Hollander Slope (Oranda-zaka) is a stone-paved slope and stairway located in Higashiyamate, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. It was originally built during the former foreign settlement era and is now part of the “Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in Higashiyamate, Nagasaki City.”
The name “Hollander Slope” initially referred collectively to the stone-paved slopes throughout the former foreign settlement areas of Ōura, Higashiyamate, and Minamiyamate. Today, according to Nagasaki City’s official tourism site, the term specifically designates three particular slopes: the slope in front of Seikō-in Temple, Kōsui-zaka (Kwassui Slope), and the slope below Kwassui Gakuin School. Along the route, fifteen Western-style houses stand in a row, creating a strong foreign atmosphere and offering fine views of Nagasaki Harbor. These slopes are not only one of Nagasaki’s popular sightseeing routes but also remain an indispensable part of daily life for residents living on the hillside. When light rain falls and the stone pavement glistens, the path takes on a unique charm that is especially beloved by visitors.
The slope’s history dates back to the late Edo period. In 1857 (Ansei 4), just before the shogunate signed treaties with Western powers, it planned to establish a foreign settlement around Ōura Bay in Nagasaki. After extensive land reclamation and development, the area was leased to foreign residents starting in 1860 (Man’en 1). The new settlement consisted of the reclaimed flatlands of Ōura and the adjoining hillsides of Higashiyamate and Minamiyamate. The stone-paved slopes linking the flatlands and the hills were built using sandstone transported from the Gotō Islands and Amakusa. Many foreigners from Europe and America built residences on the elevated sites with broad views. At the time, Nagasaki locals affectionately referred to foreigners as “Mr. Hollander” (regardless of nationality), and thus the stone-paved slopes leading to the hillside residences naturally came to be known as “Hollander Slopes.”
From the 1950s onward, with the rapid spread of motorized traffic, many of these stone-paved roads were damaged and covered with asphalt. To preserve the scenery, restoration work was carried out in 1985–86, and small parks were added along the slopes as resting spaces. On August 10, 1986, during “Road Day” (Dōro no Hi), Hollander Slope was selected as one of the “100 Roads of Japan” by the former Ministry of Construction and the “Road Day” Executive Committee, and a commemorative monument was erected in the small park.
