Kosuge Shipyard Ruins

Overview

The Kosuge Shipyard Ruins are a national historic site located in Kosugemachi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. Completed in December 1868 (January 1869), it was Japan's first shipyard equipped with a steam-powered hauling device, commonly known as "Sorobandoku". Jointly funded by Satsuma clan samurai Goyo Tomoatsu and Komatsu Taito, and British trader Thomas Glover, it was initially owned by the Satsuma clan. Later acquired by the Meiji government, it became an ancillary facility of the Nagasaki Ironworks. In 1884, it came under Mitsubishi's ownership, laying the foundation for the current Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki Shipyard. The Kosuge Shipyard's defining feature is its steam-powered hauling device, the first of its kind in Japan. This device was used to pull ships onto the slipway. The shed housing this device is the oldest extant brick structure in Japan, constructed using "konnyaku-renga" (a type of brick). The Kosuge Shipyard Ruins played a crucial role in Japan's modernization and are invaluable for understanding the dawn of Japan's shipbuilding technology. It also offers a glimpse into the introduction of Western technology to Japan. The Kosuge Shipyard Ruins are free to visit; however, the interior of the hauling shed is not open to the public. When visiting, remember that it's a historical site and please maintain a respectful, quiet atmosphere. Nearby, you'll also find other modern industrial heritage sites such as the Nagasaki Ironworks and the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki Shipyard. Visiting these sites together will provide a deeper understanding of Japan's modernization.