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Glover Garden
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · JP

Glover Garden

Getting around: Take the tram from Nagasaki Station to the Oura Tenshudo-shita stop, about 15-20 minutes, then a short uphill walk (or use the escalators provided).
Hours: Typically 8am-6pm (extended for evening illumination in some seasons), open daily; paid admission.

Glover Garden is a hillside park of preserved Western-style houses built by foreign merchants in the late 1800s after Nagasaki's port opened to international trade, including the residence of Thomas Glover, a Scottish merchant who played a significant role in Japan's industrialization. The garden's terraced paths give sweeping views over Nagasaki harbor, and escalators help visitors ascend the sloped site.

Several of the houses relate to Nagasaki's connections with opera — the setting for Puccini's Madama Butterfly is loosely tied to the city — and the mix of colonial-era architecture and harbor views makes it one of Nagasaki's most scenic stops.

Glover Garden FAQs

Who was Thomas Glover?

A Scottish merchant who settled in Nagasaki in the 1800s and played a notable role in Japan's early industrialization, including involvement in shipbuilding and the origins of what became Mitsubishi and Kirin.

Is there an entrance fee?

Yes, a paid admission covers the garden and historic houses.

How steep is the walk?

The site is on a hillside, but escalators are provided to help visitors move between terraces.

How long should I plan for a visit?

About 1-1.5 hours.

What's the connection to Madama Butterfly?

Nagasaki is the setting of Puccini's opera, and Glover Garden references this loose historical and cultural connection in some of its exhibits and views.

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