Nagasaki | Statistics
Region: Kyushu
Capital: Nagasaki
Population (approx.): 1.431 million (2012)
Area: 1,580 sq miles
Area Rank: 37
Nagasaki | Destinations
Nagasaki Prefecture is located in the Kyushu region and was the second city to be attacked by the atomic bomb after Hiroshima during WWII. As like the atomic bomb museum in Hiroshima, Nagasaki has its own museum for the remembrance of the victims of the horrific atomic bombing of Nagasaki that occurred on August 9, 1945. A popular sight in Nagasaki is the night view from Inasayama, Mt. Inasa which features lights and water. The view from its summit is considered one of Japan’s three best night views. Being located on the southwestern tip of Kyushu and for its important role in foreign trade relations in the past, Nagasaki has had great foreign influence. The Glover Garden is an excellent example of this influence. The park features Westernized buildings and mansions in which former British merchants resided in.
Nagasaki | Local Food and Produce
Nagasaki’s signature dish is the “Champon”, a local Nagasaki noodle dish. Vegetables, meat, and soup are placed on the noodles which cook the noodles with its heat. Champon is available in other parts of Japan, and is often referred to as “Nagasaki Champon”.
In Nagasaki, “shippoku ryori” is also a popular style to enjoy a meal. It is a style of eating where various large dishes are placed in the center and guests choose from a variety of dishes rather than eating from just one's own dish. Shippoku ryori is customarily served on a round table which if filled with a variety of dishes of Japanese, Chinese, and European dishes.
Nagasaki | Arts and Crafts
Nagasaki is famous for its glassware, more specifically referred to as Nagasaki vidro. Vidro is the Portuguese word for glass. Vidro was introduced into Nagasaki when the Port of Nagasaki opened Japan to various influences back in 1570. Of these goods, vidro had a great influence on Japan and has stayed a popular souvenir item even today. Vidro is created by attaching molten glass to the tip of a pipe and blowing air into the pipe to create the desired size and shaped bubble. Glass blowing takes great technique because the art must be done rapidly before the glass quickly cools and hardens. Glassware, poppen (glass toy that makes a sound when you blow into it), figurines, and other goods are popular Nagasaki vidro products.
Nagasaki | Festivals and Events
Nagasaki Lantern Festival was originally known as the Shunsetsu Festival and celebrated Chinese New Years.