Glover Garden

I visited Glover Garden on an excruciatingly hot August weekend. Honestly, I wish I had gone in fall, winter, or spring—it was far too hot to stop and fully admire the beautiful scenery. Still, I managed to capture the stunning view of Nagasaki Harbor from Glover House, which made the visit worthwhile. Surprisingly, even though it was a weekend, the garden wasn’t very crowded, so it felt calm and easy to explore. Summer isn’t the best time to visit if you can’t handle the heat and humidity. Cooler seasons would make strolling through the gardens far more enjoyable. Admission is ¥620 for adults, and while there’s no free parking on-site, several paid parking lots are conveniently located nearby.

Glover Garden is a lovely destination that beautifully showcases the rich history of Nagasaki and its development. It's a photogenic spot that appeals to photography enthusiasts, capturing the charm of the area perfectly. As I walked through the displayed homes, I was filled with nostalgia, as they reminded me of my childhood home in Pennsylvania. The small, inviting architecture felt so familiar, evoking cherished memories from my upbringing. Strolling through the gardens and homes created a delightful connection to both my past and the fascinating history of Nagasaki. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a blend of beauty and heritage!

Must visit if you have extra time after Peace Park and the bomb museum. It is basically an estate converted to a museum/exhibit garden. Details the time after Japan's period of isolation and its rapid industrialization. There is a great showcase of boat floats near the gift shop, don't miss it.

Very nice gardens, easy to walk through, even though it's on a hillside. To go up there are escalators, to go down stairs or ramps. The tea house seems to be closed until 2027, but not sure as I don't read Japanese. But there is a coffee truck available just next to it.

We visited Glover Garden during our trip to Nagasaki, and honestly, it felt like stepping back into a romantic chapter of history. Set on the hillside of Minami-Yamate, the garden is full of charming Western-style buildings from the Meiji era, including the famous Glover Residence—the oldest Western-style wooden house in Japan. Walking along the cobblestone paths lined with seasonal flowers, I loved how the architecture blends Western design with Japanese roof tiles and beautiful gardens. Inside the Glover House, the period furniture and sunlit rooms really made it easy to imagine life back then for foreign merchants living here. The views over Nagasaki Harbor from different spots were absolutely breathtaking—the crisp air, distant mountains, and sparkling bay made for some of my favorite photo moments. One fun surprise was finding the “Heart Stones” hidden along the paths—there’s a local legend that couples who find and touch them will stay together, which added a cute, romantic touch to the visit. What I really appreciated was the peaceful vibe of the whole place. It wasn’t overcrowded, so we could take our time exploring and just soak in the atmosphere. The garden is easy to navigate with escalators and plenty of benches to relax on, making the visit comfortable and leisurely. If you’re visiting Nagasaki, I’d definitely recommend Glover Garden. It’s a beautiful mix of history, architecture, and nature that makes for a really memorable experience.