Lanterns and Pork Buns in Nagasaki’s China Town
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Loading ...Though I have not yet started my cycling adventure, I want to share with you what I’m up to in my preparation days. I have a bright red update from the city of Nagasaki this time. 
To take a little break from sitting at my desk, I visited China town in Nagasaki with my family two days ago. For a couple of weeks during the Chinese New Year time, the whole city center of Nagasaki lights up bright and shiny in their annual Nagasaki Lantern Festival. I had never been to this festival before, and I was excited to see so many red lanterns hanging above us and the big dragon dance on stage.
Besides so many beautiful and colorful lanterns, there was food, food and food, everywhere. Fluffy melt-in-your-mouth pork buns, sweet sesame balls stuffed with red bean paste, kids at a fruit shop selling strawberry covered in chocolate… the town was full of happy energy in a warm lunar new year celebration.
Nagasaki, its name globally known for the atomic bombing of 1945 as well as Hiroshima, is a hilly port city in Kyushu island. The port of Nagasaki was historically one of the very few windows open to foreign trade during the national isolation period of Japan, which lasted for about 200 years from the 1630’s. You can still see the influence of Portugese, Dutch, and Chinese culture in the city, along with numbers of Catholic churches throughout the city.
Because of such foreign influence, Nagasaki is famous for its castella cakes (rectangular egg and sugar cake – I grew up on this), and this is also where the now famous Japanese dish tempura (deep-fried fish and vegitables with wheat and egg batter) was introduced from Portugal. Talking about this is now getting me hungry!
Lots of things are going on as far as my travel preparation. In the middle of this week, my bike should be arriving to a local bike shop. I’ll be giving you the updates as soon as it comes!
About the Author: Sachi
