Teramachi is a road with offshoots leading to different temples. A number of paths, however, will take you away from the temples and into the heart of Nagasaki Cemetary.
These paths are called Hefuri-zaka (ヘフリ坂・幣振坂). The main path lies between Daionji Temple (大音寺) and Koutaiji Temple (皓台寺). However, there are other paths which loosely connect to the main one. Another one lies between Enmeiji Temple (延命寺) and Choushouji Temple (長照寺), while another is between Fukusaiji Temple (福済寺) and Shoufukuji Temple (聖福寺.
Hefuri means “to wave a ceremonial Shintou staff“, while zaka refers to a hill (usually steep, in my experience). The name dates from the Kan’ei Era 14 (1637), when a grand stone torii arch was being constructed elsewhere. Stone was taken down the hill and a priest waved a wand to keep the labourers inspired and command them.
It often seems as if this path is being organically-generated as it winds around the graves. There are tiny overgrown paths that may or may not lead somewhere further up the hill.
Clicking on any of these photos will lead you to a bigger photo, hosted by Flickr. If you liked these photos, you might also want to see my photos of the ruins of Hashima Island, also in Nagasaki.
