Chikyu-Shimin

Newsletter

Vol.163

1.4.12

Chikyu-Shimin: A newsletter that asks "so what is international exchange?"


Nagasaki-Shanghai Ferry Service and Hospitality for Overseas Tourists
My Memories of Nagasaki
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Nagasaki-Shanghai Ferry Service and Hospitality for Overseas Tourists
By: Nagasaki City Hall International Affairs Division
Asia and Int'l Policy Office
      In November of 2011 the ferry service connecting Nagasaki and Shanghai was restarted, and regularly scheduled cruises were put into service this past February. This month's article will feature the Nagasaki-Shanghai Ferry Service that has been grabbing attention as a bridge between Japan and China, as well as hospitality for overseas tourists visiting Nagasaki City.

MS Ocean Rose
     The current ship navigating the route now is the MS Ocean Rose. Built in 1991, this combination passenger-cargo ship is 192.91m long and weights 30,412 tons. There are reclining chairs and 7 different types of rooms inside the ship, as well as duty-free outlets stocked with home electrical appliances and such, Japanese food restaurants, a food court, event hall, and prefectural goods booths. Currently in operation once a week, the travel time between ports is around 26 hours.

     In addition to the flow of people increasing between Japan and China with the launching of the ferry service, over 60 cruise ships are scheduled to call in Nagasaki Port this year. Recently the number of port calls in East Asian cities has increased, and a large number of tourists have been coming to Nagasaki City from not only China, but also Korea and many Western countries.

MS Queen Mary 2 in Nagasaki Port
     In Nagasaki City thus far, we have taken many steps to accommodate these ships and their passengers. We have made steps to support the acceptance of credit cards and Chinese UnionPay cards at shops in the Hamano-machi Shopping Center to make it easier to shop, we have placed pedestrian guidance signage nearby major tourist locations written in not only Japanese but also English, Chinese, and Korean, and we also hold language training courses at various locations like hotels.

     In addition, when cruise ships port in Nagasaki, the Nagasaki Port Cruise Ship Welcoming Committee, composed of many organizations including Nagasaki City and Nagasaki Prefecture, create a welcoming atmosphere with events such as high school brass band performances and traditional Nagasaki performing arts.

     More familiarly, we also provide information for citizens to help facilitate communication with overseas visitors easier by providing the cruise ship schedule and a "Mini Foreign Language Lesson" section in the Kouhou Nagasaki Magazine every month.

     From overseas tourists in Nagasaki we have received many comments about how nice and kind Nagasaki's citizens are and how beautiful the city is. Heading into this year the city is becoming quite lively with overseas guests arriving on cruise ships, however it is the hospitality and kindness of our citizens that make these tourists desire to come back and visit Nagasaki again.

     We would like thank all the citizens who have shown warmth and kindness to our guests from overseas and we hope, overcoming all language barriers, we can continue to welcome them with open hearts.
Inquires about the Nagasaki~Shanghai Line:

HTB Cruise   TEL: 0956-27-0089
 
URL: http://htbc.co.jp

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My Memories of Nagasaki
Mr. Todd Saunders is from Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. He teaches English at Nagasaki YMCA.


      Wow! What can I say?  My name is Todd Saunders and I have seen so many changes since I came to Nagasaki almost 30 years ago. In the old days- I guess you could call them that- there were only about 10 or 12 foreigners, by that I mean westerners in the whole city. Every Saturday night we used to get together in an izakaya where the Hotel New Nagasaki now stands. Yes, in those days there was no Hotel New Nagasaki, no Best Western Premier Hotel, no Coco Walk, no Amu Plaza, and no Yume Saito. The bypass to Tarami hadn’t been completed and people still went to discos! Anyone remember the Maharaja near Shinchi town?

     And though the streets weren't paved with gold, they were paved with goodwill. Strangers would approach me on the street and offer me work in their English schools, others would invite me into their homes for dinner during a chance meeting on the bus. Kids on the backstreets would squeal in surprise "Gaijin!" "Gaijin!"

     It was always a little bit of an adventure. In those days I was a big fan of the samurai drama Abarembo Shogun with Ken Matsudaira, so I bought a ticket to a live concert at Kokaido. What a surprise! Not only was I the only foreigner there, I was the only guy there! I was surrounded by a sea of screaming obachans. It was total chaos!

     By the time the Matsuken Samba started, they had to ask the obachans to stop throwing flowers up on the stage for fear of tripping the actors. What an experience. Too many stories, not enough time. Anyway when I'm not working at the YMCA, I spend most of my free time teaching scuba diving at the beautiful local beaches. The water is clean and clear and there are so many things to see.

     Nagasaki has changed. There are more places for young people to hang out, and definitely more choices in restaurants, movies and international foods. But the two things that haven't changed are the congenial atmosphere and the friendliness of the people, and I hope that they never do.




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Information

2012 Nagasaki Tall Ships Festival
   
      Come see the many tall ships that gather in the Port of Nagasaki from both Japan and abroad during this festival. Enjoy many events such as the unfurling of the white sails in unison during the sailing drills, boarding the ships, and also taking a cruise in the Port of Nagasaki.

Date: From April 26th (Thurs.) to 30th (Mon.)

Venue: For more information, call 095-829-1314 or visit to our Website

Inquiries: Nagasaki Newspaper Publishing Company: 095-855-2111
               Nagasaki International Tourist Convention Association: 095-823-742
               
               URL http://www1.city.nagasaki.nagasaki.jp/hansen/


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