Myohoji Temple: Omura, Nagasaki Prefecture

Myohoji Temple in Omura Nagasaki is one of those places that you always wonder why someone would put such a unique structure in such a unique place and the simple answer is, because they can.

Perched up on top of a small mountain in the rural confines of Omura City this temple definitely has one of the most beautiful and picturesque views of the Omura Bay in the foreground as well as the magnificent mountain ranges in the background.  It is designed to have sweeping 360 degree views and has a walkable terrace to not only enable a perfect view of its surroundings but also as a way of creating a sense of infinity from within.  I think that i encircled the structure 2 or 3 times but in reality it could have been 4 or 5 times, such is its ability to suck you in and be enshrined in its aura of magnificent.

The walk up to its entrance is one of excitement and wonder and the feeling perpetuates itself during the entire visit.  I left the temple feeling satisfied and of course wanting to come back again soon.  I wonder what kind of feelings you will have?

Please check out Myohoji Temple in Nagasaki Prefecture here on a map:

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Impressive Temple 

Amazing scenery

The scene

Intricate details

Add caption

Panorama

Omura Bay below

Golden Buddha

Check out Myohoji Temple here on a video:

WW2 Submarine Training Center: Nagasaki Prefecture

There are a lot of well known WW2 associated sites in Nagasaki relating to the Atomic Explosion such as the Peace Park and the Mitsubishi Shipyards but hardly any places relating to the everyday historical sites that were used obviously for many projects and purposes relating to WW2.

I have kept hearing about this one site off the beaten path that was supposedly used by the navy as a submarine training center.  I few feeble tries to locate this long abandoned site didn't come to fruition and as a result it was put on the back burner.  However an article in a magazine perked my interest again and i made it one of my goals to track down this elusive place and document it once and for all!

It seemed like I had been searching for this ghost town for hours on this one non discript day and many many questions to the locals who thought I was a crazy person for mentioning anything remotely about WW2 was testing my patience.  However when all looked lost suddenly out of nowhere someone comes to the rescue and mentions that there is an abandoned factory not too far away and obviously this was the place that I was looking for.

A couple of wrong turns here and there but eventually I located the empty building and explored. What I found was beyond expectations!  A massive empty building that was the school`s training facilities with a dock nearby which was the mooring station for the submarine or submarines.  Not a lot is known about this place especially in regards to written material but just through visual inspection and using my imagination I could truly picture a scenario where once this place was a running and fully operation Submarine Naval Training Center.

Check here to see the Nagasaki WW2 Submarine Training Center on a map:

 

Please check out the pictures below and click to enlarge:

Abandoned

A solidary tree

Inside the building stands trees now

Building in ruins

Submarine Dock

Needs of repair

Docking station

Perfect sunset

Please check out this Nagasaki WW2 Submarine Training Center here on these videos below:

Isahaya Spectacle Bridge: Nagasaki Prefecture

Every now and then whilst conducting one of my tours something special and unexpected happens which gives all my customers and even me a thrill.

On one of the last Private Nagasaki Tours I did, the first stop of the day was at the Isahaya Spectacle Bridge and the High School Cheer Squad nearby decided to give us an impromptu perform and belt out a couple to massive cheer songs.

Well I can tell you everyone was captivated by their enthusiasm, excitement and of course their voices.  It can be viewed as passion but more likely a sense of pride of their school and specifically their team that drives these students to show the amount of dedication and spirit that they do.  This was easily conveyed to the viewer and we were left with a positive outlook of the situation, place and atmosphere of the performance.

A great start to the day!!

Check out the Isahaya Spectacle Bridge on this map:

 

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Isahaya Spectacle Bridge

High School Cheer Squad

On the bridge

Picture Perfect Park

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Mount Inasayama: Nagasaki City

Mount Inasayama in Nagasaki City is a 333 meter high mountain in close proximity to the city center. Yama in Japanese means Mountain and Inasa Mountain is the King of all the peaks in Nagasaki. It is for this reason that you should make this location a priority

The summit can be reached by ropeway and car and offers 360 degree views over the city especially on a clear day.  The night views from Mount Inasa are ranked among Japan's three best night views. The observation platform provides spectacular views of Nagasaki's "10 Million Dollar Night View". It is a view that you can't forget in a hurry as well because the sights and the scenery from this location so close to the city is undeniable.

Mount Inasayama Nagasaki`s location is a wonderful way to start your tour of this amazing city by understanding its special geography and topography which makes it a unique place. Without a doubt, on a clear day, unobstructed views of the seas and mountains make this lookout spectacular and a must on anyone's itinerary whilst they are partaking in some leisurely sightseeing whilst in Nagasaki. I usually stay away from the ropeways as I prefer to walk or drive up to the summit but for those without a vehicle or who have limited time in fabulous Nagasaki the ropeway is the choice of transport needed.

Well worth a visit, comes highly recommended especially on a super clear day where Mount Unzen to the east and the outlying Goto Islands to the west some 60 to 80 kilometers away can be seem with ease!  I have been lucky to capture the sights on just this sort of day!  The question is, will you be as lucky as me when you join one of my Private Nagasaki Tours?

