#Meganebashi Bridge

[japan-korea]

 The Imperial Palace has served as the residential place of the successive Emperors since 1868. It contains the Imperial Residence and the Imperial Palace Complex, where His Majesty the Emperor undertakes official duties. Various ceremonies and public activities also held there. Other major buildings include the building of the Imperial Household Agency and the Palace Sericulture Centre (where the successive Empresses have raised silkworms following the precedent set in 1871 by Empress Dowager Shoken, Empress and consort of Emperor Meiji) - The East Gardens of of the palace grounds open to public.

Palace is on the site of the former Edo Castle. The castle, first created in the mid-15th century, was massively enlarged at the turn of the 17th century by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. While Kyoto remained the country’s capital, from where the Emperors appointed the descendants of Ieyasu as Shoguns, Edo Castle, as the residence of the successive Tokugawa Shoguns, had served as the political centre of Japan for more than 260 years. It was handed over to the new government formed under Emperor Meiji in 1868.

*The castle’s remnants, such as moats, earthen and stone walls, watch towers and fortified gates are prominent features of the Palace.

The current Imperial Palace (皇居, Kōkyo) is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo Station. It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family.

Edo Castle used to be the seat of the Tokugawa shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 until 1867. In 1868, the shogunate was overthrown, and the country's capital and imperial residence were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. In 1888 construction of a new Imperial Palace was completed. The palace was once destroyed during World War Two, and rebuilt in the same style, afterwards.

Nijubashi Bridge

From Kokyo Gaien, the large plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, visitors can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived.

The inner grounds of the palace are generally not open to the public. Only on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and February 23 (Emperor's Birthday), visitors are able to enter the inner palace grounds and see the members of the Imperial Family, who make several public appearances on a balcony

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[molovesvintage]

Nagasaki Pt. 2: West Meets East

Nagasaki Pt. 2: West Meets East

As my Japan tenure comes to a close, it’s time for some final travel tales. In April, I visited Nagasaki for a few days, and found much more than a city victimized by the atomic bomb. Click here for part one. 11 April 2021 I’m sitting at a filigree, wrought-iron garden table next to a fountain, sipping a Kirin beer. Down the hill to my left is a path that leads to a fancy tea room and a kitschy…

[aquafortia]

Japan Travelogue 2019 #3

31 January 2019-16 February 2019

PART 3: Hari Kedua, Sabtu 2 Februari 2019

29. Hari ini saya mengunjungi Nagasaki. Rencana sih mau naik kereta 5.55, tetapi kenyataannya berangkat baru sekitar pukul 6.00. Ternyata jadwal kereta selanjutnya pukul 6.33, dan selanjutnya lagi 7.17, agak panik juga saya karena baru sampai stasiun sekitar pukul 6.30. Untung saja peron untuk ke Nagasaki dekat jadi saya sudah duduk manis di kereta pukul 6.31. Perjalanan ke Nagasaki memakan waktu sekitar 122 menit dari Hakata dengan Limited Express Kamome.

30. Saya membeli tumbler starbucks Nagasaki di AMU Plaza. AMU Plaza Nagasaki tinggal keluar sedikit dari stasiun JR. Setelah itu saya membeli Nagasaki 1 day streetcar/tram pass seharga 500 yen. Sekali naik tram di sana 120 yen, sehingga pass ini akan balik modal dengan 5x naik tram. Menuju tempat-tempat wisata di Nagasaki lebih mudah dengan tram.

31. Setelah membeli tram pass, saya menuju Meganebashi Bridge. Megane artinya kacamata, dan jembatan ini dinamakan karena pondasinya yang berbentuk 2 setengah lingkaran yang berefleksi di permukaan air tampak seperti kacamata. Untuk menuju tempat ini dari stasiun tram Nagasaki ekimae naik tram line 3 turun di Civic Hall (Line 3) lalu jalan kaki sedikit. Sebenarnya ada stasiun Meganebashi Bridge tetapi dari Civic Hall pun sudah sangat dekat.

32. Selanjutnya saya menuju Shinchi Chinatown. Dari Meganebashi Bridge saya jalan ke stasiun Civic Hall (Line 4.5) lalu naik line 5 ke Shinchi Chinatown. Chinatown di sini saya lihat sebuah gang dengan beberapa toko, ada toko suvenir Tiongkok tentunya. Saya tidak tahu apa memang sepi atau masih pagi.

33. Tadinya saya hendak menaiki tram ke Oura Cathedral, namun karena sempat tersasar ketika berjalan dari Chinatown, ternyata Oura Cathedral sudah cukup dekat. Jadi saya lanjutkan berjalan ke Oura Cathedral. Saya hanya berfoto di luar karena masuknya bayar.

