Glover Garden in Japan

Glover Garden in Japan exemplifies the oldest existing Western style architecture. It is a popular attraction of Nagasaki. The Glover garden was built when Nagasaki played a major role as an important international sea-port of Japan. Glover House was called Ipponmatsu meaning Single Pine Tree. In the early 20th century, the tree was cut down. Located along the Minamiyamate hillside looking down upon the Nagasaki harbor, the house was constructed by Hidenoshin Koyama of Amakusa Island. It is here that the western merchants resided during the second half of the nineteenth century. The construction work was finally completed in 1863. It has been recognized as a significant cultural asset. The house and its environs are evocative of Puccini's opera and therefore called - Madame Butterfly House. - The Glover Garden has preserved sculptures of Puccini and diva Miura Tamaki. Thomas Blake Glover arrived in Nagasaki in Japan in 1859. He stayed on in Japan for the remaining of his life. He contributed immensely to Japan on the road to modernization. He played a major role in Meiji restoration and the house played host to several clandestine meetings. The house also played host to many British politicians and ministers.

Features of Glover Garden in Japan:

- The garden is home to Ringer House (built 1865 for Frederick Ringer) and Alt House (built for William Alt). The Glover House, Ringer House and Alt House played host to Pierre Loti who made Nagasaki his base for a novel which inspired Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly.
- The Garden is open to public viewing and draws in over 2 millions tourists every year.
- The Garden is home to Glover's house. Thomas Glover played a major role in modernizing Japan. He gave Japan its first western style slip dock near Nagasaki and first modern coal mine in the island of Takashima.
- The Garden also houses buildings of other foreign residents. These buildings were initially situated in other parts of Nagasaki and were later relocated to the Glover Garden for the convenience of visitors.
- This open air-museum offers a breathtaking view of the city.

How to Reach Glover Garden in Japan:
Take a five minute walk - Ouratenshudo-shita - tram station on the line number 5 to reach Glover Garden in Nagasaki. The entrance is adjacent to the Oura Catholic Church.