Sasebo & Nagasaki - let's go! (part 1)

 This time we're going back to Sasebo for some unfinished business and then we're heading to Nagasaki for some new adventures!

We flew into Nagasaki Airport early in the day and then we took a train to Arita so we could visit the Kyushu Ceramic Museum. From Arita train station to the museum is only about a 10 minute walk.

For anyone that enjoys ceramic pottery this museum is a must see place.

The museum covers the history of ceramic pottery in Japan and the relationships and influences of  Europe on the manufacturing and exporting of fine Japanese Chinaware to Europe. 

The museum has so many exquisite pieces of Chinaware on exhibition. 

After leaving the museum we took a train to Sasebo where we checked into our hotel and then called it a day.

Day 2: Getting together with our old friend Masako-san and her sister Iku-chan.

In the morning Masako and Iku picked us up at our hotel and drove us to Okawachi-yama where I tried and failed to find a match for an old tea cup of mine. I had bought the cup over 30 years ago and unfortunately the maker of my cup said that they could no longer get the special clay used to make it. Oh well, it was fun visit the shop anyway.

After visiting Okawachi-yama we went to a famous Udon restaurant for lunch. 

It's one of a chain of restaurants that serve delicious handmade udon noodles in Kyushu.

There are many options on the menu. After we placed our order it wasn't long efore we were served.

Here comes our lunch!

This is my order. 

Iku-chan on the left and Masako-san on the right. It's time to eat! 

Some of the other customers.

After lunch our next destination was the famous and expensive Gen-emon Kiln. Let's go!  

This is the way to the Gen-emon Kiln display room.

There's no photography inside the display room. We were there just to look, not to buy. By the front entrance they use this beautiful bowl to catch water from a faucet.

After Gen-emon Kiln the sisters took us back to our hotel. It was a wonderful day.

Day 3: early morning breakfast at a Sasebo restaurant near the fish market and then we're off to Nagasaki!

This place is my wife's favorite breakfast restaurant.  It opens early and caters to people that are just getting off work or just getting ready to go to work.

After plain our order Emi goes to the green tea dispenser to get us some tea. 

There were a couple of students just finishing their breakfast in the restaurant. 

Breakfast is served! I had bacon and eggs. 

Emi had TKG with cooked fish!

Emi posing in front of the restaurant with a Gen-emon tea cup that the owner gave her.

After breakfast we checked out of our hotel and caught a local train to Nagasaki. It was a two hour train trip from Sasebo to Nagasaki and it mostly followed the sea coast; it was very scenic! 

After arriving in Nagasaki we went to our hotel, Dormy Inn, and dropped off our luggage with them  and then we were off to explore Nagasaki.

Our hotel was right in front of Chinatown. 

After wondering around a little bit we arrived at Megane-Bashi (Spectacles Bridge). This is a famous tourist destination that I wanted to visit. 

There are several really nice stone bridges over this river.

Yes, it's me! 

Per the "Discover Nagasaki" website:

In 1570, during the period of national isolation when Dejima was established upon the opening of the Port of Nagasaki, the Nakajima River's importance to trade made it the central artery of the city. In 1634, Japan's first Chinese-style stone bridge, the Spectacle Bridge, was constructed by Mokusunyoujo, the second-generation Chinese monk of Kofukuji Temple, Japan's oldest Chinese Temple. The bridge gets its name from its resemblance to a pair of spectacles when the arches of the bridges are reflected as ovals on the surface of the river. This bridge, along with Edo's Nihonbashi Bridge and Iwakuni's Kintaikyou Bridge, are considered the three most famous bridges in Japan. Although it is not well known, Spectacles Bridge was the inspiration for the Double Bridge of the Imperial Palace. By the end of the 17th century, following the construction of the Spectacles Bridge, numerous stone bridges were built for many of the roads that join the Nakashima River. It is said that these stone bridges were only constructed on roads that lead to temples when one stands at Teramachi.

Another reason that I wanted to visit Nagasaki was to ride their street cars. I like street cars!

Now it's time to visit Glover Garden.

Glover Garden is high up on a hill side overlooking Nagasaki Port. First you start walking up the hill. 

Then, after buying a ticket you ride up the hill on moving sidewalks.

The view of Nagasaki port from Glover Garden.

There is so much to say about Glover Garden and Thomas B. Glover so if you interested please read about it here at Wikipedia

It was a beautiful day for walking around the garden.

In this building the have rental costumes. website for costumes

This is the Thomas B. Glover Residence.

Some girls having a good time walking around in their rental costumes.

Thee is a lot to see at Glover Gardens. I would say that it's a must see place for anyone visiting Nagasaki. This dragon was on display near the Garden's exit.

Walking back to our hotel we passed through one of the many covered shopping streets.

Coming up next in part 2 we'll be taking a cruise boat to Gunkan-jima Island and much more!

All the best,

Mike