Glover Garden　(グラバー園)


An open-air museum in Nagasaki featuring the former residences of Thomas Glover, Frederick Ringer, and William Alt, merchants who came to Japan after the country opened its ports. Glover was influential in toppling the Tokugawa Shogunate by providing gunpowder to the rebellion armies, and was honored with the Order of the Rising Sun. This site demonstrates foreign influence in the Meiji Restoration, and how the Japanese view of foreigners changed during this era.


The Glover Residence
The Glover Residence is well noted for its blend of Western and Japanese elements in its design. Much of the building reflects the Georgian aesthetic that was popular in Britain during the previous generation, with characteristics such as the latticed arches, and French windows. The roof is unmistakably due to Japanese influence, and the building also consists of traditional Japanese roof supports and post-and-beam frames set down on boulders.






Within the garden there are two heart-shaped paving stones, one of which is relatively easy to find, while the other’s location is unknown and visitors are supposed to search for it. If you touch one of the stones, it is said to bring love to you. If you find both of the stones and touch them, you will be granted great luck. Due to this legend, it is not uncommon to see couples hunting the garden for the stones.

This park is open to the public and due to its amazing landscaping, foliage, and views of Nagasaki bay, it attracts nearly 2 million visitors a year.
















For teachers  Glover Garden covers the following outcomes of the Grade 8 Social Studies Curriculum:



"Values and Attitudes


8.1.3 appreciate how models of governance and decision making reflect a society’s worldview
8.1.4 appreciate how a society’s worldview shapes individual citizenship and identity 



Knowledge and Understanding


8.1.6 analyze the effects that rapid adaptation had on traditionally isolated Japan during the
Meiji period by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
• What were the motivations for the radical changes in Japan’s model of organization during
the Meiji period? 
• How did Japan adapt to changes brought on by the transition from feudal to modern models
of organization? 
• How did the changes resulting from adaptation affect Japan economically, politically and
socially during the Meiji period?"( Taken from the Alberta Grade 8 Social Studies Program of Studies)  








Websites: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4406.html,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glover_Garden, http://jin.jcic.or.jp/en/travel/kyushu/nagasaki/GLOVER-GARDEN/


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Comment on what you could learn related to what you have studied about Edo and Meiji Japan.