Peace Park Tour in Nagasaki, Japan
See Urakami Cathedral, the Hypocenter, and the Atomic Bomb Museum
Aug 18, 2008
The Peace Park is one of the most popular destinations in the city of Nagasaki, so those English-speakers interested in going will find a lot of help at Nagasaki Station, the transport hub of the city. Many English pamphlets are available just outside the train station, and even online, including the useful site, Welcome to Nagasaki. There is plenty of information that doesn't make it all the way to the pamphlets, but a new arrival should be confident. It's relatively easy to follow the signs, and these directions, to have an interesting and informative tour of the Peace Park area of Nagasaki.
Peace Park
Coming either from the train station, the crowd tends toward the footbridge between the train station and the streetcar stop. Taking a streetcar costs only 100 (about $1) yen for any distance, making it a great way to get from Nagasaki Station to the Peace Park. The 8th stop from Nagasaki Station on the north-bound number 3 (red) streetcar is Matsuyama-machi. The Peace Park fountain, spraying water in the shape of a dove’s wings, can be seen after walking northeast across the intersection and up the hill’s steps. Behind and beyond sits the Nagasaki Peace Statue, incorporating design elements from both the East and West. Between the fountain and the statue are scattered sculptures from all around the world, sent to Nagasaki as gestures of friendship and peace. The Peace Park is public, free and open year-round.
Urakami Cathedral
The rebuilt Urakami Cathedral can be seen from the park by looking east. However, a view of the ruins of the old church, preserved after the atomic bombing, require a closer look. This can easily be accomplished in about a 15-minute walk. The massive cathedral above the eerie ruins exemplifies Nagasaki’s complex history.
July 2008’s Japan Catholic News article “Japan’s Latest Report Shows Decrease in Japan’s Catholic Population” confirms that the Catholic diocese of Nagasaki is second only to Tokyo in its Catholic population. This statistic is due, in part, to Nagasaki’s history as the first port opened to the West, through which Christianity entered Japan. The ruins below the rebuilt church put on display Japan’s struggles with the West, from which Japan received both modernization and upheaval, the roots of a thriving industry and the pain of a nuclear attack.
The doors of Urakami Cathedral are open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day except for Monday, but the ruins are outside, accessible just about any time for those on foot. No tours are available, but all are welcome inside for free.
The Hypocenter and Atomic Bomb Museum
Returning from Urakami Cathedral toward the Matsuyama-machi streetcar stop makes a great opportunity to visit the nearby Hypocenter of the bombing, marked by a grim black column, where many Japanese pay their respects on the August 9th anniversary. As the Hypocenter monument rests in a park, it's free and open year-round to the public.
From the monument, the English signs offer directions south to the Atomic Bomb Museum, which charges only 200 yen (about $2) for adult admission, and tells the full story of the events surrounding August 9, 1945. It's open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM for most of the year, with special extended hours during the summer and around the anniversary of the bombing. The museum's only holiday lasts from December 29th to 31st.
Return to Nagasaki Station
These notorious footprints of war are probably the most famous sites in the city. Some visitors may want to see them briefly, while others might want to take all day. Either way, returning to Nagasaki Station from the Hypocenter by taking the south-bound red streetcar from Hamaguchi-machi (southwest from the Hypocenter) is a good way to unwind after taking in the weighty history.
There are plenty of places to eat around the Eki, and AMU Plaza, the mall adjacent to Nagasaki Station, offers lots of variety, from Western-style fast food and donuts to characteristically Japanese ramen and sushi. (Hours vary by restaurant.) A snack or a meal is a good way to recharge before moving on, to home, hotel, or other sites in Nagasaki.
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