General Information
IIn 1858, the Edo Shogunate concluded the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Britain, the United States, the Netherlands, Russia, and France. As a result, foreign traders from these countries came to Nagasaki and lived in the Foreign Settlement built by the Japanese authorities in the Minami-Yamate area.
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In 1858, the Edo Shogunate concluded the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Britain, the United States, the Netherlands, Russia, and France. As a result, foreign traders from these countries came to Nagasaki and lived in the Foreign Settlement built by the Japanese authorities in the Minami-Yamate area.
In 1974, four Western-style buildings—the Former Steel Academy, Former Walker House, Former Jiyutei, and Former Mitsubishi No. 2 Dock House—were relocated or rebuilt from their original locations in the Foreign Settlement to “Nagasaki Meiji Village” (now known as “Glover Garden”).
The Foreign Settlement was divided into three areas, from the coast inland: the prime land, the middle-grade land, and the low-grade land. Foreign traders established trading posts and warehouses on the high-rent prime land. The middle-grade land behind it was filled with hotels, banks, and recreational facilities, while houses, churches, and consulates were built on the hilly low-grade land.
About 800 Western-style houses were built throughout Nagasaki City during the Meiji era. However, due to aging, the number of such houses has decreased, and only about 70 remain today.
Former Mitsubishi Second Dock House
The Former Mitsubishi Second Dock House is a wooden, two-storied Western-style house built in 1896 (Meiji 29). It was moved to Glover Garden in 1974 (Showa 49). The Dock House served as accommodation for ship crews undergoing repairs at the dock. Located at the highest point of Glover Park, it offers a beautiful view of Nagasaki port from the second floor.
Mitsubishi Industries Nagasaki Shipyard was founded in 1861 by the Edo Shogunate as Nagasaki Steel Works, and the private company Mitsubishi began managing it in 1884. This Dock House, built with the completion of the second dock, is regarded as the start of Mitsubishi Shipyard’s history.
The Former Alt House
The Former Alt House is a Western-style residence where William J. Alt, who ran a tea trading company named “Alt & Co.,” lived.
The house was built by a Japanese carpenter from Amakusa, who also constructed Oura Tenshudō (the Oura Church). Although the blueprint was written in English, Japanese dimensions were added to it. Notable features include the fountain in front, the carriage porch, and the Tuscan-style colonnade.
The former Steele Memorial Academy
The Former Steele Memorial Academy was constructed in 1887 in Higashiyamate, Nagasaki City. It was named after Dr. Steele, an American who donated funds in memory of his son, who passed away at the age of eighteen. The building was later donated to Nagasaki City and relocated to its present site in 1973.
The former Ringer House
The Former Ringer House was the private residence of Frederick Ringer, a British merchant active in the Meiji era (late 19th to early 20th century). After working at Glover & Co., he established his own firm, “Holme, Ringer & Co.,” and expanded his business into diverse fields such as international trade, deep-sea fisheries, gas supply, tea production, and milling. His entrepreneurial efforts contributed significantly to the industrial development of Nagasaki at the time. Ringer later succeeded Glover as the leader of the Nagasaki foreign settlement. The Ringer Hut chain of fast-food restaurants is named in his honor.
The former Walker House
Mr. Robert Walker Jr. took over the trading business from his father, Robert Neil Walker (who established R.N. Walker & Co. in 1898), and bought this house to live in with his wife and son. The house was relocated to Glover Garden in 1974.
The former Glover House
The Former Glover House was the private residence of Thomas Blake Glover, a British merchant active from the late Edo period into the Meiji period (mid-19th to early 20th century). It is notable as the oldest surviving Western-style wooden building in Japan and the first to blend Japanese and Western architectural elements. Distinctive features include its L-shaped bungalow layout, roof with fan-shaped tiles, brick chimney, and large colonial-style windows.
Glover arrived in Japan at age 21 and began trading in tea and silk. He supported anti-shogunate factions such as the Chōshū and Satsuma domains and provided shelter for loyalist patriots. He also imported weapons, ammunition, and second-hand warships for them. Together with the Satsuma domain, he established the Kōsuga ship repair yard, though Glover & Co. eventually went bankrupt in 1870.
He further collaborated with the Saga domain to develop the Takashima coal mine, though operations were halted due to flooding. Other notable contributions include assisting in the launch of the Osaka Mint, serving as an advisor to the Mitsubishi conglomerate, and co-founding Kirin Beer with Meidi-ya. Glover played a significant role in the early industrialization of modern Japan.
