Nagasaki, Japan: travel guide
A hillside harbour city shaped by centuries of overseas trade
Japan's most European-flavoured city, shaped by four centuries of trade with Portugal, Holland, and China when the rest of Japan was closed to the world. Nagasaki's Peace Park, Glover Garden, and Dejima island document this unique cosmopolitan heritage.
About Nagasaki
Nagasaki is a harbour city set among steep hills, and its history differs from the rest of Japan because it was the main window for foreign trade when the country was largely closed. Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese influences remain in its architecture and food.
Things to do in Nagasaki include Glover Garden and its Western-style mansions, Sofukuji Temple, Suwa Shrine and the night view from Mount Inasa. The Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park are a moving record of 1945, and Gunkanjima, the abandoned island, can be seen on boat trips.
Nagasaki suits history lovers and travellers heading around Kyushu. Spring and autumn are comfortable, and the hilly streets are best explored on foot or by tram.
- Country
- Japan
- Currency
- JPY
- Time zone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Nearest airport
- NGS
Last updated
Top places to visit in Nagasaki
Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum & Peace Park
peace memorial & museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The second and final atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945 at 11:02 am. The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum traces the city before and after with detailed documentation, preserved artefacts, and victim testimonies. The…
Glover Garden & Nagasaki Western Mansions
colonial mansion garden · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A hilltop park overlooking Nagasaki Harbour preserving the stone-and-wood mansions of 19th-century foreign merchants and diplomats. The centrepiece is Thomas Blake Glover's house (1863) — the oldest Western-style stone building in Japan —…
Dejima
Heritage · about 1.3 h · entry ¥520 (≈ ₹310)
Reconstructed fan-shaped island trading post that was Japan's sole window to the West during the sakoku era.
Gunkanjima (Hashima Island)
Heritage · about 3 h · entry ¥4,000 (≈ ₹2,410)
UNESCO-listed abandoned coal-mining island of ruined concrete apartments, reached by boat tour.
Oura Church
Church · about 0.8 h · entry ¥1,000 (≈ ₹600)
Japan's oldest standing Christian church (1864), a UNESCO-listed Gothic landmark of the hidden Christians.
Megane-bashi (Spectacles Bridge)
Heritage · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Twin-arched 1634 stone bridge whose reflection forms the shape of eyeglasses over the Nakashima River.
Mount Inasa
Viewpoint · about 1.5 h · entry ¥1,250 (≈ ₹750)
333 m peak with a ropeway and observation deck offering one of Japan's top three night views.
Sofukuji Temple
Temple · about 0.7 h · entry ¥300 (≈ ₹180)
Vividly coloured Ming-dynasty Chinese Zen temple with two nationally designated treasure gates.
Suwa Shrine
Temple · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
Nagasaki's grand hilltop guardian shrine reached by a long stone staircase, host of the Kunchi festival.
Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum
Museum · about 0.8 h · entry ¥500 (≈ ₹300)
Memorial and museum to the 26 Christians martyred in 1597, beside a distinctive mosaic-tiled monument.
Things to do
- Gunkanjima Landing Cruise Tour · 3 h · from JPY 4,500 per person
- Mount Inasa Night View Tour Tour · 2.5 h · from JPY 3,500 per person
Where to stay in Nagasaki
- Downtown about JPY 3,500 per night
Historic port city with accommodation
Hotels
- Hotel Monterey Nagasaki 3-star · JPY 9,000 to JPY 18,000 per night
- ANA Crowne Plaza Nagasaki Gloverhill 4-star
- Nagasaki Kagamiya Guesthouse 2-star
Where to eat
- Shikairo chinese, japanese, noodles · about JPY 2,000 per person
- Yosso japanese · about JPY 2,500 per person
- Kagetsu japanese, kaiseki · about JPY 12,000 per person
Getting to Nagasaki
Airport: Nagasaki (NGS)
Getting around
- Tram
- Transit Pass
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Roppongi bar overcharge
Roppongi · Kabukicho nightlife
Foreign-fronted bar in Roppongi adds drink charges and seat fees you weren't shown; bill arrives at 5–10x expected.
How to avoid it: Stick to bars with clear printed menus and prices on the door. Ask price before sitting.
More in Japan
Frequently asked questions about Nagasaki
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Nagasaki?
- The highest-rated places in our Nagasaki guide are Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum & Peace Park, Glover Garden & Nagasaki Western Mansions.
- Where should I stay in Nagasaki?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Nagasaki: Downtown.
- How do I get around Nagasaki?
- Ways to get around Nagasaki covered in our guide: Tram, Transit pass, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Nagasaki?
- Scams reported to us for Nagasaki include Roppongi bar overcharge. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Nagasaki?
- The nearest airport to Nagasaki has the code NGS.