Off The Beaten Path - Nagasaki

It's both unfortunate – and important – that the name Nagasaki is synonymous with the dropping of the atomic bomb. Unquestionably, this history overshadows everything else, yet today Nagasaki is a vibrant, charming and totally unique gem that begs to be explored far beyond the bomb museums, monuments and memorials. Not that the WWII history can be overlooked or denied: it's as much a part of the city's fabric as the hilly landscape and cobblestones. A visit to the scenes of atomic devastation can be part of the experience, but you'll find that this welcoming, peaceful city boasts a colorful trading history, alluring churches, shrines, temples and an East-meets-West culinary scene, set within a gracious harbor. A few days will let you scratch the surface, so plan for a week or more if you have the extra time and visit these hidden gems.

Nabekanmuriyama Park
A park in Nagasaki, Glover Gardens is the foremost tourist attraction, located on the Minamiyamate hillside overlooking Nagasaki harbor.  However, attached to Glover Gardens is the pathway up to the mountain observatory, and though it's views are said to be stunning the hike seems to be too daunting for the majority of travelers.

Coming out of the top of Glover Garden, follow the signs to the "mountain observatory". If you can handle 100s of stairs, the climb itself is marvelous taking you through the outskirt hills of town, then through a forest with some temples and finally to the Observatory. It's wonderful, you get a great 360 view of Nagasaki, the harbor, and Mt. Inasa. 

At night it is quite a different sight, especially if there are fireworks shows, but a lot of the trail is pitch dark, so be sure to have a light source at hand. Also, if walking is an issue, the views near the lifts that take you up from ground level are almost as amazing as those at the top. 

26 Martyrs Museum

The Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument were built on Nishizaka Hill in June 1962 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the canonization of the Christians executed on the site on February 5, 1597. The 26 people, a mixture of native Japanese Christians and European priests (20 Japanese, four Spaniards, one Mexican and one Indian) had been arrested in Kyoto and Osaka on the order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the national ruler, for preaching Christianity. 

The main theme inherent in both the museum and monument is "The Way to Nagasaki" – symbolizing not only the physical trek to Nagasaki but also the Christian spirit of the martyrs. The museum's collection includes important historical articles from both Japan and Europe (such as original letters from the Jesuit priest St Francis Xavier) as well as modern artistic works on the early Christian period in Japan. The displays are arranged chronologically into three periods: the early Christian propagation, the martyrdoms, and the persistence of Christianity underground during the persecution.

The main monument with and extensive bronze depicting the Twenty-Six Martyrs, was designed by Japanese sculptor, Yasutake Funakoshi. The work took Funakoshi four years to complete.

Sofukuji Temple

Sōfuku-ji is an Ōbaku Zen temple that was built by the Chinese monk Chaonian in 1629 as the family temple of the Chinese from Fujian Province who settled in Nagasaki.

Two of its buildings have been designated as national treasures. The red entrance gate and other structures in the precincts are rare examples of the architecture of South China during the Ming dynasty. The goddess of the sea, Maso, is enshrined in the Masodo, along with other life-sized statues in the main hall. In the temple grounds is a large cauldron made by the resident priest Qianhai to cook gruel for people who were starving during the famine of 1681. The Chinese Bon Festival is held here from July 26 to 28 (by lunar calendar), with Chinese coming from all over Japan to participate in the ritual for the dead. 

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. 

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