Nagasaki WW2 History and Culture Tour

The first thing you see is the huge Torii (Gate Entrance of Shinto Shrines) and you know from its sheer size you know this is not a normal location. The Sohonzan Shrine ticks every box and cultural component. In its own right it is one of the highlight attractions of the whole day. I know that a lot of people will say, not another Shrine, but its always been such a beautiful and awe inspiring location, I am absolutely sure you will be glad to not have missed it!

Hario Straits is one of Japan's three fastest flowing currents and is famous for its whirlpools created by the seawater from the expansive Omura Bay rushing through the narrow strait during the changing tides. The rate of the whirlpools increases particularly at springtime and there is also a beautiful park where we can enjoy a picnic and the seasonal flowers.

A real historical and important WW2 site that still remains in Nagasaki to this day, is called the Hario Transmission Towers. They were the starting point of the message sent by officials to proceed with the attack on Pearl Harbor. As a result of this, the Hario Transmission Towers will forever be remember if only in an infamous way.

Every now and then in my travels around Nagasaki Prefecture you come upon a special place that instantly makes a strong and lasting impression on you. Umegae Sake Brewery is just one of these places and as a result of this positive and uplifting experience we intend to make this location a regular attraction on our full day tours. The fact that they allow customers to explore the factory at their own leisure is not customary at all in the Sake Brewing world. There are a huge variety of Sake (Japanese Rice Wine) Shochu (Japanese Distilled Spirits) and Liqueurs (including Japan's famous Plum wine) more than enough to satisfy everyone. On sunny days, we have a picnic lunch in the traditional Japanese gardens on site. Doesn't get any better than this!

Mukyudo during World War II, was the air-raid shelter of the former Miyamura Elementary and Junior High School. The reason why this Air Raid Shelter is unique when compared to others is the fact that both male and female students as well as their teachers at the time were responsible for making and maintaining the shelter. Not only was the shelter used as a classroom in times of bombing by the Allied Forces but was also used by the community in and around the school. As most of the towns members were elderly (most of the men were away fighting in the war) the students were basically responsible for protecting their community from foreign forces.

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 before and during WW2.

Hasami Ceramics Museum is a place that all Ceramic and Porcelain enthusiasts should visit whilst traveling in and around Nagasaki Prefecture. Not only does it display Japanese and specifically Hasami Porcelain but it takes you on a historical tour of ceramics from around the globe and how these influences and techniques from abroad have made it all the way to Japan and into the Hasami Ceramic Community.

Nagasaki Peace Park today is a very peaceful place to stroll about and reflect on this frightening event in mankind's history. Let's hope that the mistakes of the past are never repeated again and the world can live peacefully without Nuclear threats of destruction. A walk around this solemn but special place always provides me with the strength and resolve that the mistakes of the past happen again and we should always do everything humanly possible to make this happen as a human race.

It is a very sobering place and definitely not for the faint hearted as the stories, exhibits and pictures are extremely graphic. There hasn't been a time when i haven't seen someone crying out loud and or emotionally uncontrollable. This museum definitely isn't every one's cup of tea. However, it is important to remember history and not to forget about the past as this is the way we don't make the same mistakes of the past.

The Mount Inasa Nightview in Nagasaki is a unbelievable place to visit. The daytime views are in a world of there own but in relation to the nighttime view it rates rather poorly in my opinion. Words don't explain this incredible place like the way they should and this view needs to be seen to be believed. Without a doubt one of the most scenic views in all of Nagasaki and probably in all of Japan. It is a place that I try to bring every visitor and customer that comes to Nagasaki as it really brings out the highlights of everything Nagasaki has to offer in terms of beauty and nature from its scenic location to its panorama.