| | Overview (Source: Frommers) |
1,329km (826 miles) W of Tokyo; 152km (95 miles) SW of Fukuoka Unlike Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Beppu, and other well-known Kyushu destinations, Nagasaki doesn't have a castle, a famous landscaped garden, or hot-spring spas. Rather, its charm is much more subtle. Many people in Japan -- including foreign residents -- consider this city one of the country's most beautiful. It's a place of hills rising from the deep, U-shaped harbor with boats and ferries chugging back and forth, of houses perched on terraced slopes, of small streets and distinctive neighborhoods, and of people extremely proud of their hometown. Without a doubt, Nagasaki is one of Japan's most livable cities, despite its population of 454,000 residents. It's also perhaps Japan's most cosmopolitan city, with a unique blend of outside cultures interwoven into its history, architecture, food, and festivals. Nagasaki, capital of Nagasaki Prefecture and located on the northwest coast of Kyushu, opened its harbor to European vessels in 1571 and became a port of call for Portuguese and Dutch ships; Chinese merchants soon followed and set up their own community. Along with traders came St. Francis Xavier and other Christian missionaries, primarily from Portugal and Spain, who found many converts among the local Japanese. During Japan's more than 200 years of isolation, only Nagasaki was allowed to conduct trade with outsiders and thus served as the nation's window on the rest of the world. Even today, Japanese com
....
[ read more on Nagasaki.. ]
|
| History (Source: WCities) | Top | For a city with a momentous recent history, Nagasaki's early existence was remarkably mundane. There was some limited contact with China in towns to the north, but Nagasaki itself was basically a secluded harbor village. Its people lived in historical obscurity until contact with European explorers in the mid-16th century. Following the accidental landing of a Portuguese ship in 1542 at Kagoshima Prefecture, the zealous Christian missionary Francis Xavier arrived in another part of the territory in 1549. Xavier, left for China in 1551 (dying soon after departure), but his followers converted a number of daimyo (warlords), the most notable of whom was Omura Sumitada. His conversion was to prove profitable, as a deal was struck in which he would receive a proportion of the trade from Portuguese ships at a port that the two parties established in 1571. This port was Nagasaki. It would not take long before the little harbor village bloomed into a diverse port city. Its cosmopolitan fame spread quickly, with people all over Japan craving things Portuguese, such as tobacco, bread, tempura, sponge-cake and clothing. The Portuguese also brought with them many goods of Chinese origin. The port's prosperity was threatened, however, in 1587, when a new Japanese shogun , Hideyoshi Toyotomi, came to power. His anxiety over the extent of Christian influence in southern Japan caused him to order the expulsion of all missionaries. Nagasaki's administrative control, which
....
[ read more on Nagasaki.. ]
|
| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | Getting There: By Air: Nagasaki is serviced by the Nagasaki Airport ( http://www.nabic.co.jp/english ). Its terminals house the following airlines: Air Japan ( +81 0120 02 9120/ http://www.air-japan.co.jp/ ) Air Nippon ( +81 0120 029 333/ http://www.air-nippon.co.jp/ ) All Nippon Airways ( +81 0354 35 0333/ http://svc.ana.co.jp/eng/index.html ) JALways ( +81 0354 60 0511/ http://www.jalways.co.jp ) Japan Airlines ( +81 0354 60 0511/ http://www.jal.co.jp/e/index.html ) Korean Air ( +81 0476 32 7561/ http://www.koreanair.com/ ) Taxi and buses offer transportation to your final destination. The Nagasaki and Nagasaki Kenei bus lines provide transportation into the city. Godo Taxi is one suc service and By Train: Nagasaki is located on the Nagasaki Honsen Line. The JR ( http://www.japanrail.com ) Nagasaki Station is easily accessible to the rest of the city. By Bus: Highway buses offer transportation to destinations throughout Japan. By Car: Nagasaki can be reached via the Tarami Interchange. Getting Around: Four tram lines connect Nagasaki. Local buses and taxis are also abundant.
....
[ read more on Nagasaki.. ]
|
| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | Entertainment of the type known in Nagasaki generally takes place on a small scale. It is, after all, a provincial city. This means that there are not any huge blow-out concerts, frenzied sporting events in mega-stadiums, or unbridled parties in public parks. Do not be discouraged however, as there is plenty of fun to be had in Nagasaki. One of the best free entertainment in Nagasaki is provided by the major festivals. During these times, the citizens-and numerous visitors as well-turn out en masse for celebrations. The Kunchi Festival , with its origin rooted in Chinese culture, runs for three days in October and is perhaps the largest and most anticipated. The others, while smaller, are hardly less energetic or inspiring. The Nagasaki Chinese Lantern Festival , held each winter, is similar to Kunchi Festival in its demonstration of Chinese influence, celebrating the Chinese New Year with dragon dances and lantern displays in China Town. Another exciting festival reflecting the European influence is the Peiron Regatta Championships (a type of boat race), the final race of which is held in late July. Although Nagasaki does not hold any huge sporting events, there is a public sports area- Matsuyama Park -which encompasses a baseball stadium, a track, a rugby and soccer field, several pools and numerous open areas for sporting activities. If you are looking for athletic entertainment away from the city, pay a visit to the Ikoi no Mori grass ski park or the Nom
....
[ read more on Nagasaki.. ]
Get another perspective from.. |
| |
