Tag: nagasaki
Your Complete Nagasaki Itinerary: Hills, History and Happy Days
Located on the southern Kyushu Island, Nagasaki is a different kind of Japanese city. When the nation’s borders were closed to much of the world, it served as the main access point for foreign trade and the Chinese, Portuguese and Dutch influences...
Exploring Fukue Island: A Goto Island Adventure in Nagasaki
The Goto Islands are an archipelago of 140 islands located off the west coast of Kyushu. As the name would suggest, there are five main islands, the southernmost of which, Fukue, is the largest in the chain. Goto is famous for its...
Rare Treasures and Chinese Architecture at Nagasaki Confucius Shrine
On my first day in Nagasaki, I wanted to explore the cluster of historical attractions in the city’s south-east, to learn more about the interesting mix of cultures that make up modern-day Nagasaki. First on my route was the Confucius Shrine (or...
Doza and Shianbashi: Secret Shrines and Nagasaki Nightlife
I first stepped into Shianbashi, Nagasaki’s best nightlife area, around lunchtime. It was predictably quiet, with most places shuttered up after a long night’s trade. I would witness the infamous evening atmosphere a bit later on, but...
Nagasaki’s ‘Apple Rock’: A Photographer’s Delight
Apple Rock at Kakidomarimachi's Shirahama Beach is a fantastic photography spot.
It might sound strange, but picture this.
A boulder the shape of an apple with a big bite taken...
Meganebashi Bridge: Nagasaki’s Optical Overpass
Nagasaki is a city of interesting architecture, hilly streets and top-notch views. In other words: a joy to explore. If you’re a fan of this brand of urban charm, one spot you won’t want to miss is...
Oura Church: A Beacon for Christians in Nagasaki
Bernard Thaddée Petitjean - one of the founders of Oura Church
Depending on where you’re from, it’s probably not a big deal to come across a Catholic church in your travels. In Japan, though, where just 1% of the...
Goto Udon: One Heavenly Hell Pot
Japan is a haven for noodle lovers. With various types and even more regional variations, there’s something for everyone. Among the heavy hitters is udon, a thick, wheat noodle beloved by locals. In summer, it can be...
Gunkanjima Digital Museum: Preserving Hashima’s Human Experience
Life on Hashima is of great fascination to me. In the 1950s, this tiny coal mining island, just 160m wide and 480m long, was the most densely populated place on earth. Over 5,000 people lived, worked and...
Explore the Decaying ‘Battleship Island’ on a Gunkanjima Cruise
I have a morbid fascination with abandonments. They are symbols of death, bankruptcy, modernisation and economic downturn. Their grimy shadows hide secrets, their decaying decor illuminates history and their silence speaks volumes. Oftentimes, once the decision has been made to walk away,...