34. Dari Oura Cathedral saya masuk Glover Garden. Glover Garden merupakan bekas tempat tinggal Thomas Glover. Taman dan rumah bergaya western. Tiket masuk 610 yen. Menurut saya ini tempat yang cocok untuk bersantai. Saya dengar kalau malam di waktu-waktu tertentu ada illumination. Namun saya tidak sampai malam di sini.

35. Selanjutnya saya menuju Nagasaki Peace Park. Dari Glover Garden saya menuju stasiun Oura Cathedral dan naik tram ke stasiun Peace Park. Sayang sekali Peace Statue yang menjadi ikon Peace Park sedang direnovasi. Di beberapa taman di Nagasaki saya menemukan water fountain, sesuatu yang baru saya temukan setelah beberapa kali ke Jepang. Mungkin saja di kota-kota lain ada tetapi mungkin saya juga tidak pernah benar-benar mencarinya.

36. Dari Peace Park saya menuju Urakami Cathedral. Sebenarnya ada tram stop ke Urakami tetapi saya memilih jalan kaki. Di seberang Urakami Cathedral ada taman Tenshu Park, bisa bersantai dan juga ada toilet di sana (di Cathedral tidak ada toilet). Kita boleh masuk ke Urakami Cathedral gratis, tetapi akses ke altar ditutup (bisa melihat dari jauh).

37. Lalu saya menuju Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Dari stasiun Urakami saya menaiki tram sampai Atomic Bomb Museum. Tiket masuk 200 yen.

38. Lokasi terakhir yang saya datangi hari ini adalah Inasayama. Inasayama konon adalah top 3 pemandangan malam di dunia bersama Hongkong dan Monaco. Dari stasiun Atomic Bomb Museum naik tram ke stasiun Takaramachi lalu berjalan sekitar 1 km ke perhentian cable car/gondola. Tarif cable car pulang pergi 1.230 yen tetapi bisa mendapatkan diskon dengan menunjukkan kupon https://www.nagasaki-ropeway.jp/facility/coupon.php menjadi 1.100 yen. Waktu perjalanan sekitar 5 menit, dan cable car datang setiap 15-20 menit sekali. Kapasitas 1 cable car sekitar 30 orang. Sayang sekali hari itu matahari terbenam pukul 17.52, sehingga night view yang saya dapatkan kurang maksimal. Saya mengejar untuk menaiki kereta kembali ke Hakata pukul 18.53 sehingga saya tidak lama-lama di atas. Dan benar saya baru sampai bawah pukul 18.34 membuat saya harus berlari ke stasiun.

39. Saya kembali ke hostel sekitar pukul 21.20 dan bersiap-siap untuk berangkat ke Toyama besok untuk menuju Shirakawago.

Ongkos hari ini:

-Hakata - Nagasaki 4.190 yen

-Nagasaki - Hakata 4.190 yen

Akumulasi: JR 31.000 yen, non-JR 1.500 yen

Pengeluaran hari ini:

-Onigiri 120 yen

-Nagasaki tram pass 500 yen

-Glover Garden 610 yen

-Nagasaki Peace Museum 200 yen

B E R S A M B U N G...

[cloudy-knot]

2022/3/5(土)　アーチ橋

[kjs-life]

#スナップショット めがね橋 長崎 #写真好きな人と繋がりたい #写真撮ってる人と繋がりたい #写真部 #snapshot #Meganebashi #bridge #Nagasaki #iphone #instalike #amazing #igersphotography #myworldinonepicture (眼鏡橋) https://www.instagram.com/p/CU7O_5sll__/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ryusons]

めがね橋　 ここいらは落ち着くわあ。　 懐かしい思い出がいっぱいだよ。　 #めがね橋 #橋 #bridge #meganebashi #長崎 https://www.instagram.com/p/CEWWvlYAHpL/?igshid=1ri9d2uun156c

[nihonutsukushi]

The Meganebashi Bridge or Spectacles Bridge in Nagasaki - Japan

[barrychannel]

# 38 "Oosahiko Shrine Awa Ichinomiya (Oasahikojinja Awaichinomiya)" Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture Japan

[Superb view spots and Natural power spots in Japan] # 38 "Cannabis Hiko Shrine Awa Ichinomiya (Oasahikojinja Awaichinomiya)" Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture Japan Oasahiko Shrine is the Ichinomiya of Awa Province. "Ichinomiya" is the most venerable and central shrine in the country, and in ancient times it is said to be the highest name in the order in which the Kokushi worship the domestic shrines.

