Geography
This prefecture is located in the western part of the island of Kyushu, as well as on a number of coastal islands, including the island of Tsushima. Islands make up up to half of the prefecture's territory. The coast of Nagasaki Prefecture faces the East China Sea. The climate here is humid, subtropical.
History
Historically, due to its geographical location, the territory of modern Nagasaki Prefecture was for Japan a “window to the world”, a place from where human migration came to the country from East Asia during the Yayoi era, and the latest technological and cultural achievements, including Buddhism, came to the country. In the Middle Ages, Nagasaki and Hirado became major seaports. It was from here that the Westernization of Japan took place; in 1859, the port of Nagasaki was declared open to foreign ships. In 1945, Nagasaki became the second city to be subjected to nuclear bombing. After the war the city was completely restored. The prefecture is home to the largest Christian community in Japan.
Culture, attractions
and entertainment
Nagasaki is a very atypical city in Japan in the sense that there are more Christian churches than Shinto and Buddhist temples combined! Oura Catholic Church, built in the nineteenth century in neo-Gothic style, has the status of a “National Treasure of Japan”.
Another monument to Western influence in the city is the island of Dejima, which was first a Portuguese and then a Dutch trading post during Japan's two centuries of isolation. In addition, the Glover Gardens on Dutch Hill are also interesting in this sense: it is an open-air museum where old mansions of Western merchants are located.
The Chinese influence on the city is evidenced by the local Chinatown, called Shinchi, with the richest selection of Chinese dishes in local restaurants, as well as the Sokufuji Temple, built at one time, in the seventeenth century, for the Chinese residents of the city, and the Confucius Temple (Koshi -byo").
Nagasaki Peace Park commemorates the atomic bombing of August 9, 1945. In its center there is a huge Statue of Peace, and next to it there is a memorial black pillar on which the names of all the victims are engraved.
Among the natural attractions of Nagasaki, one can highlight Mount Inasa, which is exactly 333 meters high. It is located near the city center and you can also climb to its top by cable car. From there you have a very beautiful view of the city.
You can fly to Nagasaki from Tokyo by plane from Haneda Airport in two hours.
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