Saki Disney Travel Agents Near Me

Overview

Introduction

The ancient port city of Nagasaki was destroyed by the second atomic bomb dropped by U.S. forces in World War II. Today, this city on the western coast of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's main islands and 594 mi/956 km southwest of Tokyo, is a thriving industrial port and a pleasant mixture of East and West, as well as a confluence of Japanese and Chinese cultures. Without the presence of the bomb memorials, a visitor would never know the city had been mostly destroyed.

No other port in Japan rivals the significance of Nagasaki. Not only was it the most convenient harbor for ships coming from China, it became the only port open for international trade when the shogunate closed the country to foreigners in 1633. Thanks to this steady trickle of foreign culture, Nagasaki retains an old international atmosphere not found in most of the country.

History

The bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 7 December 1941 brought the U.S. into World War II. Japanese and Allied forces battled fiercely for control of island after island across the Pacific. Then on 6 August 1945, 11 days after Japan's leaders ignored the Potsdam Declaration demanding their surrender, the world's first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Three days later on 9 August, a second atomic bomb devastated Nagasaki, and six days later, on 15 August, the Japanese surrendered.

Potpourri

Buildings are numbered according to when they were built, not their location on a street. To find a business or home, you may need to do as the locals do: Take the address to the neighborhood police box (or koban)—they're everywhere. You may find maps posted around, but they're of little help unless you read Japanese.

Should you have problems making your English understood by people who claim to speak the language (or have difficulty understanding someone speaking it), try writing out your messages. Many Japanese understand written English better than the spoken version.

Location

Cruise ships dock at Matsugae Pier, which offers no facilities for cruise ship passengers. However, most of the city's attractions, including the waterfront promenade and the Glover Garden, are within a 20-minute walk from the pier. A tram stop is also within easy walking distance. Taxis are abundant at the port entrance and around the city.

Shore Excursions

A full-day shore excursion can cover nearly all of the major sights of Nagasaki. Tour operators will certainly include the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park, as well as Glover Garden's historic homes. Other possibilities include the Oura Church, famous as one of Japan's first after 200 years of fatal persecution of Christians, and Dejima, a now land-locked island that used to be the only place where Dutch traders were permitted to dock during Japan's long isolation.

Overview

Introduction

Scenic surroundings and a spectacular gorge are among the main attractions of this city. Originally sited lower down the hill, Saki was moved to its present location after a devastating flood. Long famed as a silk center, it was once the site of the Soviet Union's largest silk plant. Saki also has a khan's summer palace (with a fresco, 80 ft/25 m long), a reconstructed Persian caravansary and a fortress. Northwest of Saki is Zaqatala, which has the ruins of an old fortress. Zaqatala is mainly of historic interest—the fortress was used after the 1905 Revolution in Russia as a prison for the mutinous crew of the battleship Potemkin. 235 mi/380 km northwest of Baku.