王小鈞's Reviews Page 6/31

Ever since watching the Thai movie "Haunted Island," I'd been very curious about Gunkanjima. This time, I finally had the chance to set foot on the island, and it really felt like a movie scene had come to life!

Luckily, the day I visited happened to be one of the days with a **Chinese-speaking guide (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)**. Listening to the commentary along the way helped me better understand the island's story.

Before the boat even docked, I could see the island's densely packed, abandoned large buildings from a distance. After landing and seeing the crumbling ruins, at first glance it was really easy to think this was some kind of postwar site.

But it actually isn't.

It has been about 50 years since Gunkanjima's residents left. The island was once very prosperous, and **about two-thirds of its area was later expanded through land reclamation**. After years of erosion from typhoons, sea winds, and rain, it gradually became the abandoned yet historic-looking place it is today.

The area you can actually visit isn't very large, and you can't get a full view of the entire island from there. So when we left, we had the boat **circle the island once counterclockwise and once clockwise**. With commentary in Chinese and Japanese, we were also able to see the areas we'd missed while on the island.

Overall, it was very worthwhile.

Standing among these ruins, it's hard to imagine that so many people lived here 50 years ago and that it even had such complete amenities.

Chiwata Station sits right by the sea, with the vast Omura Bay stretching out beyond the platform. There aren't many tourists, and it's really relaxing to just sit here and gaze at the water.

The small wooden station has a retro feel, and with the ocean view, every photo looks like a scene from a Japanese movie.

Especially in the evening, as the sun slowly sets, the scenery is so beautiful that it's hard to leave.

Trains don't run very often here, so if you're making a special trip to take photos, be sure to check the schedule first. Otherwise, after taking your photos, you may have no choice but to... keep waiting for the train.

If you like ocean views and old stations but don't want to be stuck in crowded tourist spots, Chiwata Station is definitely worth visiting.

Sometimes it's these unassuming little places in Nagasaki that end up being especially unforgettable.

After visiting the sights around Nagasaki, I came to Dejima Wharf to enjoy the sea breeze and instantly felt relaxed〜

There’s a whole row of restaurants and cafes along Nagasaki Port. It’s really pleasant to sit by the water, eat something, have a cup of coffee, and look out at the harbor. When the weather is nice, the sea breeze feels especially refreshing. It’s definitely a place where you can unwind and take a leisurely walk.

It’s very close to Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, only a few minutes’ walk away. Chinatown, Dejima Wharf, and Megane Bridge fit perfectly into a single day, without having to keep taking transportation back and forth. These sights in central Nagasaki are already clustered together, so they’re perfect for exploring slowly on foot.

After eating in Chinatown, I slowly walked over, browsing the shops and enjoying the scenery along the way. It was actually quite pleasant.

Megane Bridge itself isn’t very large, but seeing its reflection on the water from beside the bridge is truly distinctive, so it’s no wonder it has become one of Nagasaki’s signature sights.

I didn’t plan anything special. I just walked over to take a look and snap some photos, and even something this simple felt quite interesting.

When you come to Nagasaki, of course you have to visit Shinchi Chinatown, one of Japan's three major Chinatowns!

The whole area is actually pretty small. The four gates give it a distinct Chinatown feel, and the streets are lined with Chinese restaurants, dessert shops, souvenir stores, and some unique little shops.

There were still tourists on a weekday, but the area really is quite small.

Even taking your time and stopping for photos, you can finish walking around it pretty quickly.

If you're not specifically planning to eat here, it's a nice place to stop by, see the streetscape, experience Nagasaki's unique Chinese culture, and have a quick look around〜

If you visit Mojiko Port, be sure to check out Blue Wing Moji.

This 108-meter-long blue bridge is Japan's only pedestrian-only drawbridge, and it opens six times a day to let boats pass. Watching the bridge slowly rise to about 60 degrees as boats pass through is truly unique and makes you want to keep taking photos!

From the bridge, you can also see the impressive Kanmon Bridge in the distance and enjoy the sea breeze and views of the Kanmon Strait. The scenery is every bit as beautiful as the popular attractions. If you're lucky, you may catch the moment the bridge opens, which is truly breathtaking!

When visiting Mojiko Port, don't forget to check the bridge opening times in advance. This unique sight can only be seen here and is definitely worth stopping to enjoy.

Mojiko Station was one of my favorite stations on this trip to Kyushu.

The entire wooden building has a retro feel, and stepping inside is like going back a hundred years. What stands out most is its symmetrical design, which is said to be based on the concept of a “gate.” It’s simple but distinctive.

Even though it’s just a station, I couldn’t help stopping to take more photos and look around every corner. Together with the nostalgic streets of Mojiko Port, it really has the atmosphere of an old Japanese port town.

If, like me, you enjoy old buildings and traveling at a leisurely pace, Mojiko Station is sure to leave a lasting impression.

The Kanmon Straits Tunnel was more interesting than I expected!

I thought it would just be a walk through a tunnel, but I didn't expect to be able to walk from Honshu to Kyushu. It was a truly special experience. The route is a little over 700 meters long and takes about 15 minutes to complete. It's flat and easy to walk, like taking a stroll under the sea.

The one thing you shouldn't miss is the marker at the border between Yamaguchi and Fukuoka Prefectures. Standing in the middle with one foot in Honshu and the other in Kyushu, many people take photos here as a souvenir.

No boat or car needed—just a short walk lets you cross between two islands and two prefectures. I highly recommend experiencing this unique Kanmon Straits walk for yourself and making a different kind of travel memory.

While strolling around Mojiko, I was unexpectedly drawn to this century-old Western-style building. The Former Moji Mitsui Club was built in 1921, and the entire building has a European feel. The dark wood paired with white window frames gives it an elegant look, and it looks great in every photo. It used to be a place where Mitsui Bussan entertained guests, and even Einstein stayed here when he visited Japan!

What I like most is that this old building doesn't feel overly commercial and just stands quietly on a street corner. Taking your time to walk around and look at it, it has more character than you'd expect. When you visit Mojiko, don't just focus on taking pictures of the harbor—this building is also worth stopping by.

Mifuneyama Rakuen is really so large that it feels like a forest park. It's very pleasant to take a leisurely stroll along the flower-viewing paths, surrounded by greenery the whole way. It feels very relaxing.

The timing of this visit was a little unfortunate, since it was neither cherry blossom season nor fall foliage season, so it was a little less impressive. Still, it was well worth it just to enjoy the garden scenery and take a leisurely walk. If I can come again when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring or when the mountain is covered in red leaves in fall, I'm sure it will be so beautiful that I won't want to leave.