Confucius Shrine (Koshi-byo)

The Nagasaki Confucius Shrine, known locally as Kōshi-byō, stands as the only Confucian shrine built by and for Chinese people outside China. The original structure was built in 1893 by Nagasaki's Chinese community with support from the Qing dynasty government, serving initially as both a place of worship and a primary school for Chinese residents. The shrine suffered severe damage during the atomic bombing of August 9, 1945, and was not restored and reopened to the public until September 1967, with extensive renovations completed in 1982.

The shrine's architectural and cultural significance lies in its authentic Chinese design, featuring ornate buildings with yellow roofs, red and gold decoration, and white marble flagstones. Standing in the courtyard are 72 life-size stone statues weighing around two tons each, representing the disciples of Confucius. The main hall houses Japan's largest seated statue of Confucius, standing 2 meters high, created in Qufu, Shandong Province, China. The land itself is owned by the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, making it technically Chinese sovereign territory.

Visitors enter through an ornate gate adorned with dragons, phoenixes, and mythical creatures, then proceed to a courtyard flanked by the sage statues. The main hall provides access to a seated Confucius statue, while the rear of the complex houses the Historical Museum of China, established in 1983. The museum displays more than 80 treasure-class articles on loan from the Chinese National Museum and Palace Museum in Beijing, including terracotta warriors, jade artifacts, and Qing dynasty porcelain.

A small garden with a bridge and pond at the entrance allows visitors to feed koi fish for a small fee. The shrine serves as a major venue during the Nagasaki Lantern Festival, hosting dragon dances, mask-changing performances, and traditional Chinese arts.

The shrine is accessible via Nagasaki's electric tramway. Take tram Line 5 and alight at Ouratenshudoshita or Ishibashi stops, both a short walk from the entrance. Alternatively, from Nagasaki Station, take Tram Line 1 to Shinchi Chinatown, then transfer to Line 5. The entrance fee is ¥660 for adults, ¥440 for high school students, and ¥330 for elementary and junior high students, which includes access to both the shrine grounds and the museum.