Hokobaru Martyrdom Site: Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture

Hokobaru Martyrdom Site is an interesting place to visit in Omura City.  You will be able to step back in time and learn and understand more about the Christian History of the area and some of the surreal and horrible acts that were committed at the time in order to protect and preserve Japanese Nationalistic ideals of the time.  After Christianity was banned in 1587, it seemed that the Christian religion had vanished forever within the realm of Nagasaki and Japan in general.  However, many Christians continued to practice in secret and are referred as the Hidden Christians.

When the Tokugawa Shogunate took control in 1614 and then closed Japan’s borders to the outside world in 1633, they started a hunt to eliminate all practicing Christians in order to restore only Japanese traditions through the implementation of rebuilding Shrines and Temples and force feeding the public to revert back to the original Buddhist and Shinto Religions.

In 1657, known as the Kori Kuzure (Collapse of Kori) the government found and arrested 603 Christians hiding in the area known as Kori Village within the Omura domain.  Out of this large number, 197 people were either found innocent or imprisoned.  The other 406 people were executed. Due to the number of executions, 275 people were sent to other areas to meet their fate, such as Shimabara, Nagasaki and Saga.  At Hokobaru Martyrdom Site, 131 of those captured were beheaded.

The landmark that stands today at the Hokobaru Martyrdom Site is a sign of respect and a tribute to all those that lost their life during this troubled period in Japan.  The Japanese Christian community within Nagasaki and Japan have done a marvelous job to keep their history alive and to continue to tell the story of what happened all those many years ago for future generations.

Well worth a visit.

Please check out the Hokobaru Martyrdom Site in Nagasaki here on a map:

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Good information in English too!

Impressive from all angles

Shot down by Angels from above

Powerful images

Interesting to say the least!

Sacifice

Click on the video below to see the Hokobaru Martyrdom Site:

Awashima Shrine: Nagasaki Pefecture

Awashima Shrine in Nagasaki is probably one of the most interesting and unique Shrines that you will ever come upon in Nagasaki let alone all of Japan.  Many women visit this shrine to make prayers related to female matters such as childbirth and fertility as it is believed to have special powers an a lucky charm to those who want children or those that are having problems getting pregnant.

Awashima Shrine was built in 1812 so in a sense compared to other Shrines in Nagasaki it is a rather young and hasn't got a long and rich history but it is what the Shrine stands for and that people believe in its powers which makes it such a popular and well visited place.  The Shrine has a series of small Torii's which are the gate entrances to the shrines.  Most shrine gate entrances are measured in metres and I mean 5 to 10 meters in height, however the Awashima Shrines Torii's are measured in centimeters and not meters.

If one passes through these gate entrances it is said that it will assure a smooth and safe delivery for mother and child once she becomes pregnant and will allow women who are having problem to become pregnant in the future as well if all 3 gate entrances can be passed through.

The smallest Torii is only 27 centimeters high but I can tell you that it looks so much smaller than this. In fact, I could hardly get my head through the gate entrance let along my large frame and shoulders as well as other parts of my body.  Whilst I was there I didn't actually see anyone pass through these Torii's but I have been told by many people that it is possible and done on a regular basis.  Now that is something that I need to see for myself in order to believe something that I honestly think is impossible!

Please check out Awashima Shrine here below:

 

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Looks like a rather usual shrine but it has an edge over the others!

Passing through the Torii's will promote fertility

It has some of the smallest Torii's you will ever see!

The average western woman has no chance to pass through!

Tiny gap

The 3 Torii's are actually different sizes

Peck a boo

Please check out the Awashima Shrine Nagasaki in the video below:

Giant Tree Street: Nagasaki City

The Giant Tree Street in Nagasaki is one of those places where you know that the street planners and government officials have made the correct decision and allowed nature and development to work in conjunction with each other, create cohesion and the right balance between the continual struggle of how to keep nature and expansion in check and to retain the regions natural beauty!

To drive up and down the street is to step back in time and feel the real connection with nature.  At first, the feeling that this is impossible creates a wave of anxiety as the gap between the tree located in the middle of the road and the guard rail looks way too narrow to fit a large sized car through let alone a small car or a couple of motorcycles.  But slowly by slowly, ones confidence and ability to navigate the twist and turn road up and up to the top of the Giant Tree Street turns a slow and careful drive into a fun and joyful experience that you would like to do again and again!

