A trip to the top of this hill finds Nagasaki’s Glover Garden and its superb panoramic views of the busy city and harbor. The garden also provides a look back to the time when the area began to be industrialized. You’ll find nine spacious residences including some that belonged to Western industrialists who first came to Japan in the mid to late 19th century at the end of the Edo period. Find Glover Mansion, the original building on this site and also the country’s oldest Western-style residence.
The other buildings were previously located in various areas of the city but subsequently moved to this location. Scotsman Thomas Blake Glover traveled to Japan when he was 21 years old and never left. His wealth accrued from his involvement in shipbuilding, mining, arms dealing and brewing.
Wander through the meticulously landscaped gardens and come across a statue of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini and another of famous Japanese opera singer Tamaki Miura. Her leading role in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly made this location perfect for the memorials, as Glover House is believed to be the opera’s intended setting.
Other houses with a Western influence include the Former Walker House whose owner cooperated with Glover in business ventures and who was a beverage tycoon. The Former Ringer House and Former Alt House were built using their owners’ wealth from involvement with the tea trade.
Look for Japan’s first asphalt road and visit the Old Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Building that is now a museum. When you’re hungry, eat at the Jiyu-tei, which claims to be the country’s first Western-style restaurant.
The other buildings also have interesting histories. Admission includes entrance to the Museum of Traditional Performing Arts with colorful displays of costumes and dragons.
Find Glover Garden on tram 5 at the Ouratenshudo-shita stop, near the Dutch Slope. The attraction is open daily and an elevator travels part of the ascent, with the remaining distance covered on foot. When open on evenings, the area offers a magical visit, viewing the buildings’ lights and those of the city and in the distant hills.
