Nagasaki is located in Kyushu Island, western Japan, and it is a city heavily influenced by Western culture. In the 1500s, Portuguese explorers landed nearby Nagasaki and the city soon became a trading port. Today, Nagasaki is famous for its European-style city and architecture such as churches. It is also known for its night view from Mount Inasa which is selected as one of the “Three Major Night Views of Japan”, as well as the Castella, a Japanese sponge cake. With a harmony of Japanese culture and Western culture, a trip to Nagasaki will be an extremely unique experience. Here are some of the things to see and do.
1. Glover Garden – the oldest Western-style house in Japan
Glover Garden belonged to a trade merchant from Scotland, Thomas Blake Glover, who had a strong influence in the modernisation of Japan during the mid-1800s. With a history of over 150 years, it is selected as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The European-style building and garden is today one of the most visited tourist destinations in Nagasaki. Events are held at Glover Garden according to the season, such as flower festivals and night illuminations, so do check them out!
グラバー園 Glover Garden Nagasaki
Address: 8-1 Minami-Yamatemachi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Access info: 5-minute walk from either Oura Tenshudo-shita station or Ishi-bashi station, about 30 minutes from Nagasaki station via Nagasaki Electric Tramway
Opening hours: Opens at 8 am, closing hour depends on season
Fixed holiday: nil
Contact: +81 95-822-8223
Entrance fee: 640 JPY (6.20 USD)
2. Huis Ten Bosch theme park
“Why is there a Dutch-themed park in Nagasaki?” you might ask. Nagasaki was the only port open for international trade around the 1800s, and Holland was one of the few countries that had diplomatic relationships with Japan. Nagasaki hence was strongly influenced by Dutch culture. It has various amusements, museums and rides that will bring you around the Dutch-style theme park. It is also famous for its garden and flowers where various events are held throughout the year, such as the Tulip Festivals in spring, and Festival of Hydrangeas in summer. At night, the European-style theme park will be vibrant with colours from the illuminations, creating an extremely romantic atmosphere.
ハウステンボス Huis Ten Bosch
Address: Hausutenbosu-machi, Sasebo-city, Nagasaki Prefecture
Access info: Few minutes’ walk from Huis Ten Bosch station which is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Nagasaki station via Japan Railway Nagasaki Line
Opening hours: Depends on season, please check official website
Fixed holiday: nil
Entrance fee: Depends on ticket type (1-day passport costs 6500 JPY or 63.40 USD for adults)
3. The official hotel of Huis Ten Bosch (from USD 167)
Watermark Hotel Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch is one of the 6 official hotels Huis Ten Bosch is partnered with. The hotel provides a free shuttle bus service to Huis Ten Bosch, making access very convenient. Furthermore, you can have an exclusive night view of the lit-up theme park from your own room, making Watermark Hotel Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch a great place to rest after a long day at the theme park!
Watermark Hotel Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch
Address: Huis Ten Bosch 7-9
1.17 km (0.8 mi) from Huis Ten Bosch
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Visit the abandoned Battleship Island
Officially known as Hashima, Gunkan Island, which means Battleship Island, it is an abandoned island that is famous for its obsolete concrete buildings. The island was once the densest area in the world during the 1960s, when coal production was at its peak. Energy demand, however, shifted gradually to oil and as a result, people lost their jobs and left the island. Gunkan Island was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2015. The picturesque island was only recently re-opened to public in 2009 but only through organised group tours. It is a great place to visit for photographers and ruins lovers! Gunkan Island is about 45 minutes from Nagasaki Port and there are several cruise operators available – Gunkanjima Cruise, Yamasa Shipping and Gukanjima Concierge. Do note that the cruise operation and details will be subjective to the weather.
Respective official websites:
5. Unzen-Amakusa National Park: the Onsen land
Unzen-Amakusa National Park, opened in 1934, is the first National Park in Japan. Its trail is most famous for the “Jigoku Meguri”, which means “to explore hell”. This is because Mount Unzen, which is in this National Park, is an active volcano that produces lots of sulphur from its vents, and this scene reminds people of hell. There is an observatory located along the trail which will take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Unzen-Amakusa National Park is about 1 hour 20 minutes from Nagasaki station by car. There are also many onsens (hot springs) around the area.
6. Fantastic night view from Mount Inasa
Located within Nagasaki City, Mount Inasa is a 333 metre (1093 feet) high mountain that is best known for the view you can get from the summit observatory. The night view from Mount Inasa of Nagasaki city was selected as one of the “Three Major Night Views of Japan”, along with that of Mount Hakodate, Hokkaido and Maya Mountains, Hyogo. These night views are also known as the “Ten Million Dollar Night View”, and the charming city lights with mountains in the background are breathtaking. Access to the summit is via a 5-minute ropeway.
稲佐山 Mount Inasa
Address: 8-1, Fuchimachi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki
Access info: 7 minutes from JR Nagasaki Station by Nagasaki Bus 3 or 4, to Nagasaki Ropeway Front. Ropeway up to the summit takes about 5 minutes.