The deity of the Oasahiko Shrine is a power spot that enshrines two gods, the Oasahiko Okami and the Sarutahiko Okami. First of all, Oasahiko Ogami is another name for Tenta Tamai (Ame no Futodama Mikoto), who is said to have spread his wisdom when he hid Iwato of Amaterasu Omikami. It is said to be the god of breeding. On the other hand, Sarutahiko Ogami is a god in the shape of a tengu who is said to have lived in Mt. Cannabis. It will be enshrined together as a god who is related to the local area. It is also famous as a road-opening god and has benefits such as traffic safety.

The two pillar gods, such as the cannabis Hiko god and the Sarutahiko god, which are enshrined at the cannabis Hiko shrine in Tokushima, are collectively called "cannabis han". Oasahiko Shrine is still one of the power spots that are worshiped by many people because it has various benefits such as traffic safety mentioned earlier. Shinboku is also a symbol of such a cannabis shrine. Kusunoki, which is 22 meters high and has a trunk circumference of 8.3 meters, is over 1000 years old and is a large tree designated as a natural monument in Naruto City. The wide branches and leaves create a presence that surrounds the people who come to worship.

The mysterious appearance is the long-sought mirror pond. It is a pond dug by German soldiers who were housed in the Bando Prisoner's Camp near the Oasahiko Shrine during World War I. POWs are synonymous with prisoners of war, but the Bando Prisoner of War camp had a friendly relationship with them because they dealt with them in good faith. It is the long-sought mirror pond that took shape in that relationship. The stone spectacle bridge over the pond was also made by German soldiers as a proof of friendship. You can still cross the bridge and get a different view of the pond. The stone German Bridge made by German soldiers along with Meganebashi is a cultural property of Tokushima Prefecture's designated historic site. Currently, it is not possible to cross from the aspect of safety, but you can see the whole picture from the iron bridge next to it. If you look at the German Bridge, which is near the mountains and you can see and hear the flow of trees and rivers, you will be able to absorb negative ions and relax.

<Basic information on Oasahiko Shrine> Location: 13 Hirozuka, Bando, Oasa-cho, Naruto-shi, Tokushima Phone: 088-689-1212 business hours: ・ March-November 6: 00-17: 00 ・ December-February 6: 30-16: 30

access: ・ 15 minutes by car from Aizumi IC ・ 10 minutes by car from Itano IC ・ 20 minutes by car from Naruto IC

HP: http://www.ooasahikojinja.jp/kitou/

Recommended video ● [Cannabis Hiko Shrine] Awa Ichinomiya, the achievement of the tribe, Awa Channel https://youtu.be/yody96-DzbA ● Power Spot-Cannabis Hiko Shrine-HD https://youtu.be/qvMBilkhsRw ● Awa no Kuni Ichinomiya, Hiko Shrine https://youtu.be/dTR0s1_ruSc

You planning a trip! !! If you go on a trip, I recommend Japan. Please come to Japan for a trip. We'll be expecting you! !!

[jasper1chad]

Four weeks ago, I uploaded a short Nagasaki slideshow entitled "Nagasaki 75". It's on my YouTube Channel (Discovering Nagasaki from a Local).

Here are the descriptions for all 75 photos on this slideshow.

1 Peace Park

2 Dejima Wharf

3 Suwa Temple

4 Hirado Bridge

5 Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)

