Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown | Review by 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人

I really love red pandas, so almost every time I travel to Japan, I specifically look for zoos in the cities I visit where I might be able to see them. On this trip to Fukuoka, of course I didn’t hesitate to set aside half a day to visit the Fukuoka Zoo and Botanical Garden for some relaxation and healing.

It’s actually very close to downtown and easy to reach by bus. The zoo and botanical garden are connected, and the lush green surroundings make it very pleasant to walk around. Best of all, on the day I visited, the keepers happened to be training the red pandas. I got to watch them interact with the keepers up close and nimbly climb up and down the wooden structures. They were unbelievably cute. The zoo had also thoughtfully placed benches next to the exhibit, so I sat there quietly watching them lounge around and eat, enjoying a peaceful and healing moment all to myself. Being completely melted by these adorable little creatures during my trip made me feel truly happy. Maybe this is what traveling is all about.

When I visited Kumamoto Castle this time, it happened to be around dusk, and I caught a beautiful sunset while walking there from my hotel. When I reached Sakuranobaba Josaien, I was also lucky enough to see a samurai performance featuring performers in impressive historical costumes. The nearby Wakuwakuza is one of the area's main buildings. If you plan to visit both Kumamoto Castle and Wakuwakuza, discounted combination tickets are also available on-site. The museum mainly presents historical information and details about the daily lives of feudal lords and samurai during the Edo period, along with an introduction to what Kumamoto Castle looked like in the past.

However, since I wanted to spend more time enjoying the nighttime view of Kumamoto Castle after it was illuminated, I only took a quick look around the museum. As a side stop on the itinerary, it offers a strong sense of history, but if you're worried about not having enough energy, I recommend saving your time for visiting Kumamoto Castle.

When I visited Glover Garden in Nagasaki this time, I happened to have beautiful weather with clear blue skies. Although the park thoughtfully provides escalators, my feet still got a little sore after walking around and taking photos, and that was when I spotted the historic Jiyutei Cafe.

At the entrance, there was information about one of Japan's early chefs of Western cuisine, along with a statue, which made me want to step inside and take a closer look. I ordered a classic cup of coffee and slowly enjoyed it indoors. The summer heat disappeared instantly, and the setting was so comfortable that I didn't want to leave. However, I heard that the building will be closed for renovations and maintenance beginning in the second half of 2025 and may not reopen to the public until sometime after 2027. If you have a chance to visit, it's a great place to stop when you're tired from walking around the park, experience its Western-style historical atmosphere, and enjoy the charming views of Nagasaki's harbor and cityscape from above.