It is without doubt one of the best drives in Nagasaki and I will look forward to driving this street again in Spring and Autumn when the tree colours and foliage are at their best.  Comes well recommended and an absolute delight for all nature lovers.

Please check out The Giant Tree Street in Nagasaki here on a map:

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Not much room through here!

A very busy section of road

Another taxi

Lots of activity

Nature wins out over destruction

Here is a video of the Giant Tree Street Nagasaki for your viewing enjoyment:

Strawberry Picking: Nagasaki Prefecture

Strawberry Picking is one of the best family activities that you could ever want to do.  It works on so many levels.  Firstly, wives just love Strawberries!  I don't care if it is ice cream, cake, shortcake, cheesecake, parfait, sundae or dipping in whipped cream, let alone with champagne or straight up just as it is, the ladies like Strawberries, period!

Then you have the kids, running around trying to find the perfect one and when they find it they talk about the strawberry as if its their long lost cousin and presto it is gone down to their stomachs within seconds and guess what miraculously they find another strawberry 2 seconds later that was better than the last and the process repeats itself over and over again.

The great thing about Nagasaki is that these Strawberry picking places and their massive greenhouses are everywhere so in reality you don't have to travel very far to find them.  The one we went to was the unlimited picking and eating variety and it was reasonably prices at 1500 yen (approx $15 US) and 800 yen (approx $8 US) for the kids.  The Strawberry picking season is generally between February and April as this is when the fruit is at its optimum sweetness and juiciness.

As for me, I hit the road running, came out of the blocks fast as a cheetah but alas we all have our limitations and mine is apparently unlimited strawberry eating.  By my estimation I hit the wall at 60 and couldn't force another strawberry down.  Maybe you will have better luck than me when you try your hand?

Click on the link to see Strawberry Picking in Nagasaki on a map:

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Now that`s a strawberry

Looking for the good ones

Sweet and delicious

The face of someone who has eaten too many strawberries!

The wife and kids didn't hold back!

Another one bites the dust

Last one!

My take home pack

These aren't ready for eating yet!

Please check out Nagasaki Strawberry Picking on the videos below:

Mitsubishi Shipyards: Nagasaki City

Mitsubishi Shipyards in Nagasaki is such a dominate and striking feature of the Nagasaki Port and the city itself.  It is virtually impossible not to see a dozen of so unmistakable Mitsubishi Company Logo's throughout the area and it is still today one of the largest employers in Nagasaki.

In 1857 at the request of the Shogunate engineers began work on a modern, Western-style foundry and shipyard  and construction was completed in 1861.  In 1868, the shipyard was placed under control of the new Meiji Government and the first dry dock was completed in 1879.

The shipyard was renamed as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 1934.  It became the largest private firm in Japan and was active in the manufacture of ships, heavy machinery, airplanes and railroad cars. From its inception, the Mitsubishi Shipyards Nagasaki were heavily involved in contracts for the Imperial Japanese Navy and originally the Atomic Bomb was destined to be dropped directly above the Mitsubishi Shipyards Nagasaki but of course this was not the actual result and unfortunately the suburban area of Urakami, approx. 6 kms away was the actual target.  As a result of this the Mitsubishi Shipyards Nagasaki was largely untouched and unaffected by the atomic bomb and resulting shock waves and remained operational ever since.

From a boat on the harbor or from the shoreline you can get some great shots of this dry dock in fully operation and there is always a huge ship or tanker or two getting some repairs that can be seen. Without a doubt one of the most impressive harbors of the world.

Come and check out Mitsubishi Shipyards Nagasaki on a map:

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The massive cranes

Oil tanks in the foreground

Long view

Here is a video of the Mitstubishi Shipyards in Nagasaki:

Unzen Christian Memorial: Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture

The Unzen Christian Memorial is a very special place indeed.  It is hard to believe that such a special, unique and picturesque place was actually a murdering ground for the prosecution and killing of Christians all those years ago in feudal Japan.