6 Iojima Ferry

7 Unzen

8 Tall Ship Festival

9 Hirado Castle

10 Iris (Hanashobu)

11 Inasayama

12 Nagasaki Harbor

13 Urakami Church

14 Sasebo Bridge

15 Hydrangea (Ajisai)

16 Suzuta Valley

17 Goto Ferry

18 26 Martyrs Shrine

19 Nagasaki Lantern Festival

20 Wisteria (Fuji)

21 Nagasaki Tram

22 Nagasaki Obon

23 Sonogi Tea/Rice Farm

24 Shimabara Castle

25 Spider Lily (Higanbana) & Butterfly 26 Inasa Tower

27 Hasami Pottery

28 Goto Beach

29 Yosakoi

30 Bougainvillea (Bugenbiria)

31 Dragon Boat

32 Huis Ten Bosch

33 Magame Bridge (Nagasaki)

34 Glover Garden View

35 Narcissus (Suisen)

36 Omura Park

37 Meganebashi (Isahaya)

38 Iojima Beach

39 Suzuta Market

40 Magnolia (Mokuren)

41 Nagasaki Art Museum

42 Rytosen Waterfall

43 Nagasaki Station

44 Nakaojo Park Bridge

45 Snow Willow (Yukiyanagi)

46 26 Martyrs Church

47 Azalea Park (Omura)

48 Busharito

49 Nagasaki Chinatown

50 Cosmos (Kozumosu)

51 Kayaze Dam

52 Nagasaki Sea Festival

53 Sakyoji Temple

54 Obama Harbor

55 Crape Myrtle (Sarusuberi)

56 Omura Boat Race

57 Nagasaki Okunchi

58 Nagasaki Canal

59 Catamaran Ferry

60 Daffodil (Rappa Suisen)

61 Lantern Festival Acrobats

62 Nagasaki Airport

63 Nagasaki Buddha Statue

64 Local Fishing Harbor in Shimabara

65 Yaezakura

66 Fugen Dake

67 Nagasaki Cruise Ship

68 Nodake

69 Cosmos Stadium (Isahaya)

70 Pumpkin & Moth

71 Glover Garden Building

72 Meganebashi (Nagasaki)

73 Nagasaki Harbor (Mt. Inasa view)

74 Suzuta Rice Harvest

75 Plum (Ume) & Mejiro Bird

[newtypezaku]

The most impressive bridge on the trail is the Meganebashi, which is itself a popular sightseeing spot. From here, the trail begins a sharp (well, sharp if you’re a train) descent towards Usui Lake.

[tundrafoot]

An ‘Actual’ Guide to Western Kyushu Pt. 2

So my first (or technically second) guide was about Kyushu as a whole, and I’m so glad folks found it useful! 

This time around, I wanted to focus on my home prefecture, Nagasaki! So put on your reading caps and let’s がんばらんば！

What’s Nagasaki at a glance?

Hills.

Water.

Islands.

That’s about it.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

But in all seriousness, Nagasaki (translating to long cape in English) is a prefecture filled with beautiful hills, sparkling sea, and plenty of islands. Although I don’t use Nagasaki’s airport often, the first time I flew in, the view was stunning. You see this gorgeous bay below you, and it feels like you’re about to land on water.

(courtesy of the Nagasaki airport website)

Hills  

The reason I joke about hills is because I both love and hate them. You can get in a lot of hiking and exploring, and you can always count on getting the most picture-perfect landscape photo. I mean, Mt. Inasa in Nagasaki city has one of the top night views in Japan. And then there is Mt. Unzen, a dormant volcano that is also home to a few onsen towns.  

However, during let’s say… peak summer, those hills and slopes aren’t so enjoyable to climb up on your way to your apartment or school. And when you’re driving, some of those mountain paths can be so narrow that can’t help but curse under your breath while simultaneously praying that your car doesn’t stall or fall of the ledge.

But it’s a worth it.

Water

On one side of the prefecture is mountains and hills, but the other side is water. Ocean. Sea as far as the eye can… see. And that’s what makes Nagasaki so beautiful. How can you not feel your heart pitter-patter a bit when you’re driving (or taking the train) along the coastline? I’m a water kid. As long as there is a body of water within reasonable distance, I’m as happy as a clam.

Although I beaches might not compare to Okinawa, there are still some real treasures. And the water is the perfect temperature. I will admit though, if you’re a freshwater kid like me, the sea creatures you encounter might take some getting used to. For example, I learned that I am afraid of being stung by a jellyfish. And stepping on sea urchins.  I have yet to do either, but I still fear it. On the plus side, this also means some of the freshest seafood around. During one of our ensokus (school hikes), one of the teachers brought his fishing gear for the students to use. One of the kids managed to catch a fish and could bring it home to cook! So, the sea might be scary, but it’s also tasty.

Islands

Nagasaki not only has the most islands in comparison to any other prefecture, but we also have the most inhabited islands. So much so that many teachers are expected to do a stint on an island at one point during their career. Which also means that as an ALT, your placement might be on an island as well. But don’t take that as a bad thing. The islands have the prefecture’s most beautiful beaches and some incredibly unique history.

So I’ve given you a pretty decent look at the topography and climate of Nagasaki, but obviously it’s so much more than just that.

 Okay, so what else is so cool about it?

Nagasaki is unique in a lot of ways because of it’s history as being the gateway to Japan. A lot of what we consider to be ‘Nagasaki culture’ comes from our trade with the Dutch, Chinese, and Portuguese. Our local foods include castella, a sponge cake brought over from Portugal in the 16th century, and champon, a noodle dish made by a Chinese restaurant owner during the Meiji era.

If you’re into Christian history, then Nagasaki has several of the oldest churches in Japan and many of them became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018. This is all a part of the ‘Hidden Christians’, who were persecuted during the 16th century. Even if you’re not particularly religious, they’re still cool buildings to visit and learn about. And if you are religious (and specifically Christian), then chances are you’ll be able to find a church where you can attend services.

Of course, one of the biggest historical events (and most tragic), would be the Atomic Bombing during WWII, which we hold a memorial every year at the Peace Park in August. Other things I learned about living here was that there were also several air raids around the prefecture. My city of Sasebo has a moment of silence every year right before the summer holiday. One of my schools also has a historical site right beside it; a secret cave that was used as both a hospital and school after the school in the area was bombed.