Opening hours: 9 am - 10 pm
Contact: +81 95-861-3640
Entrance fee: 1,230 JPY or 12 USD (round trip)
7. Yummy sponge cake: Castella
When you visit Nagasaki, you must try out the Castella there. Castella is a sponge cake made from very simple ingredients such as eggs, sugar, flour and starch syrup, and it is a confectionary that was originally brought in by Portuguese trade merchants. Today, there are numerous shops in Nagasaki famous for Castella and one of the most famous ones is Bunmeido, a shop with over 100 years of history. The soft cake and rough sugar blends well, giving a unique texture that will get you addicted. Castella usually lasts for about 2 weeks and it can be the perfect Nagasaki souvenir too!
文明堂総本店 Bunmeido Sohonten (Bunmeido main branch)
Address: 1-1 Edomachi, Nagasaki-city
Access info: Ohato station, 4 minutes from Nagasaki station via Nagasaki Electric Tramway
Opening hours: 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
Fixed holiday: nil
Contact: +81 95-824-0002
8. Nagasaki Peace Park
Nagasaki is renowned for its exotic streets and resplendent night views. However, its name also carries a tragic history – Nagasaki was hit by an atomic bomb 3 days after Hiroshima suffered the same fate. Nagasaki Peace Park is a symbol of world peace, and we can learn its history in the museum located within the Peace Park, where various historical artefacts are on display.
長崎平和公園 Nagasaki Peace Park
Address: 8-1, Fuchimachi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki
Access info: Several minutes’ walk from Matsuyamamachi or Hamaguchimachi, which are about 20 minutes from Nagasaki station via Nagasaki Electric Tramway
Opening hours: Museum: 8:30 am - 6:30 pm (closes at 5:30 pm from September to April)
Fixed holiday: December 29 to 31 (Museum)
Contact: +81 95-844-1231 (Museum)
Entrance fee: Free entry, entry to the Museum costs 200 JPY (2 USD)
Official URL: http://nagasakipeace.jp/index_e.html (Museum)
9. Oldest wooden church In Japan
Christianity plays an important role in Nagasaki’s history. Being the only city in Japan to have international connections in the past, Nagasaki was influenced by various foreign cultures. Oura Church, located right beside the entrance of Glover Garden, was built by two French priests and is the oldest church in Japan. Although there are many other churches in Nagasaki, Oura Church is most famous due to its photogenic exterior. It is also illuminated at night, and the beauty of the well-lit stained glass is beyond words.
大浦天主堂 Oura Church
Address: 5-3 Minami-yamate, Nagasaki-city
Access info: 5-minute walk from Oura Tenshudo-shita station of the Nagasaki Electric Tramway, which is about 30 minutes from Nagasaki station via Nagasaki Electric Tramway
Opening hours: 8 am - 6 pm (admission ends at 5:45 pm)
Fixed holiday: nil
Contact: +81 95-823-2628
Entrance fee: 600 JPY (5.90 USD)
10. Nagasaki’s unique local food
The Nagasaki Champon and Plate Udon are both noodle dishes that are famous in Nagasaki. Said to be inspired from Chinese noodles, the Nagasaki Champon has ingredients such as vegetables, oysters and squid on top of the boiled noodles. On the other hand, the Plate Udon has crispy fried noodles with Worcester sauce poured on it. One of the famous shops in Nagasaki for these noodles is Kanro, conveniently located only about 8 minutes from Nagasaki station via tram, followed by a 1-minute walk.
康楽 Kanro
Address: 2-18 Motoshikkuimachi, Nagasaki-city
Access info: 1-minute walk from Shianbashi tram station
Opening hours: 6 pm - midnight
Fixed holiday: Monday
Contact: +81 95-821-0373
11. Explore the slopes of Nagasaki
Nagasaki is also famous for having what is known as the three big “Ka” - Haka, Baka and Saka - which mean cemetery, fools and slope, respectively. Slopes play an important part in Nagasaki’s townscape and many are amazed by the number of slopes found in the city. The unique sight of architecture built on steep slopes never fails to entertain tourists too.
There are many picturesque slopes in Nagasaki, including the Holland Slope in Higashiyamate, and Kudari Matsuura Slope in Minamiyamate. Among the popular sites is the Dondon Slope shown in the picture, also located in Minamiyamate. These slopes are generally located near tourist sites such as Glover Garden so do check them out for a photoshoot!
The charm of Nagasaki
With beautiful churches and European architecture that line the streets, Nagasaki has an exotic yet romantic atmosphere that is perfect for couples and families. From the unique Glover Garden to the splendid night view from Mount Inasa, charming Nagasaki city is a great place to spend your Japan holiday in! You can also tour around the rest of the Kyushu islands, such as Saga and Fukuoka, which are only about 1.5 hours or 2.5 hours away, respectively. Don’t forget to purchase the Castella for a souvenir too!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
-
-
-
-
-
Top 8 Recommended Spots To Visit Near Hakata StationTrip101 Editorial -
Create an account to