Kofukuji Temple

This temple in Nagasaki is unique because it was built for Chinese people residing in Nagasaki. It is one of the kara-dera in Nagasaki. Therefore, the temple does not look like ordinary Japanese temples. You can see Chinese features here and there. The color red is used in many places. It belongs to the Oubaku sect, founded by Master Ingen.

Kara-Dera: This refers to Chinese temples in Nagasaki.

Master Ingen: He was a Buddhist monk who came to Japan from China in the early 17th century.  He founded the Oubaku sect.  The name Ingen remains in the name of Ingen Mame, green beans. 

Sofukuji Temple

This temple was built for the people who came from Fujian Province, China. It was one of the Kara (Chinese) temples in Nagasaki. You will see a lot of Chinese features about this temple.  The main hall and the first gate are designated as National Treasures.   

China Town

This is the third largest Chinatown in Japan, following those in Yokohama and Kobe. One crossroads goes through Chinatown. Both streets of the crossroads are a five-minute walk. After you enter the town, you can reach the other end in a short time. The streets are lined with Chinese restaurants and souvenir shops decorated in red (红色, Hóngsè) and yellow (黄色, Huángsè). Red is the color of luck and vitality for Chinese people, and yellow is the color of royalty and emperors.  

“福” Upside Down: This is a lucky charm paper with one kanji character written upside-down. This is not a specialty of Chinatown in Nagasaki; it is often seen in Chinese restaurants everywhere. The kanji is 福, meaning blessing. This upside-down kanji is called “倒福” (Dào fú), which sounds the same as “到福,” meaning “Blessing Come.”