Nagasaki
Nagasaki is a small city in the west of Japan,
surrounded by mountains and the sea. Since olden
times, Nagasaki has played an important role in
Japan’s exchange with other countries. During
Japan’s period of National Isolation, Nagasaki
provided the one window to the outside world, and
relationships with the Chinese and the Dutch
continued there. Then from the Meiji Era, Nagasaki
flourished as a trading port, and became one of the
gateways to Japan from abroad.
Nagasaki is a well-known sightseeing area. In the
surrounding areas there is a lot of evidence of past
exchange with China, Holland, and other European
countries; for example, Chinatown, a Confucian
Shrine, Chinese-style temples and houses,
Western-style houses, and Glover Garden.
At the end of World War II, a large number of lives
were lost and great suffering caused by the
dropping of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Still today,
Nagasaki is appealing against nuclear weapons and
working to send messages promoting peace to the
world.
Having grown up in a climate influenced by this
history, the people of Nagasaki are, in general, very
open and friendly to foreigners. Compared with the
big Japanese cities, Nagasaki is safe, has relatively
cheap prices, and is generally a place where
international students find it easy to live. Also, as
Kwassui’s residence hall has places available for
international students, it is possible to make friends
from various countries while concentrating on study
in a secure environment.
