Sasebo & Nagasaki - let's go! (part 2)

 We're going to Gunkan-jima Island!

To go to Gunkan-jima Island one needs to make a reservation in advance via the internet. We found out that at the visitors information center at Nagasaki train station on the day that we arrived in Nagasaki. So, Emi quickly made the reservation and now here we are today ready to board this cruise boat and make the 15 kilometer trip to the island.

It's a nice cruise boat and after about 40 minutes we get our first sighting of the island.

The 6.3-hectare (16-acre) island was known for its undersea coal mines, established in 1887, which operated during the industrialization of Japan. The island reached a peak population of 5,259 in 1959. In 1974, with the coal reserves nearing depletion, the mine was closed and all of the residents departed soon after, leaving the island effectively abandoned for the following three decades.

The island is nicknamed Battleship Island because from a distance it looks like a Battleship.

I went out on the back of the boat to get a better picture. It was very crowded.

After taking this picture I gave-up and went back inside.

If the seas are calm the boat will dock on the island and we would be given limited access to walk around with a professional guide. However, it was to rough for the boat to dock so instead they made one trip around the island clockwise and then another trip around the island counter-clockwise.  

On the counter-clockwise trip around the island many people had already seen enough and came back inside the boat leave plenty of room for me to go out and get some good pictures. 

While we were returning to Nagasaki port the boat crew showed us two DVDs (one in Japanese and one in English) that were very informative. For anyone visiting Nagasaki I highly recommend this tour; I enjoyed it very much.

One last look at our cruise boat before we go to Dejima.

Welcome to Dejima!

This is the bridge over the river to the entrance to Dejima.

A view of the river from the bridge.

Dejima in Nagasaki is a restored open-air museum and former Dutch trading post that served as Japan’s only window to the West during its 218-year period of isolation (1641–1859). The site features reconstructed Edo-period buildings, including homes, warehouses, and the Chief Factor's Residence, offering insights into early international trade and cultural exchange.

That's Emi walking on the main street of Dejima.

There is something to see inside every building on Dejima. I was truly surprised by how much there was to see. 

These are just three of the many illustrations of life on Dejima back when it was an active Dutch Trading Post. 

There is so much to see here, it's almost overwhelming. There is an admission fee but it's worth it.

Inside this building there's a shop for Kimono Rental. 

This is the Chief Factor's Residence (the Head Honcho of the the Dutch Trading Post). Let's go inside!

Looks like the Chief Factor had it pretty good.

There's about 18 restored buildings to visit at Dejima. It takes time to see everything but it's worth it.

Free time! Emi and I wanted to visit different places so we spilt up and we spent the rest of the day sightseeing separately.

I went to Nakashima River to see Megane-Bashi (Spectacles Bridge) again and to see all the other bridges along the river.

This area is amazing!

Low tide.

This is Megane-Bashi (Spectacles Bridge).

The other side of Megane-Bashi (Spectacles Bridge). Look at the bench on the lower right-side of the picture. There's a little Megane-Bashi on it.

On my way back to the hotel I decided to walk through one of the covered shopping streets and I discovered Emi shopping at a vegetable stand.

Emi can't pass by a vegetable stand without stopping to take a look.

The streetcars! One of the reasons that I wanted to visit Nagasaki was to see and ride the streetcars. We're leaving Nagasaki tomorrow morning so this was my last chance to see some streetcars.

 

Streetcar stations in the middle of the road.

And, here are some streetcars!

Well, that's it for this trip. On the morning of the last day we took an express bus to Nagasaki airport, flew back to Tokyo and then took a train home. Our trip to Nagasaki was fantastic; I'd love to visit here again in the future.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

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 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 before 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 placing 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 are interested please read about it here at Wikipedia

It was a beautiful day for walking around the garden.

In this building they 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.

There 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