Nestled on the western coast of Japan's Kyushu island, Nagasaki (長崎) is a city steeped in history and culture, which is reflected in the various things to see and do. Each time I've been to Nagasaki, I've been amazed by the city's captivating mix of old and new, and its vibrant, multicultural atmosphere. So for this new article, I would like to share 10 of my favourite things to do in Nagasaki, and suggest a 3-day itinerary.

A Short Introduction to Nagasaki

Sadly known for being one of two cities targeted by atomic bombs during the Second World War, Nagasaki stands a testament to resilience and peace. Beyond its tragic past, Nagasaki boasts a diverse cultural heritage shaped by centuries of international trade and exchange. Indeed, Nagasaki Port was opened to foreign trade in 1571, at first mainly with Portuguese traders. Following rising tensions associated with the spread of christianity and the expulsion of Portuguese, only Dutch and Chinese were allowed to trade through Nagasaki Port during Japan’s isolation period, called “Sakoku”, between 1639 and 1859. When Nagasaki was fully reopened to the West in the 1850s, it became a major trading port and a symbol of Japan’s modernization (notably for coal mining and shipbuilding).

Because of this rich heritage, Nagasaki Prefecture has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution (listed in 2015) and the Hidden Christian Sites of the Nagasaki Region (registered in 2018), a sample of which you can see in Nagasaki City.

What's more, the multicultural influences that shape the Nagasaki of today are also reflected in its culinary specialities, with delicious dishes such as champon noodles or castella cake, which every visitor must try at least once.

How to Get There and Around

If you're coming from Tokyo, you'll probably get to Nagasaki by plane and land at Nagasaki airport. If you're already in Kyushu, you can also take the train or come by car.

From Nagasaki airport, the most convenient and affordable way to reach Nagasaki city is by airport bus. The journey to Nagasaki station takes around 55 minutes and costs ¥1,000 one way per adult. You can find the airport bus timetable here and instructions to the bus platform at the airport here. You can buy tickets at the dedicated counter or machine, but can also pay directly in the bus using a nationwide IC card such as Pasmo or Suica.

The easiest ways to get around Nagasaki are by tram and on foot. The city is indeed served by four tram lines, and one-day and 24-hour passes are available for ¥600 and ¥700 respectively and can be bought and displayed directly on your smartphone (more details here).

In my case, I only used the tram system when I visited the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and the Peace Park to the north of Nagasaki. Otherwise, I preferred to explore the city on foot.

10 Best Things to See & Do in Nagasaki

1/ Pay Homage at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park

Like Hiroshima, Nagasaki is a symbol of resilience and promotes a message of nuclear disarmament, having suffered the dropping of the second atomic bomb during the Second World War on 9 August 1945, three days after the bombing of Hiroshima.

You can learn about what happened at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum (長崎原爆資料館) and Peace Park (平和公園), in the Urakami district in the north of Nagasaki, where the hypocentre of the bombing was located. The museum displays objects and photos from the tragic event, as well as survivors' accounts. Beyond the bombing itself, the exhibitions explore the history of the development of nuclear weapons and the desire for peace.

The museum is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm and admission costs ¥200. Exhibit materials have captions in Japanese and English, and you can read additional information on your smartphone through a QR code or rent for a small fee an audioguide.

Next to the museum, you can visit the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall For The Atomic Bomb Victims and the Atomic Bomb Hypocentre Park. You can also spend some time in the neighbourhood to see the various memorial statues and other monuments in Nagasaki’s Peace Park, including the Peace Statue and the Fountain of Peace, as well as the Urakami Cathedral, a Catholic church rebuilt in 1959 after being destroyed by the atomic bomb.

You will likely dedicate half a day to visit this area. To access these sites, you can take the Nagasaki Tram Line no. 1 or 3 to the “Peace Park” stop (平和公園停留場), a 10 min tram ride from Nagasaki Station.

2/ Be Captivated by Gunkanjima’s Ruins

Hashima (端島), also known as Gunkanjima or “Battleship Island” because of its ressemblance to a battleship from afar, is a small island that is located 18 kilometers from Nagasaki Port.

