches on Goto
- Wakamatsu Island: Swimming, fishing, camping and other marine sports
Access to Gotō can be by plane, ferry, or high-speed boat.
- Flight: Approximately 40 minutes from Nagasaki Airport to Fukue Airport
- Ferry: 3 hours and 30 minutes from Nagasaki Port to Fukue Port
- High-speed boat: 1 hour and 30 minutes from Nagasaki Port to Fukue Port
Food culture
The culinary culture of Nagasaki Prefecture is diverse, offering seafood and cuisine from around the world.
Nagasaki Champon
Nagasaki Champon is a noodle dish widely popular as a local delicacy in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. The most distinctive feature of Nagasaki Champon is the thick noodles and the thick soup stir-fried with plenty of ingredients. Thick, firm noodles are used. Various kinds of ingredients are used, including pork, kamaboko (steamed fish paste), shrimp, squid, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, and carrots. The soup is a thick, pork-bone based broth, concentrated with the flavor of seafood and vegetables.
Sara Udon
Sara Udon is a Chinese dish consisting of thick or thin noodles topped with a starchy sauce of stir-fried vegetables, seafood, or meat. Thick noodles are thick and firm, similar to chanpon. Thin noodles are deep-fried noodles with a crispy texture. The starchy sauce is either pork bone-based or chicken broth-based, and has a thick and rich flavor.
Nagasaki sponge cake
Nagasaki sponge cake is characterized by its fluffy texture and gentle sweetness. The surface is golden brown and the inside is yellow and moist. Made using traditional methods, Nagasaki Castella has a perfect balance of egg flavor and sugar sweetness.
There are many ways to enjoy Nagasaki sponge cake other than eating it as it is.
- Eat with ice cream or fruit.
- Eat with butter or jam.
- Toast and eat.
Sasebo Burger
It is said that the Sasebo burger was first made around 1950 after receiving a recipe directly from the U.S. Navy base. At the time, stores were opened near the base and sold to Americans. Later, various stores opened and developed their own unique arrangements. It was established as the Sasebo style “Sasebo Burger.
Goto Udon
Goto Udon is hand-pulled udon produced in the Goto Islands of Nagasaki Prefecture. It is known as one of the three major types of udon in Japan, along with Sanuki udon and Inaniwa udon.
Goto udon has the following characteristics
- Thin noodles: Thinner than typical udon noodles, about 1 mm thick.
- Strong: The firmness is strong due to the use of dough that has been aged well.
- Smooth texture: The surface is smooth and sleek.
- Flavorful taste: The original flavor of flour is used.
Lemon steak
Lemon steak is a meat dish originating from Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture. It features thin slices of beef grilled on a griddle and topped with a soy sauce-based sauce containing lemon juice just before grilling.
Turkish rice
Turkey rice is a Western-style dish consisting of a variety of side dishes on a single plate, widely popular as a local delicacy in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. It is mainly served with pilaf, spaghetti, and pork cutlet, and topped with demi-glace sauce. There are various theories as to why it was named Turkey Rice, and it is not well understood. However, it is certain that it is delicious.
Shippoku cuisine
Shippoku cuisine is a Japanese-Western banquet cuisine that originated in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. It is a unique fusion of elements of Chinese, Western, and Japanese cuisines, and is a popular part of Nagasaki’s food culture that reflects the city’s culture and history.
Activities
Nagasaki Prefecture offers a variety of activities.
Mount Unzen
Unzen offers a variety of activities unique to an active volcano.
Unzen Ropeway
From the Unzendake Ropeway, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Mt. The view of Unzen Hell, Shimabara Peninsula, and the Ariake Sea below is breathtaking.
Unzen Hell
Unzen Hell is a popular tourist spot with a well-maintained promenade where visitors can see fumaroles and hot spring ponds up close.
Mountain climbing
There are courses that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced climbers alike. From the top of the mountain, a panoramic view of the Shimabara Peninsula and the Ariake Sea can be seen.
Cruising
Enjoy the spectacular view of Nagasaki’s nature-rich islands from the sea.
Gunkanjima Cruise
This tour takes you to see Gunkanjima, registered as a World Heritage Site, from the sea. Advance reservations are required.
