Confucius Shrine, Nagasaki

Confucius Shrine is a Chinese temple in Nagasaki featuring yellow-tiled roofs and a procession of 72 stone statues of disciples arranged along the courtyard. The main hall displays a seated statue of Confucius, with a museum section behind it containing Chinese artifacts, pottery, and traditional artworks.

The temple was built in 1893 by Chinese residents of Nagasaki with backing from the Qing dynasty government and underwent major restoration in 1967 following wartime destruction. This rebuilding efforts reflected the desire to preserve this cultural link between the two nations.

The shrine honors Confucius through a seated statue in the main hall, while visitors can see how the Chinese community in Nagasaki maintains this space as a living place of reverence. The display of traditional objects and artwork throughout reflects how this philosophy continues to hold meaning for those who visit.

The shrine is located near Ouratenshudo tram stop on line 5 and opens daily from 9:30 to 18:00. The courtyard features stone surfaces that can be slippery when wet, so visitors should wear appropriate footwear.

The shrine displays more than 16,000 characters from The Analects of Confucius carved into marble imported from Hualien, Taiwan. This remarkable feature demonstrates how materials from multiple Chinese-speaking regions were brought together to create this distinctive space.