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NAGASAKI MAIN CITIES and TOWNS

Nagasaki is the largest city and capital of the island of Kyushu. Nagasaki is famous for having an atomic bomb dropped on it, but it also has long and diverse history, much of which survived the bombing.

NAGASAKI CASTLES

Hirado Castle, also known as Kameoka Castle, is a mountain top Japanese Castle located in Hirado Nagasaki Prefecture. Hirado Castle was constructed on top a peninsula which protruded into Hirado Bay, thus surrounding the castle on three sides. In 1599 Matsuura Shigenbu completed the construction of a castle on the current site of Hirado Castle, however Matsuura Shigenbu burnt down his own castle in 1613 to show he was not threat to Tokugawa Ieyasu, after he and Toyotomi Hideyoshi lost the Battle of Sekigahara to Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1718 Matsuura Takashi completed the current Hirado Castle with the support of the Tokugawa shogunate. This new castle was defend Japan from possible attack from the Sea of Japan. In 1871 as a part of the Meiji Restoration most of Hirado Castle was demolished except for the norther gate, one turrent and the moat. In 1962 a modern reconstruction of the donjon, four turrents and earthen walls were completed.

Kushima Castle, also known as Omura Castle, is a Japanese Castle located in the city of Omura in Nagasaki Prefecture. Kushima Castle, completed in 1599, is famous for the mass poisoning of Japanese Christians in 1616 on the castle grounds. In 1871 the donjon was demolished as part of the Meiji Restoration and a Shinto Shrine was built in that location. In 1981 on of the turrets and some walls were reconstructed.

Shimabara Castle, also known as Moritake Castle and Korai Castle, is a flatland Japanese Castle located in Shimabara Nagasaki Prefecture. Shimabara Castle was completed in 1624 and came under siege in the Shimabara Rebellion. The donjon and most other buildings were demolished in 1876 as part of the Meiji Restoration. In 1964 a concrete reconstruction of donjon was completed. Only the moat and stone walls remain from the original castle.

NAGASAKI SHRINES and TEMPLES

Kofukuji Temple - Tomeizan Kofuku-ji is Japan's oldest and first Chinese temple of the Obaku sect. Kofukuji Temple reflects Nagasaki's history as a gateway for foreigners to Japan.

Sanno Shrine in Nagasaki is famous for its one legged torii, which was created when the other leg was blown off during the nuclear blast. Sanno Shrine is only 900m from the atomic bombs hypocenter.

NAGASAKI MUSEUMS and ART GALLERIES

The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum commemorates the explosion of the atomic bomb that devastated Nagasaki at 11:02am on 9 August 1945.

Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument, also known as the Twenty-six Martyrs of Japan, is the museum and monument to the twenty six Christians who were crucified in 1597 in Nagasaki for practicing Christianity in Japan when the religion had been banned.

NAGASAKI LANDMARKS

Nagasaki Ground Zero is location directly below the explosion of the atomic bomb that devastated Nagasaki at 11:02am on 9 August 1945.

The Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, like its counterpart in Hiroshima, the hall was constructed as a place to remember and pray for those killed by the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki.

Nyoko-do Hermitage is the former residence of Dr Takashi Nagai, the famous radiologist from Nagasaki, who lobbied for better treatment for the many people that were affected by the radiation from the atomic blast. He died in 1951, aged 43, from his exposure to the atomic explosion.

Oura Church is the only western-style building declared a national treasure, and is said to be the oldest church in Nagasaki. Oura Church is also known as the Church of the 26 Japanese Martyrs.

NAGASAKI GARDENS and PARKS

Glover Garden - Nagasaki's top tourist attraction features Japan's oldest Western style house. Glover Garden also features views of Nagasaki Port.

Nagasaki Peace Park is a park located in Nagasaki, Japan commemorating the atomic bombing of the city on August 9, 1945 during World War II.

Omura Park, located in Omura Nagasaki Prefecture, contains the remains of Kushima Castle built by Yoshiaki Omura. Omura Park is now famous for its cherry blossom trees and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

NAGASAKI BRIDGES

Megane Bridge is the oldest stone arch bridge in Japan. Megane Bridge known as Meganebashi or Spectacles Bridge, was built in Nagasaki in 1634 by the Chinese monk Mozi of Kofukuji Temple.

NAGASAKI MOUNTAINS

MT Inasa provides Nagasaki's 10 Million Dollar Night View. MT Inasa has a cable car to the summit.

NAGASAKI TRAIN STATIONS

Nagasaki Station is the terminal station for the Nagasaki Main Line in Nagasaki from Hakata Station Fukuoka. Nagasaki Station connects to the Nagasaki tram network.

NAGASAKI SHOPPING

Daiei Department Store Nagasaki is one of the Daiei stores, a chain of department stores and supermarkets based in Kobe, but with over 3,000 stores all over Japan. Daiei Department Store Nagasaki is located in Nagasaki.

Daimaru Department Store Nagasaki is one of the Daimaru Department stores found throughout Japan. Daimaru has a history going all the way back to Dia-Monjiya Store in Kyoto which opened in 1717. Today the Diamaru Department Store chain is part of the Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores group, with many of the Diamaru Stores located in the Kansai region. Daimaru Department Store Nagasaki is located in Nagasaki.