Shinchi Chinatown in Nagasaki is the oldest Chinatown in the world. It started during the 17th century when it was the only port open to China during the era of isolation. Needless to say, this part of Nagasaki feels like China. Everything is in Chinese and not a hint of Japanese can be traced here, which makes it really cool. Like a world within another world.

You can find lots of Asian ingredients in Chinatown. Like all Chinatowns in the world, everything stocked are not only from china but from various other asian countries as well. This is why, going to Shinchi Chinatown would be a great experience for those of you who wants to experience true Chinese culture without forking out a fortune to go to China.

Nagasaki Chinatown

How to get there?

Nagasaki’s Chinatown is a short walk from the “Tsukimachi” tram stop on the tram lines number 1 and 5. Check out the map at Japan-Guide.

Nagasaki (Japanese: 長崎市, Nagasaki-shi) is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan. It was formerly part of Nishisonogi District. Nagasaki was a center of European influence in feudal Japan from first contact through the isolationist era until the opening of Japan and the resultant modernization of Japan during the Meiji Restoration. It became a major Imperial Japanese Navy base during the First Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War.

Also, the city became the second and last city in the world to be bombed by a nuclear weapon (plutonium bomb), following Hiroshima.

There are many interesting travel spots around Nagasaki and among them are the Nagasaki Peace Park that commemorates the loss of lives due to the horrible times when the A bomb dropped. There is another Peace Park of the likes in Hiroshima as well. It is our duty as human beings to visit these parks because today, more than ever, we need to know how devastating war is and remember so that history shall not repeat itself again.

ANother place of visit would be Sofukuji, an Obaku Zen temple with a Chinese appearance. The temple is really a beautiful sight to behold that and is a school to Japanese Zen Buddhism.

Other places of interests are:

Confucian Shrine, Chinatown, Meganebashi, Glover Garden, Oura Church, Dutch Slope.