Today known as a UNESCO world heritage site, it flourished as a bustling coal mining community starting in 1890, and was once the most densely populated place in the world. It was abandoned after the mine was closed in 1974, and has become a deserted island in ruins which are slowly being reclaimed by the elements.

It is possible to visit part of the island on guided tours (prior booking is recommended, costing between ¥4,000 and ¥5,000) and you can also learn more about the island's interesting history at the Gunkanjima Digital Museum in Nagasaki.

Interested to know more about Gunkanjima? You can read my dedicated article on my visit to Gunkanjima through a guided tour “Gunkanjima, a Captivating Cruise to an Abandoned Island in Japan”. Seeing and learning more about Gunkanjima was on my Japan bucket list and one of the highlights of my visit to Nagasaki.

3/ Visit Dejima, Nagasaki’s Dutch Village

The small man-made island of Dejima (出島) was the only place the Dutch were permitted to live and trade in Japan during its self-imposed period of national isolation (1633-1858). Today, it has been transformed into a charming open-air museum where you can discover the daily life of Dutch merchants at that time. Not only can you walk around the village, but you can also visit the inside of some of the buildings for a trip back in time. Dejima is open from 8am to 9pm, with illuminations at night, and admission costs ¥520. It is located right next to the Dejima tram stop.

If you're looking for a place to eat in the area, I've been recommended the restaurant DOT LAMB Dining (ドットラムダイニング), but I haven't had a chance to go yet.

4/ Explore Oura District, Nagasaki’s Former Foreigner Settlement

After Japan opened up to foreign trade in the second half of the 19th century, the Oura district became home to foreign settlers whose legacy can still be seen today in a variety of attractions.

You can spend a few hours exploring this area of Nagasaki, and visit places such as the city's Dutch Slope (オランダ坂), lined with European-style houses, or Oura Church (大浦天主堂), the oldest wooden church of gothic architecture in Japan.

Glover Garden (グラバー園), named after the Scottish merchant Thomas Glover, was one of my favorite places in Nagasaki. This open-air museum exhibits several elegant Western-style mansions amidst lush greenery and offers panoramic views of the city below. I recommend going at sunset or in the evening during the Glover Garden lighting season, which runs from mid-July to October (a nice idea for a date, maybe?). Entrance costs ¥620 and opening hours vary through the year (more details can be found on the official website here).

5/ Have a Relaxing Walk by Nagasaki’s Waterfront and Taste Fresh Seafood

Enjoying a relaxing walk by Nagasaki’s waterfront is definitely another great thing you can do. It's a pleasant way to round off a day of historical and cultural discovery, after visiting the nearby town of Dejima, for example.

You can walk around the large Nagasaki Seaside Park (長崎水辺の森公園), near the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum (長崎県美術館), or, as I did, enjoy delicious seafood in one of the restaurants near the waterfront (we chose まぐろ屋 and had delicious tuna sushi there) while enjoying the colors of the golden hour over the harbour. It remains one of my fondest memories of Nagasaki!

6/ Discover Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown

Shinchi Chinatown in Nagasaki (長崎新地中華街) is one of Japan's three Chinatowns, along with Kobe and Yokohama. Four large decorated red gates, located at each cardinal point and guarded by a particular animal guardian, mark the access to this area of Nagasaki. You can wander in the Chinese-style neighborhood, walk by souvenir shops and eat in Chinese restaurants. You may also be tempted to try street food such as kakuni manju, steamed buns with Chinese braised pork inside, and other Chinese-influenced dishes such as champon and sara udon. It is located near the tram stop called “Shinchi Chinatown” on the green and blue tram lines.

If you're in Nagasaki during Chinese New Year, don't miss the Nagasaki Lantern Festival, Japan's biggest Chinese New Year celebration, famous for the brightly coloured lights that fill the city.

7/ Eat Nagasaki's Beloved Chinese-influenced Noodle Speciality: Champon

You cannot leave the city without tasting its signature dish, champon (ちゃんぽん), a flavorful noodle dish in a rich and creamy chicken and pork broth brimming with seafood and vegetables.

Unfortunately, I don't have any particular restaurant address in mind, but I'm sure you'll find some on other blog posts or Google Maps.