Kujuku Islands Pleasure Boat
Cruise around 208 islands of various sizes at the entrance of Nagasaki Port.
Nagasaki Lantern Festival
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival is a festival held in Nagasaki City from late January to early February. It originates from the Chinese New Year Festival, when the Chinese New Year is celebrated, and the city is decorated with approximately 15,000 lanterns.
The main event of the Nagasaki Lantern Festival is the lantern lighting ceremony. A lighting ceremony is held at Suwa Shrine in the center of the city by the mayor of Nagasaki City and guests, followed by the lighting of all lanterns simultaneously.
In addition to the lighting ceremony, various other events are held. Chinese acrobatics, dragon dances, lion dances, and other performances, as well as gourmet events featuring Chinese food stalls, are popular.
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival is an event that attracts many tourists every year as a winter tradition in Nagasaki. The streets lit by the fantastic lantern lights are very beautiful.
Huis Ten Bosch
Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park located in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture. The vast grounds, which recreate the streets of Europe, are lined with flower gardens, attractions, restaurants, and other facilities. It is a place where families, couples, and friends can enjoy themselves all day long.
Atomic Bomb Museum
Atomic Bomb Museum is a museum that records and exhibits the damage caused by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. There are two museums: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. If you visit Nagasaki, please visit the Atomic Bomb Museum and learn about its history.
Nagasaki City Dinosaur Museum
The Nagasaki City Dinosaur Museum exhibits dinosaur fossils discovered in Nagasaki City and from around the world. The museum also has exhibits on dinosaur ecology and evolution.
The main exhibits at the Nagasaki City Dinosaur Museum are as follows
- Whole body skeleton of Hadrosaurus discovered in Nagasaki City
- Whole body skeleton of Tyrannosaurus rex
- Whole body skeleton of Triceratops
- Dinosaur eggs and nests
- Reconstructed dinosaur model
- Video on dinosaur ecology
Seasonal Recommendations
Nagasaki Prefecture has charms in all four seasons.
Spring
- Cherry Blossoms: Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Nagasaki City, Sasebo City, and other parts of the prefecture.
- Flower Garden: Spring flowers are in full bloom in the Huis Ten Bosch park.
Summer
- Swimming: You can enjoy swimming at beautiful beaches in Nagasaki City and Sasebo City.
- Festival: Summer festivals in various locations such as Sasebo Port Festival
Autumn
- Autumn Foliage: There are many places famous for their autumn foliage, such as Mount Unzen and the Goto Islands.
- Gourmet: You can enjoy dishes made with seasonal ingredients, such as autumn swordfish and oysters. The Goto Islands are a treasure trove of fish.
- Matsuri: It is the time of year when Nagasaki Kunchi is held. This is your chance to participate in a traditional Japanese festival.
Winter
- Event: View beautiful lanterns and eat delicious Chinese food at the Nagasaki Lantern Festival.
- Onsen: Warm yourself in Japan’s westernmost hot springs, such as Unzen Onsen and Shimabara Onsen.
Local Culture
Festival
- Nagasaki Kunchi: With a history of 400 years, this is the largest festival in Nagasaki.
- Sasebo Port Festival: A summer tradition in Sasebo City, with gorgeous floats parading in the streets.
Traditional crafts
- Hasamiyaki: Beautiful ceramics with a 400-year history.
- Nagasaki Tortoiseshell: The shell of the sea turtle was used to make mainly ornamental hairpins in ancient times. Products include ornaments such as treasure ships and yachts, as well as necktie pins, necklaces, and pendants.
Transportation
Various modes of transportation are available to reach Nagasaki Prefecture from Tokyo, including airplanes, bullet trains, trains, and highway buses.
Airplane
Nagasaki City: Take a flight to Nagasaki Airport.
Goto: Take a flight from Fukuoka Airport to Fukue Airport.
Shinkansen
Approximately 5 hours from Tokyo Station to Hakata Station, then approximately 1 hour by express train
Ferry
This service is used to go from Nagasaki City to Gotō and the outlying islands. Since there are many islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, many ferries depart from Nagasaki Port and Sasebo Port.
Lastly
With its history, culture, nature, and cuisine, Nagasaki Prefecture is a fascinating place to visit. From activities to traditional culture, Nagasaki Prefecture is sure to be the perfect destination for your trip.