Off the beaten path
Peace Park, in Nagasaki-city
Peace Park was established in 1955 near the Ground Zero where the Atomic bomb was
dropped at 11:02 am on Aug. 09, 1945. Peace Memorial Ceremony is held in front of the
statue on August 9 every year and the Mayor of Nagasaki makes the “Nagasaki peace
declaration” for the whole world.
Peace Statue
Completed in 1955, ten years after the Atomic bombing. The 9.7 meter high statue sitting on a 4
meter tall pedestal, made by renown sculptor Kitamura Seibo who born in Minami-Shimabara-city,
Nagasaki-prefecture in 1884. The raised arm points to the threat of nuclear weapons and the
out-stretched arm symbolizes peace.
Peace Fountain
The Peace Fountain reminds us of the tragic scene unfolded shortly after America dropped the
Atomic bomb in Nagasaki at 11:02 am on Aug. 09, 1945.
Ground Zero
The plutonium Atomic bomb exploded about 500m over the central monument at 11:02 a.m.
on August 9, 1945. The most part of Nagasaki was destroyed, and a tremendous number of
lives were lost. And about 70,000 of Nagasaki’s 240,000 residents died instantly, and up to
60,000 were injured.
Atomic Bomb Museum
The museum exhibits a number of photograph that depict the devastation caused by atomic
bomb showing the lead-up to this tragic day, the history of the development of nuclear arms
and our desire for peace.
Martyrdom of the 26 Satints of Japan, in Nagasaki-city
in
Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki is the place of Martyrdom of 26 Japanese Saints. The 26 Martyrs of
Japan were a group of Catholics who were executed by crucifixion on February 5, 1597.
The Twenty-six Christians, including six foreign missionaries and three young boys, were arrested
in Kyoto and Osaka on the order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the National ruler, for preaching Christianity.
They were marched 800 km through the snow to Nagasaki and crucified in front of large crowd on
Nishizaka hill on Feb. 5, 1597.
Their martyrdom is especially significant in the history of the Catholic Church in Japan. In 1950, Pope
Pius XII designated this place as an official pilgrimage site for Catholics. Pope John Paul II visited
here in 1981, and Saint Teresa of Calcutta commonly known as Mother Teresa visited in 1982.
Huis Ten Bosch, in Nagasaki-prefecture
Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park in Sasebo, Nagasaki-prefecture, which recreates the Netherlands
by displaying life-sized copies of old Dutch buildings. The name Huis Ten Bosch translates into
English as “House in the Woods/bush”. It is named after Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, one of the
three official residences of the Dutch Royal Family.
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Samurai street and houses in Shimabara, Nagasaki-prefecture
Samurai was a term for the military nobility in pre-industrial Japan. The Samurai Houses in
Shimabara along the old Samurai street nearby Shimabara Castle were built in 18th century.
Three samurai houses, the Yamamoto residence, Shinozuka residence and Torita residence,
are opened to the public exhibiting the life style of old Samurai.
Unzen Jigoku, in Unzen, Nagasaki-prefecture
Jigoku, means Hell, is the number one attraction of Unzen with a peculiar smell of sulfur emitted
from the springs, and with white smoke rising from the ground over a wide area. This is a striking
reminder that Unzen Volcano is still very much alive.
These springs are highly valued by Japanese even now as according to Buddhist teaching, “If you
live in a bad manner, you cannot go to Paradise, but rather, you will fall into the Hell of agony”.
Unfortunately, this was once put into reality nearly 350 years ago during the time of religious
persecution in Japan. 30 Japanese Christians, failing to renounce their faith met their death
here in the scalding spring of Jigoku.
Nita Pass, in Unzen, Nagasaki-prefecture
Nita pass is one of the best scenic spot in Unzen. At any time of the year the natural scenery
of Nita Pass in Unzen is magnificent. Azaleas, green leaves, brilliant autumnal tints of maples
and silver frost represent each season of the year.
The ropeway take you slowly from Nita Pass to Mt. Myoken at a highest of 1300 meters, from the
observation point of Mt. Myoken, you can get a 360 degree panorama view which encompasses
not only the Ariake Sea and Amakusa Island but the smoke the crater Mt.Aso.
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