Some former homes of the city's Meiji-period European residents have been reassembled in this hillside garden. Glover Garden is named after Thomas Glover (1838–1911), the Scottish merchant who built Japan's first railway, helped establish the shipbuilding industry and whose arms-importing operations influenced the course of the Meiji Restoration. It's a lovely spot to stroll around.
The best way to explore the garden is to take the moving walkways to the top of the hill then walk back down. The Mitsubishi No 2 Dock building is highest, with panoramic views of the city and harbour from the 2nd floor. Next highest is Walker House , filled with artefacts donated by the families, followed by Ringer House , Alt House and finally Glover House . Halfway down is the Madame Butterfly Statue of Japanese opera singer Miura Tamaki, inspiration for the famous opera by Puccini – the story took place here in Nagasaki. Exit the garden through the Nagasaki Traditional Performing Arts Museum , which has a display of dragons and floats used in Nagasaki's colourful Kunchi Matsuri.
