Within the Nagasaki City's Glover Garden lies the former residence of the Englishman Thomas Glover as well as some historical buildings which are open for viewing.
In 2015, the former Glover Residence was registered as a part of the nation's Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining, and is a World Cultural Heritage site.
The residence is famous for its Bungalow-style of architecture and for being the oldest example of Western architecture in Japan. Active as an arms dealer, Glover visited Japan in 1859 after the country opened itself up to the world, and was one of the people who contributed to the modernization of the country.
Dismantled and relocated to the garden, the Former Mitsubishi Second Dock House is a very well balanced and symmetrical building in the western mode. The dock house provided accommodation for crews when their ships were docked in the port.
With its beautiful architecture, the building is visible as you enter the garden and feature some famous ship models being exhibited inside.
Erected within the gardens is a monument dedicated to the beginnings of western cuisine in Japan. A restaurant known as Jiya-tei is thought to be the first restaurant to serve western food in Japan. The restaurant was relocated to Glover Garden in 1974. At that time, it was an extremely popular restaurant while these days, it is used as a cafe. The interior is an old sense of western design and luxury.
Nearby lies Oura Church, also known as the Church of the 26 Martyrs. Built just after Japan ended its policy of national seclusion, it makes for a nice side trip when visiting Glover Garden.
As of March 2020, the former Glover Residence is closed due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Please refer to the official website for information regarding when visiting restrictions will be lifted.
