The Former Ringer House — Attraction in Nagasaki

We visited the Former Ringer House while exploring Glover Garden in Nagasaki, and it ended up being one of the most memorable parts of our visit. The house has this quiet elegance about it—it’s not overly grand, but you can feel the history in every corner. Built in the late 1800s, it was the residence of Frederick Ringer, a British merchant who played a major role in developing modern Nagasaki through trade, shipping, and even journalism.

The architecture caught my eye immediately. It’s a unique blend of Western and Japanese styles, with large verandas, old wooden beams, and traditional Japanese roof tiles. Walking through the house, we found carefully preserved rooms with period furniture, old photographs, and little details that helped bring the space to life. You could almost imagine Ringer entertaining guests or planning his next business move while looking out over Nagasaki Bay.

One of my favorite moments was just standing out on the veranda, taking in the view of the harbor. It’s peaceful, and you get a real sense of how international Nagasaki must have felt back then. It wasn’t crowded when we went, which made the experience even more enjoyable—we had time to slow down and appreciate the atmosphere.

If you’re already visiting Glover Garden, don’t skip the Former Ringer House. It’s a beautifully preserved piece of history that gives you a rare glimpse into the life of a foreign merchant in 19th-century Japan. Quiet, elegant, and full...

This one-storey bungalow with a wooden frame and stone walls is a Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property. Built around 1868, the architectural style originated in British-ruled India, although it also incorporated Japanese features.

There is a veranda on three sides, which was paved with granite from Vladivostok. The roof was covered with traditional Japanese tiles, while Amakusa sandstone was used for the columns...

旧リンガー住宅は、グラバー園の旧オルト住宅の北側にある洋館です。 イギリス人のフレデリック・リンガーは、はじめはグラバー商会で働いていました。1868年、29歳の時にイギリス人のホームとホーム・リンガー商会を設立し、1940年の閉鎖までの約70年間、外国貿易や商社代理店、お茶の加工、ガス等幅広い事業に従事し、長崎の産業や経済に大きな功績を遺しました。 木造で外壁は石造、平屋建てで屋根は桟瓦葺きで、３面に角石の柱を配した吹き放ちのベランダを設けています。正面中央が出入り口で、中廊下の左右に各部屋を配置しています。玄関ホール南側の食堂と、北側の応接室の全面をベイウィンドとしており、長崎港を眺めることができます。 この建物は、1868年頃に建築されたと思われ、1874年にリンガーが取得し、1883年頃から...