During the depression of Jigoku (1627-1632) many Christians were killed.  Though it is impossible now to indicate the exact place in which many Christians suffered martyrdom, two monumental stones were placed in the Jigoku (Hell Ponds) to honor the Martyrs.  One is called "Seika Moyu no Hi," (monument of sacred flame) which was built in 1939.  The Japanese poem written by Chosuke Ikuta is inscribed and reads "Your exalted spirits and sacred red blood have never faded away and are still vividly seen through the red mountain covered by azalea flowers."

The other monument is of the Christian Cross and was raised by Archbishop of Nagasaki in 1961.  On the surface of its setting stone, 6 martyrs' names are inscribed to keep the plight of these people many years ago alive and in the memory of all Christians of today and yesteryear.  It is a place that one can lost in the magnificent scenery not to mention the history of the area and at the same time you can learn about the Christians of Japan and the persecution that they had to endure in order to follow their faith.

Check out the Unzen Christian Memorial here below:

 

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                                   The names and dates of the Christians who were boiled to death

Please check out the video of the Unzen Christian Memorial here:

                                                        Many Nagasaki Christian were martyred here!

                                                 This is where it all happened!

                                                        The memorial stands to remember the Christians of the time

Hamanokawa Spring: Shimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture

Hamanokawa Spring is one of those places that is a page out of yesteryear.   The people, the buildings and the community spirit are all from a bygone era where society was nicer to each other, people lived and acted by another ethos of friendship and support of their fellow man and the community worked together to get things done and create opportunities for all.

I was pleasantly surprised to walk around Hamanokawa town to see the extremely old Japanese houses and I felt the atmosphere of a place that still today in the 21st century follow so many rules and life experiences of a culture and spirit of centuries before.  The Hamanokawa Spring in Shimabara is divided into 4 distinct areas and the system has been in place for 100's of years since feudal times and still holds fast today.

The 1st water chamber is used for the washing of fish and all types of foods such as vegetables and fruits.  The 2nd chamber is specifically for the rinsing of plates whilst the 3rd chamber is used for the washing of plates.  Finally the 4th chamber of water is only used for the washing of clothes.

When I arrived a little old lady was just finishing washing her clothes in the 4th chamber, I wanted to take a photo but she whisked away in a blur.  I really want to see these ancient systems in use by the local community, so I will return again someday and try and capture the process in full operation.

Please check out Hamanokawa Spring on a map:

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Well sign posted

Abundance of clean fresh water

The whole community uses the water for a variety of reasons

The rules of how the system works

Shared by all the local community

The oldest part of town in Shimabara

Here is a video of the Hamanokawa Spring in Shimabara, please take a look:

Nagasaki Bio Park: Nagasaki Prefecture

Nagasaki Bio Park is an amazing place to visit as it really has something for everyone to enjoy.  You can watch from afar and enjoy the amazing facets of nature, whether they be various types of flora or fauna, both the big and small varieties.

It took me 5 years to get here to the Nagasaki Bio Park and the question i asked myself immediately was, why?  I know its location is a little out of the way (approx. a 1 hour drive from Nagasaki City) but the attractions and its value for money as well as being an amazing place to wander around and get up close and personal with the animals especially for the little ones is an amazing and necessary requirement to get people to come back again and again.

I decided to visit the Nagasaki Bio Park on a cool but windy autumn afternoon, the weather couldn't have been more pleasant and the atmosphere and mood of the animals and surrounding environment was better than first expected.  The kids got right into it from the beginning and were running from location to location trying to take in and process the information faster than their little brains could take, while the parents happily strolled behind content in their decision to come to this little slice of nature in Nagasaki.

For less than 5000 yen for 2 adults and 2 children, it make a full day let alone a half day visit a true value for money experience.  I am sure it will be less than 5 years for a repeat visit to take place. Highly Recommend coming to the Nagasaki Bio Park!!

Check out the Nagasaki Bio Park on a map:

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Lots of hungry raccoons

Checking out the Lesser Panda

An interesting aquarium too!

Very cute little Pineapples in the dome

Orchids anyone?

Lots of tropical flowers


Here is a video of the children having some interactive feeding time with the animals at the Nagasaki Bio Park: