Glover Garden, Nagasaki | Explore this Beautiful Estate in Japan

In the center of Nagasaki is located one of the nicest gardens in the city: Glover Garden (グラバー園). This place is named after Scotsman Thomas Blake Glover (1838-1911) who had a beautiful British & Japanese-style house built here. His influence on the modernization of Japan in the 19th century was extremely significant. That’s why this park is incredibly popular with Japanese tourists.

Who was Thomas B. Glover, also called the Scottish Samurai and what did he mean to Nagasaki? And why is a visit to this beautiful estate a must during your stay in this port city? In this article, I tell you all about it….

Who was Thomas Blake Glover?

Thomas Blake Glover was born on June 6, 1838, in the town of Fraserburgh, Scotland. He was the fifth child in a family of eight and his father worked as a coast guard officer. This led to the family having to move frequently and little Thomas was therefore educated at various schools. After leaving school, young Glover decided to work as a shipping clerk with the Jardine Matheson trading company, based in Hong Kong.

At the age of 21, he went to work in Nagasaki and engaged in buying and selling Japanese green tea. This was the beginning of his career in this city, which would be his home for the rest of his life. At the age of 23, he founded his own company Glover & Co, and had a beautiful house built. This property, of course, you can admire in Glover Garden.

Why he was called the Scottish Samurai?

Thomas Glover came to Japan in 1859. At that time, the country was slowly opening its borders to foreign powers. The shogunate, the system of landlords and samurai was coming to an end, and Glover had his part in causing it. A dealer in arms, his company supplied revolting rebels who disagreed with the policies of Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu (1837-1913), the then ruler of Japan.

It led to the Boshin War in 1868-1869, during which the shogun stepped down and Emperor Meiji would become the most powerful man in the country. Because of his somewhat rebellious attitude against authority, Thomas Glover was also called the Scottish Samurai.

Glover and his important role in Japanese industrialization

Now you might think that because of his arms supplies, Thomas Glover was not popular with the new government in Tokyo led by Emperor Meiji. But nothing could have been further from the truth. As a businessman, he was responsible for importing automobiles and steam locomotives to Japan. He also helped set up the first coal mine on the island of Hashima near Nagasaki.

Also, he was responsible for the establishment of the Mitsubishi company and the Japan Brewery Company. The latter we now know as the Kirin Brewery Company. If you have a beer of this brand while on vacation, take a look at the logo and judge for yourself. Doesn’t that weird bird look a lot like Glover’s mustache? Consider it as a kind of tribute to the businessman. In 1908, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun for his service to Japan. Thomas B. Glover died on December 16, 1911, at the age of 73 in Tokyo.

The island and coal mine of Hashima, also called Gunkanjima can be visited with a tour. It has the nickname Battleship Island and that has to do with its shape: a battleship.

A Review of Glover Garden

Glover Garden is beautifully situated on the Minamiyamate hill overlooking Nagasaki Harbor. In addition, Thomas B. Glover played an important role in the modernization of the city and Japan. These are already two reasons why a visit to this garden is definitely worthwhile. In theme park Huis ten Bosch north of Nagasaki, you have the feeling to be in the Netherlands, in Glover Garden you are in Scotland! And when I was there it was also raining cats and dogs.

Every year 2 million come to this garden to get a glimpse of the beautiful estate of Thomas Glover. I thought it was an interesting and enjoyable attraction and do you have 2 hours to spare? Then pay a visit to this landmark in downtown Nagasaki.

By the way, most of the buildings found on the Glover Garden estate have been moved to this spot. Only Glover’s house has always stood here, making it one of the oldest buildings in the city.

Practical information for visiting Glover Garden in Nagasaki

How to get to there?

Glover Garden is situated south of the Nagasaki Eki mae railway station and is a 30-minute walk away. By tram first, take line 1 towards Shokakuji-shita and then change to line 5 Ishibashi. Finally, it is about a 5-minute walk to Glover Garden.

Opening Hours?

The park is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. Check out the Glover Garden website for more information and prices.

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