Nagasaki is an exotic and a romantic city. Its culture is a mixture of Portuguese, Dutch, and Chinese and is well expressed in its famous dish chanpon which means a mixture of things. This dish is a Chinese noodle soup with vegetables, seafood, and meat. The first Europeans to arrive in Nagasaki were the Portuguese, who brought in their colorful culture. But with the oppression of Christianity, the effect of this culture soon died out. Soon the Dutch Trade Mission in Hirato moved to Nagasaki and the Dutch culture grew to full bloom. But it was the Chinese who left the most effect on Nagasaki culture, since they were also there when the Portuguese and Dutch were there. The people of Nagasaki called them Acha-san as a sign of affiiliation. Even today you can see many Chinese-style buildings and color combinations. There are also many churches in Nagasaki. The most famous is the Ohura Tenshudo Church, built in 1864 for the foreign residents. This church is the oldest Gothic-style building in Japan and is a symbol of the reincarnation of Christianity in Japan.
