TOP 3 PLACES TO SEE IN NAGASAKI

Three made it to our list of Top Places to See in Nagasaki.  These three were carefully chosen by us, yours truly!  Now if you ask us why we chose these three, it's because... 'cause... we only went to three places in Nagasaki. Hahaha.

Nagasaki is on the island of Kyushu, on the southern part of Japan.  We assume everyone's familiar with this place because of the World War II atomic bombings.  In case you skipped school on the day it was discussed by your teacher, Nagasaki is the second city in the world to experience a nuclear attack next to Hiroshima... on this same month of August, 66 years ago.  

sorry we had to post this map because it's cute

1.  Megami Bridge

The Megami Bridge, also known as Venus Wing, is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the island of Kyushu.  Built by Mitsubishi, the bridge is 880 meters long and 170 meters tall.  It was completed in December 2005, and is now slowly becoming a landmark in Nagasaki. What's cool about this bridge is that it has a pathway for pedestrians, so not only cars can cross it.  Of course our lazy asses didn't bother.  As soon as we got off the bus, we barely walked away from it and just took photos from where we are.  The best view of the bridge is from afar, anyway!  

Megami Bridge

 

2.  Dejima 

Dejima is a fan-shaped artificial island constructed during the 1600s to accommodate Portuguese missionaries during Japan's period of isolation, to control their religious activities.  It also served as the residential quarters of the Dutch, who were the only foreigners allowed to trade with Japan during the isolation period.  For 200 years, this 170m x 75m island  is Japan's only window to the world before they reopened the country.  Presently, Dejima is not anymore an island as the area surrounding it had also already been reclaimed.  Restorations, however, are ongoing to bring it back to how it originally looked like.

one of the canals surrounding Dejima

the first ship captain's quarters in Dejima

Macy with two Mr. Miyagis in front of the chief factor's residence

the buildings lining the narrow road in Dejima

Karol outside the Dejima Theater

spot Macy going out of the Archeology Room

posing on the tatami mat

the former Nagasaki International Club

Macy by the scale model of Dejima Dutch trading post

As if we saw UFOs, we shouted "OMG may grapes!!!!!"  Sorry we don't see grapevines everyday.

3.  Nagasaki Peace Park

The Nagasaki Peace Park is located on Urakami, north of Nagasaki city center.  It was built in 1955 near the hypocentre of explosion to commemorate the atomic bombing of the city on August 9, 1945.  

The park's most famous icon is this massive 33 ft-tall Prayer for Peace Statue by Seibou Kitamura.  "The statue's right hand points to the threat of nuclear weapons while the extended left hand symbolizes eternal peace. The mild face symbolizes divine grace and the gently closed eyes offer a prayer for the repose of the bomb victims' souls. The folded right leg and extended left leg signify both meditation and the initiative to stand up and rescue the people of the world.", copy-pasted from Wikipedia, thank you very much.

the bronze statue of peace

Numerous memorials, donated by countries all over the world, also stand on the park's Peace Symbols Zone.

We know, we know... only Asians use umbrellas under the sun.  Well we have the best excuse - we're Asians and we're in Asia!

Nagasaki Peace Bell

"Monument of People's Friendship" from the German Democratic Republic

"Joy of Life" from the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic

"Statue of Peace" from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic

"The Cloak of Peace" from New Zealand

"Infinity" from Turkey

Fountain of Peace

Macy noticed that the fountain is shaped like a pair of wings, so when she took a photo of Karol, she intentionally positioned the camera to make her look like an angel.  Macy was laughing while showing the photo she took.

Later on we found out, that the fountain is really supposed to look like wings. Hahaha.  The fountain sends up a sparkling spray of water in the shape of a pair of wings, evoking the dove of peace.

That's all, peaccceee out!