8/ Try Nagasaki's Special Dessert: Castella

Castella is a sweet sponge cake introduced by Portuguese traders that has become a beloved Nagasaki treat. If you live in Japan and go to Nagasaki, I can almost guarantee that you will be expected to bring castella back as an omiyage (お土産, a local souvenir bought as a gift when travelling). As a sweet tooth, I had to try it in Nagasaki!

The three most popular castella brands from Nagasaki are Shooken, Fukusaya and Bunmeido, and each of them has several shops in Nagasaki.

In my case, I had a great time at Shooken Honten Café Sevilla on the 2F (松翁軒 喫茶セヴィリヤ) where I tried two types of castella cakes with a nice cup of coffee. You can go directly to the cafe or book a table in advance on the cafe’s table reservation system to avoid waiting.

9/ Enjoy Nagasaki Night View at Mount Inasa

Known as one of Japan’s best city night views, you can enjoy panoramic views of Nagasaki and its harbor at the summit of Mount Inasa. I went there on my first trip in 2017 and I highly recommend doing this activity if you love night-time cityscapes. You can also visit on a clear day of course!

To access Mount Inasa Observatory, you can take the Nagasaki Ropeway at Fuchi Shrine station (長崎ロープウェイ淵神社駅), which operates daily from 9am to 10pm. The ride takes 5 minutes and the roundtrip costs ¥1,250. To access the ropeway, you can either take a public bus from Nagasaki station (number 4 or 5) or better, use the free shuttle bus operated by Nagasaki Ropeway. Advanced booking in the morning of the visit is required; you can read more details about this offer here.

10/ Wander around in Hamamachi, Maruyamamachi and Kajiyamachi Areas

Nagasaki really has its own charms, and the best way to experience it is, in my opinion, to wander through the picturesque streets of historic neighborhoods or in its bustling markets.

In Hamamachi, you can spend some time exploring Hamanomachi roof-covered arcade, do some shopping and find where to eat in one of the many restaurants in the area.

In Maruyamamachi, you can explore small alleys where you can find izakayas or stumble upon retro Western buildings out of nowhere (such as the Nagasaki Signed Maruyamamachi Police Box, which I found quite cool).

In Kajiyamachi, you can spend time visiting several local temples and shrines, such as Sofuku-ji (崇福寺), an ancient and colourful temple with a Ming dynasty architecture, and the quiet Yasaka shrine (八坂神社).

Other Ideas

If you're looking for more ideas of things to see and do around Nagasaki, below are some suggestions of other places I've noted but not yet had a chance to visit myself:

• Suwa Shrine, a major Shinto shrine in Nagasaki.

• 26 Martyrs Museum, where you can learn about to the memory of the 26 Christians that were executed in 1597 and about christianity in Japan in general.

• Huis Ten Bosh, a theme park in Nagasaki Prefecture, which recreates a Dutch town and sounds like a great day trip from Nagasaki.

Nagasaki’s Highlights in a Map

Recommended 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nagasaki; lunch at Shinchi Chinatown; Dejima; Nagasaki Waterfront and Seaside Park.

Day 2: Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park; Museum of the 26 Martyrs and/or Suwa Shrine; afternoon break at the Shooken Honten Café Sevilla; Nagasaki station and night view of Mount Inasa.

Day 3:

• Option 1: Gunkanjima Digital Museum and Gunkanjima Guided Tour; Oura District and Glover Garden (+ walk in Hamamachi, Maruyamamachi and/or Kajiyamachi areas in the morning or afternoon depending on the schedule of the guided tour to Gunkanjima).

• Option 2: Huis Ten Bosh Day Trip (in this case, I would pack a bit more Day 1 to include Oura District and Glover Garden in the late afternoon).

As always, this itinerary is only a reference and a suggestion to inspire you to make your own travel plans that suit your travel preferences and rythm. I hope you find it useful!

Where to Stay in Nagasaki

Although there are many accommodation options in Nagasaki, I think staying in the Hamamachi or Dozamachi area, within walking distance of the tram lines, is a good way to be close to most of Nagasaki's sights.

To Conclude

Nagasaki is a fascinating city that offers a captivating journey through time and culture. I hope this article has convinced you to add Nagasaki to your Kyushu itinerary, and that it will inspire you as you plan your trip.

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