Who were Japan's first tourists? And why Kyushu? / ニックの九州旅 – 長崎 雲仙は日本初インバウンド受入地?!

Westerners have vacationed in the cool hills of Unzen for almost 150 years. In fact, it may well have been Japan’s first vacation destination for westerners. In 1870 a trekking ban for foreigners was lifted, and small numbers of internationals began to explore and enjoy the area. A few years later, foreigners mainly living in Nagasaki and other parts of Kyushu began visiting Unzen as a summer resort. At 700 m above sea level, It’s usually five degrees cooler than below, and the hills, lakes, and forests felt familiar to the westerners. Word spread, and expats living in Shanghai would travel by ship via Nagasaki to spend weeks, even months here. They golfed, rode horses, practiced archery, swam in the lake, hiked, and enjoyed garden parties and ballroom dancing.

Chapters
Historic background: 1:00
The Hells: 2:35
Museum: 2:48
The Hells and hidden Christians: 3:37
Tea shop: 4:20
Nostalgic toy shop: 4:40
Lemonade and crackers: 5:20
Lookout: 6:00
Kyushu Kanko Hotel: 6:28
Nick in hot springs: 07:23

日本で唯一、西洋に開かれた場所でもあった長崎。標高700mの場所には、150年近く前から避暑地として欧米人に親しまれた雲仙があります。上海ー長崎航路があった当時、上海に暮らす欧米人たちは、雲仙の森や湖畔を訪れ、ゴルフや乗馬、パーティなどを楽しんでいたようです。

Nick no Kyushu Tabi! / ニックの九州旅！
Welcome to a new series of video reports in collaboration with the Kyushu Tourism Organization. Each month Nick shares a 10-minute video report based on a recent Kyushu Live episode with extra footage and reporting. Let’s dive deeper into Kyushu together! Then Nick joins the very knowledgeable and entertaining Koji Karaike, Kyushu Tourism Organization, Chairperson for lively discussion on the topic. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/Gdhx7oDcQtw

九州をこよなく愛する Fukuoka Now 編集長のニック・サーズが、九州各地をレポートする旅チャンネル「ニックの九州旅」。九州観光機構とのコラボレーションで毎月1回、10分程のビデオをお届けします。九州観光機構の公式YouTube「チャンネル九州塾」では、唐池恒二塾長とのトークも配信中です。https://youtu.be/Gdhx7oDcQtw

Learn more about tourism in Kyushu here:
Channel Kyushu Juku – Kyushu Tourism Organization /
【公式】チャンネル九州塾　ー九州観光機構ー
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsUAcoQNg7hhvOVuw785Vbw

This episode of Nick no Kyushu Tabi was based on a livestream shot on August, 8, 2022: https://youtu.be/uBdDJxx3cwg

Also appearing in front of the camera and behind the scenes is Emiko Szasz, Fukuoka Now, General Manager and Nick’s life partner.

Have you been to Unzen, let me know what you enjoyed most – or maybe you’re planning to go? Let me know in the comments!