Statue of Sakamoto Ryoma

Ryoma’s Boots Statue is a monument located along Ryoma Street near the Kameyama Shachu Memorial Museum. Sakamoto Ryoma is said to have been the first Japanese man to wear boots, and this monument was installed in 1995 to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the founding of Kameyama Shachu. Kameyama Shachu was a band of ronin and a trading organization formed by Ryoma and his comrades—effectively a base for anti-shogunate activities. For about two years, they carried out efforts aimed at overthrowing the Edo/Tokugawa shogunate, while also engaging in commercial activities such as shipping and brokering weapons and firearms, functioning much like a trading company; it is sometimes referred to as Japan’s first trading company. The boots are made of bronze: about 60 cm in diameter, 20 cm wide, and 40 cm high, and visitors can even try them on. The statue stands on a hill with a panoramic view of Nagasaki’s port and townscape. Together with the Kameyama Shachu Memorial Museum, it remains a popular spot with devoted Ryoma fans from all over Japan. Access: by public transportation, take the Nagasaki streetcar from “Nagasaki Station-mae” bound for Hotaru Chaya for about 8 minutes, get off at “Shin-Daiku-machi” or “Shimin Kaikan,” then walk about 15 minutes. By bus, take the bus from JR Nagasaki Station East Exit (Route 50 via City Hall bound for Kazagashira-yama) for about 23 minutes, get off at “Kazagashira-yama,” then walk about 10 minutes. There is no parking, so public transportation is recommended.