October 8th - Nagasaki, Japan Part 1

Got off the ship, bought a day pass for the streetcars and headed for the
Nagasaki Peace Park. Was lucky to arrive early, before the ship tours and
the school groups started arriving. The park is dedicated to world peace and
contains sculptures donated by countries from around the world. The main
statue depicts a man with one arm raised to the sky to indicate the threat
of nuclear destruction and the other arm is held horizontally in a gesture
of peace. Next, was the Hypocenter of the Atomic Bomb Explosion and the
Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, where photos and relics were on display showing
the city before and after the explosion, the history of nuclear weapons and
the peace movement.

Then the search for the temples and shrines began. Among those visited were:
Torii Ach at Shinto Shrine, Suwa Shrine, Kufukuji Temple, Sofukuji Temple,
Koei-zan Choshoji Temple and at the end of the day was the Confucian Temple.


Along the way was the Spectacles Bridge, the oldest stone bridge in Japan,
built by the Chinese Zen priest Mozi in 1634.

This was the second day of the annual Nagasaki Kunchi, the festival of the
Suwa Shrine. This has been celebrated for more than 370 years and highlights
are dance and performances by groups representing Nagasaki's various
districts. Followed several groups as they performed and went around
blessing businesses and families. A lot of fun, and felt very fortunate to
witness this event.

The people here, and in the other cities I visited in Japan were so kind,
helpful and friendly - an experience I will treasure.