Fukusaiji

Fukusaiji Temple is a striking modern reconstruction of one of Nagasaki’s oldest temples, originally founded in the 1600s and rebuilt after WWII. Its unique turtle-shaped base topped by a giant Kannon statue makes it stand out. Inside hangs a large Foucault pendulum, symbolising peace and the passage of time, gently swaying beneath the temple dome. The climb up is moderately steep, but the tranquil setting and views make it worthwhile. Entry is free, and there are benches to sit and reflect, making it a peaceful and memorable visit.

Very strange place. A temple completely destroyed by the bomb was rebuilt in this bizarre way - with a goddess standing on a turtle. Inside the goddess is one of the world's largest Foucault penduli. This comes out in the basement which houses a mausoleum with 16,000 WWIl victims and a rather makeshift/creepy museum of some of the temple and peoples' remains. A rather weedy (bicycle?) bell tolls at 11:02 every day (to commemorate the bomb dropping)

Unique looking temple, both from inside and outside. There's also a small museum with the third biggest Foucault pendulum in the world (although I didn't really understand why it was placed here) and many exhibits from the WWII period in the basement (free access). The place itself is quiet, almost silent, and surrounded by a cemetery, while the museum seems to be in a bit abandoned state. If there's no one around, the atmosphere might feel slightly frightening due to the temple's grievous past and connection to the lives lost during the war.

Beautiful and peaceful, I saw two people when I was leaving after an hour visit. Free to enter, meditate, pray. I played my shakuhachi as an offering to Kwan Yin (Kannon)

An amazing small yet impressive shrine hidden among tall buildings, just a short walk from Nagasaki station. The shrine is dedicated to the victims of war. On the sides are stairs to the basement, where there is a small museum of war victims and Foucault's pendulum. The shrine is definitely worth a visit. We were there twice two days in a row and nobody was ever there.

I stumbled across this beautiful temple while walking around the back roads in Nagasaki. The statue is built on top of the base of a turtle. I didn't pay to go inside but I walked around and took some nice pictures. This is definitely one of the more unique temples that doesn't get a lot of tourist attention.

A grand temple to visit after a climb. Looked spectacular against the blue sky when I visited. Met a lovely ginger cat that chatted with me before heading off on cat business.

Our next stop was a unique temple shaped like a turtle with a large Kannon statue on top. We were the only people there and you go inside the turtle to the actual temple. It was founded in 1628 and looked like a traditional temple complex. Destroyed in the 1945 atomic bombing, it was rebuilt in the shape of a 🐢. It houses a Foucault Pendulum that swings over a memorial to 16,000 war dead. As a reminder of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945 the temple bell sounds at 11.02 am, the exact time of the blast.