General Information
In 1858, the Edo Shogunate concluded the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Britain, the United States, Holland, 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. More about Meiji-Ishin, Click here.
In 1974, four Western-style buildings were relocated or rebuilt in “Nagasaki Meiji Village” (now known as “Glover Garden”) from their original locations in the Foreign Settlement. These buildings include the Former Steel Academy, Former Walker House, Former Jiyutei, and Former Mitsubishi No.2 Dog House.
The Foreign Settlement was divided into three areas, from near the coast inwards: the prime land, the middle-grade land, and the low-grade land. Foreign traders established trading posts and storehouses on the high-rent prime land. The middle-grade land to the rear was filled with hotels, banks, and recreational facilities. 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 these houses has decreased, and now only 70 houses remain.
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 house where Mr. William J. Alt, who ran a tea business company named “Alt Firm,” lived.
A Japanese carpenter from Amakusa, who also built Oura Tenshu Do church, constructed this house. The blueprint of this house was written in English, but Japanese dimensions were added to it. Notable features include the fountain in front, the carriage porch, and the Toscana-style colonnade.
The former Steele Memorial Academy
The Former Steele Memorial Academy was constructed in 1887 at Higashiyamate, Nagasaki City. It was named after Dr. Steele, an American who donated funds in memory of his son who died at the age of eighteen. This building was donated to Nagasaki City and moved to its present location in 1973.
The former Ringer House
The Former Ringer House was the private residence of Mr. Frederick Ringer, a British merchant in the Meiji era (late 19th to early 20th century). After working at Glover & Co., he started his own company, “Holme Ringer & Co.,” to develop his business in various fields such as trade, deep-sea fishery, gas supply, tea production, and milling. His contributions greatly aided the industrial development of Nagasaki during that era. He became the leader of the Nagasaki foreign settlement after Glover. The Ringer Hut chain of fast-food restaurants is named after him.
The former Walker House
Mr. Robert Walker Jr was given trade business by his father, Mr.Robert Neil Walker (who established “R.N.Walker & Co.” in 1898) and bought this house to live with his wife and son. This house was moved to Grover Park in 1974.
The former Glover House
The Former Glover House was the private residence of Mr. Thomas Blake Glover, a British merchant during the late Edo period and Meiji period (mid-19th to early 20th century). It is famous for being the oldest Western-style wooden structure in Japan and the first to incorporate Japanese-Western architectural elements. Key features of this house include an L-shaped bungalow, a roof thatched with fan-shaped tiles, a brick chimney, and large colonial-style windows.
Glover came to Japan at the age of 21 and began his trade business, exporting tea and silk. He supported anti-shogunate groups such as the Choshu and Satsuma Domains and sheltered loyal patriots. He imported weapons, ammunition, and second-hand warships for them. He established the Kosuga ship repairing house with the Satsuma Domain, but Glover & Co. went bankrupt in 1870.
He also developed the Takashima coal mine in cooperation with the Saga Domain, but it was closed due to flooding. Other notable achievements include the startup of the Osaka Mint, serving as an adviser to the Mitsubishi conglomerate, and the establishment of Kirin Beer with the Meijiya company. Glover contributed greatly to the development of modern Japan in its early days.