While this isn’t specific to Nagasaki prefecture, if you like Taisho era architecture, you’ll also get a chance to see some impressive tunnels and buildings. Some of my favorites are the Hario radio transmitters and the old Hyuga Tunnel.

This is just a glance at what is fascinating about the area as a whole. Once you get here, you’ll start to get a feel for the even finer details. Honestly, it feels like every town has their own little bit of history, so I urge you to talk to the locals in your area to learn even more.

Okay, now that you have an overview of the prefecture, I’ll try to give you a bit of a taste of what to expect in your city!

 I’m moving to Nagasaki City

Capital of the prefecture and the biggest city with the most ALTs in the prefecture. When I complain about hilly drives and narrow streets, Nagasaki City takes the gold. But obviously, there is more to this port city than just that. Nagasaki City is great if you’re interested in history. They have a number of historical buildings, museums and monuments scattered around the city that are open to the public. They are trying harder to make the area more to make the information more accessible to foreigners as well, translating many things into English, Korean and Chinese.

Two of my favorite festivals in Nagasaki City are Okunchi, which is held in the fall, and the Lantern Festival, which is held around Chinese New Year.

Getting around the city is fairly easy, and it’s one of the places in the prefecture that you don’t need a car. You can grab the train, bus, or tram which are all very reliable. You can also get pretty much everything that you need, shopping wise. There is a large arcade, as well as two shopping centers; Amu Plaza and Cocowalk.

It’s also very easy to pick up a hobby in this city. I go to Nagasaki once a week for naginata practice, but I also know other folks who practice iaido, hanga, rock climbing, and lots of other fun things.

I’m moving to the Sasebo Area

Oh hey! This is where I currently live, so expect this entry to be even more biased than everything else.

Sasebo is the second biggest city in the prefecture, and home to both the Japanese and American naval bases. It’s also home to a very peculiar but super enjoyable Dutch-themed theme park; Huis Ten Bosch. It’s an homage of sorts to Nagasaki’s old ties with the Netherlands. 

We also have some great views, such as the 99 islands (featured in the movie the Last Samurai), and we are apparently the birthplace of Japanese style spinning tops (Beyblade style). Our ‘local delicacies’ are the Sasebo burger and lemon steak. If you’re a bar person, than we more than our fair share, being a port town and all. We actually hold a Bar Hop every year during the fall/winter time.

I love Sasebo. It’s incredibly comfortable to live here. You get a nice balance of small city life with the rural nature only a stone’s throw away. Some people get a little disappointed that they’re stationed near an American base because they’re worried they won’t get an authentic ‘Japanese’ experience. To be honest, I was one of those people when I first found out that I would be moving here. I’ll tell you now to do away with that attitude, because every experience in Japan is a Japanese experience. I’ve had a chance to meet all sorts of people living here both born and raised here and also from abroad.

I’m moving to an island

If you got an island, chances are you’re going to Goto, Tsushima, Iki, or Ojika. They are incredibly beautiful, but this is coming from a visitor rather than someone who is actually living on one

From what I’ve been told, island life is what you imagine it to be; slow paced, an older population, beautiful beaches and lots of fresh seafood. You also get some of the best beach parties, marathons, and sunsets. The islands in Nagasaki are accessible either by ferry or plane and are usually connected to either Fukuoka, Nagasaki, or Sasebo ports.

If you are an outdoorsy and small-town person, then these placements are perfect for you. If this is your first time away from ‘civilization’, you might feel a little isolated at times, but if you try to join the local community, it’ll help a lot!

I’m moving to Omura/Isahaya

I actually feel really bad because Omura and Isahaya are two of the places I’ve been to the least, but I know that there are a lot of cool people there. So I’m sorry that this post will not be doing it justice. Here is a great video though that city recently made that a lot of Omura acquaintances and friends of mine said really encompass how they feel.

Omura is the fourth largest city in the prefecture and home to Nagasaki Airport! So, while the rest of us still have another hour or so drive, you guys are very lucky.

Omura used to be a castle town, ruled by the Omura clan for a good 900 years. In fact, you can still explore some of the castle ruins as well as a gorgeous area to do sakura viewing during the spring.  

There are always international events going on in the city thanks to their international center (where a lot of the programs are run by a former JET!), so you’ll get a chance to connect with the community pretty easily!

Isahaya is the third largest city and hometown of the Japanese gymnast (and Olympic gold medalist) Kohei Uchimura. It is also the city where the original Meganebashi (Spectacles Bridge) is kept and preserved.

These are both fairly new events, but during the springtime there is a Gourmet Festival as well as a Yabusame event held in the city. Yabusame is a must see for anyone who is interested in traditional Japanese culture.

