Nagasaki is one of the most famous southern cities in Japan. Many people know it only for the catastrophe that occurred in 1945 due to the atomic bomb “Fast Man” sent by the United States. However, Nagasaki today is a completely rebuilt, modern, lively and cosmopolitan city with a lot of things to do and see there.
Only the solemn remembrance of the horrors experienced after World War II remains today, in the form of the Atomic Bomb Museum and the Peace Park. Every August 6, a bell is rung there and a minute’s silence is observed. The rest of the city is a celebration of the cultures that have shaped the architecture and society of Nagasaki, among which are very present the Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese.
Must-see places in Nagasaki
1. Park of Peace
What on August 9, 1945 was the epicenter of the atomic bomb that leveled Nagasaki, today, as a demonstration against violence and nuclear weapons, has become the Peace Park (1955). This natural space houses several monuments, such as the Peace Statue, that keep the memory of the victims. It’s a 10 meters high bronze figure that, with closed eyes praying, points with one hand to the sky and with the other makes the peace sign. Other must-see sights in this park include the Peace Fountain and the Nagasaki Bell. It is rung every August 9 at 11:02 a.m., the moment the bomb fell on Nagasaki.
2. Atomic Bomb Museum
Next to the park you will find the Atomic Bomb Museum, opened in 1996 for the 50th anniversary of the event. It is a space that narrates the horror experienced due to the atomic bomb, as well as its causes and consequences. The photos and explanations are tough. The exhibition includes images and videos of those who perished and personal stories about the bomb.
Price: 200 yen (0.94€)
3. Urakami Cathedral
Urakami Cathedral, of neo-Romanesque style, is one of the Catholic temples of Nagasaki. And it’s a symbol of all the Japanese Christians killed in Japan for their religion. The cathedral was built in 1875, when the persecution was abolished and Christianity became a permitted religion in the country. It had been persecuted since 1587, when it arrived with the Portuguese who came to the country to trade. It is especially representative for all Japanese Christians since the largest Christian community is the one in Nagasaki.
The original cathedral was totally destroyed by the bomb. And then they rebuilt it in 1959 more similar to the French Neo-Romanesque style than the previous one.
4. Teramachi
Also known as “Temple Town”, Teramachi Street is one of the most popular streets in Nagasaki for housing numerous temples. The best known are Kofuku-ji and the Chinese-style Sofuku-ji, like most of the temples on the street. But we recommend walking there and along the adjoining cherry tree-lined streets. You should also visit other temples, such as Enme-ji and Fukusai-ji, and their wonderful gardens.
5. Dutch slope
Nagasaki is a peculiar place where you can find traditional Japanese architecture, impressive temples of Chinese culture and a street that transports you to northern Europe. This is the Dutch Slope, a set of steep cobblestone streets lined with Dutch-style houses. This curious slope recalls the time when only the Dutch were allowed to trade with Japan and the architectural and cultural legacy they left the country. Strolling along these amazing streets of the Flemish architecture is a delight.
6. Mount Inasayama Observatory, the best place to see Nagasaki
East of the city is one of the must-see places in Nagasaki, especially if you spend a night in the city. We are talking about the Mount Inasayama Observatory, an elevation of more than 300 meters high. There you get the best views of Nagasaki. You can access the observatory by a cable car that departs every 15 minutes. Round trip costs 1230¥ (8’86€) and the route is already a nice experience in itself. But it’s nothing compared to reaching the top and getting the best views of the city of Nagasaki.
Opening Hours: from 8:00 to 22:00
7. Dejima
Dejima is a very particular place, an artificial island built on Nagasaki Bay. It dates back to 1634 and was the place where the Dutch traded on the Japanese territory. Although the Dutch were the only ones for centuries who could trade with Japan, they were never welcome on Japan’s sacred soil, so they had to stay on this artificial island. Strolling through its streets, sitting on the harbor and contemplating the sea, visiting the houses are some of the activities to do in this charming Japanese neighborhood.
Opening Hours: from 8:00 to 19:00.Price: 5€ per person
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Nagasaki
Hashima Island
19 km by sea from Nagasaki lies one of the most interesting places around Nagasaki. We are talking about Hashima Island, also known as Gunkanjima, which means “the armored island”. This peculiar name comes from the fact that seen from the air, this island looks like an abandoned ship thanks to its walls.
The island, which was a coal mine from 1887 to 1974, is a space of 500m long by 150m wide. And this territory was purchased by the Mitsubishi company. But back in the day up to 5300 people lived there, having one of the highest population densities in the world. After the mining activity ceased, the island was completely abandoned and today it can be visited, or rather the ruins that remain of it. However, you must be very careful because of possible landslides.
The ferry ride costs 4,000 yen.
Where to eat in Nagasaki?