Please check out Mount Inasayama in Nagasaki here below:

 

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City Center

Picturesque

Cruise terminal below

Megame Bridge

Check out this video of Mount Inasayama below and see why the daytime view is so spectacular:

Nagasaki Peace Park School Trip: Nagasaki City

One of the best things about the Nagasaki Peace Park is that no matter how many times you have been here, each time is different.  I can`t count how many times I have visited the Peace Park.  Each time I do something interesting and amazing always catches my eye and makes me think that this place really is really something special and needs to be cherished and appreciated by all.

On my last visit I came upon a School Trip by High School students.  I didn`t ask where they were from as they were being escorted in a rather militaristic fashion but in perfect unison and very orderly and with quiet aplomb and respect for all the people around them.  I would be very surprised if an Australian High School field trip would be as orderly as this one and i would hazard a guess that there would have been quite a bit more yelling and mucking around even in such an important and sombre place.

Nearly every Japanese child from Elementary School to High School has either visited Hiroshima or Nagasaki Peace Parks during their schooling years.  The education departments and the schools themselves see it an a rather important part of their schooling and to learn from the pages of Japanese history first hand.

On this recent visit i couldn't help but wonder what these High Schooler`s were feeling inside. Whether they could fully fathom what happened here 70 years ago or whether it was just a normal regular place and they were rather bored and wanted to get this experience over and done with.  I am pretty sure the next time I have a change to see and interact with a school trip I will ask some of these pertinent questions.

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Orderly progression

Japanese discipline

Rememberence

Arima Christian Heritage Museum: Shimabara Peninsular, Nagasaki Prefecture

The Arima Christian Heritage Museum in Nagasaki is an interesting place that one can see and interact with many facets of Japanese History and especially its interaction and involvement with people from other countries through culture, trade and religious experimentation.

The Museum is well signposted in English, has enough literature and footnotes as well as a 10 minute video to explain the histories and problems of the day in which Christianity was outlawed and those that continued to follow their faith (even though the consequences meant death) were dealt with in the most gruesome manner.

No stone is unturned at the Arima Christian Heritage Museum as all topic of reference are discussed in full details.  These include the Martyring of Nagasaki Christians, the connection between trade and evil forces from abroad, as well as the Hara Castle massacre whereby 37 000 peasant Christians were murdered as a result of their unwillingness to stop practicing their faith and because of their defiance to follow the rank and file orders of their over bearing Lord of the time.

I will recommend this place to anyone who has an interest in the history of the Nagasaki Christians, as there is just enough information to fill in the gaps and to provide a picture worth viewing.  However because of the Museum`s remote location most probably a Private Tour will be needed to access this and other remote places.

Please click on the click to see Arima Christian Heritage Museum in Nagasaki on this map:

 

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Renounce your faith or else!

Christianity arrived in Japan with the traders

An interesting 10 minute video with subtitles

Christians being Martyred

The Arima Christian Heritage Museum

Religious cleansing

Martyrdom

The Hara Castle Massacre

Rebellion forces holding out the lords soldiers

The end result 37 000 Christian dead

Entrance

Please check out these videos below to see more about the Arima Christian Heritage Museum in Nagasaki:

Mount Fugen: Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture

Mount Fugen in Nagasaki is the second highest peak of Unzen which dominates the Shimabara peninsula. Mount Fugen is well known for its volcanic activity that last peaked in a period from 1990 to 1995.  Even today, many reports about volcanoes  invariably mentions Unzen when it comes to massive pyroclastic flows.  The most severe occurred on June 13, 1991 when 34 people were killed in an area that was rated as safe.

On my Private Nagasaki Tours, and only when the weather deems so, I will drive to the lookout and give everyone the opportunity to see the Volcano and Lava Dome up close.  It's a tremendous and uplifting site for sure.

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The Peak

Vegetation has grown

Views of Shimabara below

Currently, the two highest peaks of Unzen are Mount Fugen (1359m) and Heisei Shinzan (1483m). Until the last period of volcanic activity, Mount Fugen was the highest point in the Unzen complex. It lost this title with the growth of a new lava dome that has been named Heisei Shinzan.  At 1483 meters, the new peak outperforms Mount Fugen by more than 100 meters.

Mount Fugen makes for a fantastic access point from the Unzen Hot Spring town and can be well combined with a visit of Shimabara to the east as well as the town of Obama to the west for a great day out!  Combine all 3 places and your day will just about be perfect from every point of view.

Mount Fugen Nagasaki is one of my favorite places to visit, just to see the huge lava dome sends shivers up my spine no matter where I am standing on the Shimabara Peninsular.  Mount Fugen Nagasaki can be climbed, it can be viewed also in various way, one by walking up to the lookout which is only about 200 meters from the carpark but there are quite an amount of stairs to contend with and secondly from the ropeway which will take you right up to the peak and within the parameters of its heart and soul.  I am sure it will provide you with a similar moving experience where ever it may be viewed from.

Look at Mount Fugen in Nagasaki Prefecture on a map below:

 

1st National Park in Japan

Picturesque