I’m moving to the Higashisonogi District

The Higashisonogi area is in-between Omura and Sasebo and includes three towns; Hasami, Kawatana, and Higashisonogi. While they are on the small side, each place has their own little specialty!

Hasami is right near the border of Saga and is part of the porcelain belt. That means it’s one of the towns that has a 400-year history with origin of Japanese porcelain, which was brought over from Korea and China. Their signature style is a white and blue underglaze. Hasami is a quaint and cute and I make trips there every now and then. Their biggest festival is the Hasami-yaki Matsuri, which takes place during Golden Week. As you can expect, it’s where you can buy tons of porcelain and pottery from around the area.

Kawatana is a party townnnn!

Or that’s what I like to jokingly call it because one of my schools often has staff parties in this town. It really does have a number of delicious restaurants, including my favorite hot pot place, つばさ. Kawatana is right by Omura Bay, making for an incredibly picturesque view. What it is probably best known for is it’s peacock park, which was a gift from India, as a symbol of friendship between the two cities.

Lastly is Higashi Soonogi (what the district is named after! Or is it vice versa?). Higashi Soonogi is best known for growing green tea and you can see several rows of the bushes around the town. According to a friend of mine, Higashi Soonogi is also one of the towns that has a decently large community of folks who have moved from Tokyo and Sendai not long after the earthquake. This is because Nagasaki prefecture is an area that has the least amount of natural disasters in Japan, and Higashisonogi is a good place to set up a business. I would also like to point out that this town has a lot of great off lovely ‘off the beaten track’ trails, where you feel as though you are walking right into a Ghibli movie. One of those places is Chiwata! I would recommend you talk to the local ALTs and Higashisonogijin more about it!

 I’m moving to Hokubu Area

When we’re talking Hokubu, we usually mean Hirado, Matsuura and Saza! Hirado was known to be a port city where a lot of trade between Japan and Asian countries occurred. It’s also the burial site of William Adams, the first recorded Englishman to travel to Japan. 

Matsuura’s name to fame is that it was the area of the Mongol invasion failed due to typhoons. There is a lot to discover in the area if you are a history buff, or you’re big on beaches, camping and hiking! The area is truly breathtaking. In fact it’s so beautiful, that many Japanese car commercials are filmed on the island of Ikitsuki.

Saza is one of the only towns within the Sasebo area to not actually merge with the city and it’s very proud of that! It also has a saltwater river that runs through the town, which is a very unique feature to the town. 

The one thing about the area is that it can be a little hard to get around via public transportation, so it’s best to get a car if you can!

 I’m moving to the Unzen/Shimabara

Or as most ALTs I know from the area lovingly call it ‘The Hanto’. Amakusa National park was actually one of the first national parks in Japan, so you can expect a lot of great hiking in this area, as well as onsen!

Mt. Unzen is actually an active volcano, that last erupted in 1996, but I wouldn’t about that happening anytime soon. The town has a bit of a Dutch feel to it, which is yet another nod to Nagasaki’s ties to the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Shimabara is a castle town, is known for the Shimabara Rebellion, which was during the Edo period when there was persecution of Christians as well as mismanagement in the government. You can also check out Obama, which is known for it’s cold onsens, and of course, having the same name as the former United States president. You can also expect the area to have a lot of off the beaten track restaurants.

I’m no expert of the area, but we do have another Tumblr JET @wandereranddreamer here to answer your questions!

 I’m moving to Saikai/Nishi Sonogi

Do you love Capybara and beaches? Excellent, because this area has both! As you’ve probably guessed, Saikai is on the western part of Omura Bay. Saikai has Biopark, which is a zoo, but where the animals are actually able to run around and have their own space! You can feed and pet capybara, mara, monkeys, and so much more. There is also a lot of green spaces, such as the Nagasaki Forest Prefectural Park, a number of beaches, and a few islands accessible by bridges. It is a little bit inaka, so you’ll probably need a car to get around! But it’s well worth it. And if you get a little too tired of the countryside, you are perfectly situation right inbetween both Sasebo and Nagasaki.

 I still want more information!!!

Oh wow, okay! Well, if you are really super curious, might I suggest reading up on the Nagazasshi? It’s a local (and free) English magazine, all about the prefecture. It’s a great magazine, and I’m not just saying that because I was a former editor for it, ahaha.  

If you are into movies, anime, or manga then you can check out these titles that take place in Nagasaki Prefecture

Kids on the Slope (Manga, Anime, Movie) – A coming of age story that takes place during the 1960s, Sasebo.

Silence (Movie) – All about the spread and persecution of Christianity in Nagasaki.