- Yossou: One of the best restaurants to eat at in Nagasaki. A traditional Japanese place with a tatami floor, low tables and cushions to kneel on. The food is delicious and elegantly served in beautiful tea cups. An authentic experience. Price range: 10-25€
- Kozanro Nagasaki Chinatown Honten: Nagasaki’s best Chinese cuisine restaurant is unsurprisingly located in the Chinatown neighborhood. Get ready to queue up, because its fame attracts a lot of curious people every day who want to try dishes of traditional Chinese cuisine, as well as others fused with Japanese tradition. You’ll love the Chinese soup ramen. Price range: 7-22€
- Ramen Hiiragi: With only a few tables, Ramen Hiiragi Restaurant serves some of the best-rated ramen in all of Nagasaki. Try their tomato and eggplant ramen. Price range: 10-25€
Where to stay in Nagasaki
- Hotel Concerto Nagasaki: With an enviable location a 5-minute walk from the Atomic Bomb Museum and a 10-minute walk from Peace Park, the Concerto Nagasaki hotel offers comfortable and elegant rooms, some with city views. They offer Buffet or American breakfast. Price per night: €87-101
- Nisshokan Bettei Koyotei: If you want to live the full Japanese experience, you should stay in a ryokan, the traditional Japanese accommodation with tatami flooring, mattresses on the floor and paper walls. This is one of the best in all of Nagasaki, with rooms having the panoramic views of the city. You can also enjoy a fabulous traditional Japanese breakfast in the rooms. Price per night: 179-226€
- Hotel Belleview Nagasaki Dejima: A very good budget hotel just 3 minutes walk from the Dejima district. A simple but complete hotel for those looking for a comfortable bed after a long day walking around the city. It has a private bathroom and pajamas and slippers are provided for all guests. Price per night: 54-72€
What to see in Nagasaki in 1 day
Nagasaki is a city that you can visit in a single day and most of its attractions are within 1 kilometer of each other. Therefore, we recommend using a map (or your Passporter app) and creating your itinerary with all the places we described above. Also, if long walks are not your thing, Nagasaki has a good network of 4 streetcar lines linking most of the places to visit. So, in a single day you can make a complete visit to the city without leaving any of the landmarks behind.
For us, it’s best to start in the north, the Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum, and work your way down either on foot, by streetcar or alternating between them to discover the rest of the city. We suggest finishing the day at Mount Inasayama Observatory to see beautiful Nagasaki at night.
In the case of Dejima, we recommend visiting the island if you have two days, as it is not as relevant as the other places mentioned. In this way, you will be able to enjoy the most representative places of Nagasaki without being in a hurry.
What should I consider before traveling to Nagasaki
- The official currency of Japan is the yen.
- The best time to travel to Tokyo is in the months of September and October, when the weather is warm and there is less rainfall.
- It is best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as their prices are high.
- Japan is spoken Japanese, although being a tourist city, English is spoken in many places and there are also signs in this language.
- The tap water is drinkable.
- From Spain it is not necessary to have a visa if you travel less than 90 days, but you must have your passport in order and be able to justify with the hotel reservations that the trip is a tourist one.
- Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
- Wear the names of the hotel in writing.
- The country is generally very safe, but just in case, be careful with your belongings.
- Don’t hesitate to visit the tourist office to find out about other places and activities to see and do in Nagasaki.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Nagasaki
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all of its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers the things to do in Nagasaki Japan.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Nagasaki
The climate of Nagasaki is oceanic, which means hot, cloudy summers with an average maximum temperature of 26°C and clear, cold and windy winters with average maximum temperatures of 10°C and minimum temperatures of 4°C. The rainiest months are June and July.
The best time to travel to Nagasaki and the one most tourists choose are the months of September and October, when temperatures are still mild but not sultry and there is less precipitation.
Nagasaki is a small city, especially its center, so the most comfortable and economical way to get around is on foot and probably the option of your choice. However, if after a long day you are tired of walking, you can use the streetcar that connects different areas of the city. The price per single ticket is 130¥ (0’94€) and the daily pass 500¥ (3’60€).
There are different ways to get to Nagasaki from Tokyo. By air, there are several flights a day by ANA, JAL, Jetstar Japan and Solaseed Air airlines. The flight takes about 2h and costs around 100€. Nagasaki airport is located 38km from the city center and is very well connected thanks to the shuttle bus service that takes about 45 minutes (about 7€).
Another way to get to Nagasaki from Tokyo is by train. Although the journey is much longer, about 7 hours and a half. First you must take a train from Tokyo train station to Hakata and once there, transfer to Nagasaki.
To get around Japan you can buy the Japan Rail Pass, an unlimited travel voucher that includes the bullet train. Adult price: 29,650¥ (213€) for 7 days.
No Comments