Live webcam from Nagasaki Harbor, located on the northwest coast of the island of Kyushu in Japan. It is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture. Best known worldwide for its link to the atomic bombing during World War II, the harbor is historically significant as a hub for global trade and cultural interactions.
The harbor dates back to Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868), where the harbor was one of the few ports open to foreign trade. It served as a crucial gateway for cultural and commercial exchanges, particularly with the Portuguese, Dutch, and Chinese traders. The Dutch trading post on Dejima island in Nagasaki Harbor was the only place where Westerners could trade with Japan during its period of isolation.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Nagasaki Harbor played a pivotal role in Japan’s modernization efforts. It became a key site for shipbuilding and industrial development. Thomas Blake Glover, a Scottish merchant, significantly contributed to the harbor’s development, bringing Western technology and practices to Japan.
The harbor area was heavily damaged during World War II, particularly by the atomic bombing on August 9, 1945. The post-war reconstruction of Nagasaki Harbor was an important part of the city’s recovery and redevelopment.
Source: NCCTV Nagasaki