Aoi no Hana, Utsuwa no Mori (Manga)- A josei manga that is all about love and pottery in Hasami

Barakumon (Manga, Anime)- The story of a professional calligrapher who moves from the big city a tiny town on the islands of Goto

Irudoku: The World in Colors-  Hitomi Tsukishiro is a teenage girl from a family of witches who loses her sense of colors. She travels back in time to the year 2018 and meets the 17-year-old version of her grandmother.

Phew, well. I think that’s about all I can offer for this post. If you’ve read through this all, awesome! I hope you’ve found it useful!

[tokiotours]

📍Meganebashi Bridge, Nagasaki ❤️ Heart-shaped stones have been hidden in various rock-works around the city so be sure to keep your eyes peeled along Nakashima River - for those lucky enough to find them, good luck, happiness and eternal love is coming your way!❤️ Meganebashi (眼鏡橋, lit. Spectacles Bridge) is the most remarkable of several stone bridges that span the Nakashima River in downtown Nagasaki. The bridge, which gets its name from the resemblance it has to a pair of spectacles when reflected in the river water, is a popular tourist attraction and is designated as an important cultural property. The bridge was originally built in 1634, its construction overseen by the Chinese monk who would go on to become the resident priest of Kofukuji Temple, which is located a short walk away. The bridge, along with many of the others along the river, was badly damaged by floodwaters in 1982, but has since been repaired with recovered stones. There is a stone walkway along the river bank that makes for a pleasant stroll with nice views of the water and bridges. The walkway has a tranquil atmosphere and is accessed by steps from street level positioned at various points along the river. 👉 Don’t forget to book your experienced local award winning guide through Tokiotours if you are planning to come to Japan! Www.tokiotours.nl 📷 : @yamachan.z ⤴︎ Share ⤴︎ ⤴︎ Welcome #tokiotours #meganebashi #nagasaki #travelling #traveler #tourism #travelingram #igtravel #asia #traveller #travelblog #tourist #travelblogger #traveltheworld #roadtrip #instatraveling #instapassport #instago #여행 #outdoors #bridge #mytravelgram #traveladdict #world #lonelyplanet (at Nagasaki Meganebashi - สะพานแว่นตา) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTNtB4Xsdle/?utm_medium=tumblr

[lluxoperon]

Meganebashi (eyeglass bridge) and Fushimi Turret. East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Chiyoda City. Tokyo, 2019. • #imperialpalace #meganebashibridge #fushimi #water #reflection #place • #tokyo #japan #asia #tokyocameraclub #team_jp_ #team_jp #icu_japan #explorejapan #instapassport #thecreative #artofvisuals #aroundtheworldpix #ig_masterpiece #theprettycities #flashesofdelight #travelog #wandering #alwaysexploring #travel #fujifeed #fujifilm_global #myfujifilm #fujixclub #fujiframez (at Imperial Palace Garden Tokyo, Japan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFuVa2gBYVF/?igshid=bvzw6p84a8og

[jmjjeje]

This is my town, Annaka! Meganebashi (lovingly named so because of its resemblance to eyeglasses) is Japan’s largest brick arch bridge and was built in 1892. Annaka is surrounded by beautiful greenery with the famous Mount Myogi in the backdrop. We were lucky to join the Abandoned Railway Walk and learned about the history of the Shin’etsu Line Railway which ended service between Yokokawa Station and Karuizawa Station on September 30, 1997. It was interesting to walk into the first of twenty-five tunnels at the former Kumanodaira Station and watch the news clips from 1997 on the day this railway ended its services. #めがね橋 #廃線ウォーク #あんとりっぷ #群馬のいいとこ伝え隊 #安中市 #gunmanoiitoko #visitgunma (at めがね橋) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD0mYMJgiX-/?igshid=1vixgh1he9e37

[aussiboris]

Kumamoto; the broken castle and Nagasaki where East met West

19th July 2019

A direct flight from Komaki airport took us to Kumamoto the starting point for our Kyushu adventure. 

Kumamoto Castle 

A castle at Kumamoto has existed since 1469. It has been added to and changed through the years and was the scene of a the large battle during the South West War - the Satsuma rebellion of the Samurai. It sustained heavy damage in 2016 from an earthquake that caused walls and buildings to collapse. We have been told on various guided tours that the old original castles are safer places to be during an earthquake as the wooden structures are designed to move and flex without breaking however the strength of this one damaged the very foundations of the castle.

The castle is now undergoing an extensive rebuild. Some parts have been dismantled with stones being painstakingly labelled to ensure as many original materials can be used as possible.

Kumamoto culture

The city of Kumamoto and Nagasaki add to their historical ambience with the traditional tram for transportation. We were excited to see one branded with the Rugby World Cup.

Kumamoto is also famous for its cuddly mascot Kumamon. It was originally designed to help publicise the opening of the shinkansen line in Kyushu. Within a year it had been voted the most popular mascot in Japan and was drawing visitors to Kumamoto prefecture. Part of the mascots success is that its image is licence free as long as it is promoting Kumamoto prefecture.

After a quick explore of Kumamoto we got on a bus for Nagasaki. At this point a typhoon was side swiping the coast so we were glad we were in a cosy bus for 3 hours. However it was still throwing it down when we got off the bus so we got suitably soaked getting to our hotel.

Nagasaki China Town

When the rain finally abated we ventured to Nagasaki’s China town. It is pretty small covering just one city block but is the oldest in Japan. Nagasaki was the only open port opened to trade during the Tokagawan period so the Chinese traders were the only foreigners along with the Dutch allowed into Japan. They were only allowed as far as the China town island and the Dutch were confined to Dejima. 

The Portuguese influence

Our hotel was in the Portuguese style this is in homage to the Japo-Portugese heritage of Nagasaki. Until 1543 Nagasaki was a small fishing village. Then  Portuguese explorers arrived and made contact. Soon after Portuguese ships became regular trade visitors opening Japan up to the rest of the world.

Nagasaki Peace Park

Nagasaki has a rich history at one point being regarded as the only window to the Western world, being the birthplace of Christianity in Japan through to being the site of the 27 crucified Japanese martyrs when the government decided to rid Japan of all foreign influence. It is also known in more recent history as being the place where 35,000 people were killed by an atomic bomb. 

To ensure this horrific moment in history is not forgotten there is a museum and  Peace park with statues sent from around the world engraved with promises of continued peace.

It is not as cohesively designed as Hiroshima’s Park but there are spaces away from the foreign offerings and artistic interpretations that are raw remnants that bring home the reality of what the place has witnessed. The black pillar signifying ground zero a stark reminder, the charred and broken remains of the cathedral’s arch a signal to the devastation.

Next to these witnesses to history is a monument for hope, hung with the colourful symbols of peace the origami cranes. Opposite this is a relief which shares what must be learnt from this moment in history. 

The women at home prayed for victory as their men departed for the battlefields. But then the blood of countless peoples was shed on the vast continents and the far away islands.

Finally in 1945 as the war escalated, it brought the tragedies of the Okinawa islands followed by the inhuman atomic bomb attacks over Hiroshima on the 5th and Nagasaki on the 9th of August.

Ah! Oh that unforgettable day, in an instantaneous blast of indescribable heat, the bodies of tens of thousands of men and women, mother and children were hideously burnt to death.

After more than forty years, the agony continues ever yet! Danger signs of a second nuclear war permeates our very existence. The earth stands at the brink of total Oblivion.

We must not allow anymore war! Nor the use of atomic weapons! Let us guard our precious green earth and preserve all life of every kind.

We erect this relief, still hearing the bursting cries on that day of each of those women long silenced in death. Bringing together all the turmoil from the depth of their tortured hearts and minds, we pledge ourselves never to repeat that disaster.

August 1, 1987

Nagasaki Museum of history and Culture

Hopping between rain showers we made it to the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture which shares Nagasaki’s rich trading history. They even have a short interactive play that dramatises a dispute over a traditional boat race.

After absorbing as much history as we could we got a chance to play in the team lab where the walls and floors are interactive artwork.

Meganebashi

Or Spectacles Bridge is one of seven bridges that stretches across Nakashima River in Nagasaki. It was originally built in 1634 with construction being overseen by a Chinese monk. It is a famous landmark in Nagasaki and popular with tourists due to its appearance of looking like spectacles when the bridge casts the right reflection in the river.

Our last day in Nagasaki we were lucky enough to have a local tour guide. 

We got to see, Oura Church the the oldest standing Christian church in Japan. Glover gardens where Thomas Glover, a Scottish merchant had his home. Glover was an important figure in the development of industrial Japan. In fact from his dwelling you can see the original home of Mitsubishi Ship building. 

We also got to taste Nagasaki delicacies as well as visiting Sofukuji Temple which was originally built for Nagasaki’s Chinese community. Lastly we visited the former Dutch trading station, Dejima.

There is much to see in Nagasaki - I think we gave it a good go. Apart from all its history it has great food particularly the Castella cakes, and fun nightlife.

[joaneeeeeeee]

"Because a little bit of summer is what the whole year is all about" . . . #MeganebashiBridge #SpectaclesBridge #Nagasaki #Kyushu #Japan #Summer #SummerinJapan #Wanderlust #JoaneeesWanderlust #LMxKamiseta #JohnMayer #MermaidHairDontCare #ForeverSummer (at めがね橋電停 (Meganebashi Bridge Sta.)) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1EcPOCHmfj/?igshid=1anqopjkaw1gx