Nagasaki, Japan

Situated on the Japanese island of Kyushu, Nagasaki is a diverse and vibrant city founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century and well-known for its infamous history and heritage. The city has adopted various cultures from across the world, due to its history as a one of Japan’s only port cities, and traces of Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese influences are still noticeable in the modern era. Nagasaki is home to a plethora of fascinating and historic buildings, museums and monuments which stand as a testament to the city’s rich and varied past. A visit to Nagasaki is essential for travellers hoping to discover more about the Japanese culture and experience life in this beautiful and historic part of the world.

Sightseeing in Nagasaki

Nagasaki boasts a collection of wonderful attractions for all types of travellers, including beautiful gardens and green spaces, interesting museums and historic structures. The excellent selection of museums found within the city includes the Atomic Bomb Museum, the Museum of History and Culture and the Nagasaki Peace Museum. Other superb attractions include:

Inasayama

A climb to the mountain top of Inasayama is rewarded with breath-taking views across Nagasaki and the city harbour. Often referred to as the 10 Million Dollar View and ranked amongst the best three night views in Japan, this excellent excursion is not to be missed. There is no better way to appreciate the beauty of this lively and bustling city then from the top of this incredible mountain peak. The easiest way to the summit is by car, taxi or bus.

Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium

The fascinating and informative aquarium allows visitors to view a variety of different species of penguin both underwater and on land. The attraction also contains various other excellent exhibits, including local species of fish and invertebrates, alongside a huge tank of catfish native to the Mekong River in Thailand. The structure is also situated next to a large sandy beach, making it the perfect place to spend a day in Nagasaki.

Gunkanjima

Gunkanjima, which translates to Battleship Island, is a tiny island off the coast of Nagasaki, containing the ruins of an old mining community. The island was once exceptionally densely populated with miners and forced labourers from Korea during Japan’s occupation of the country, but now is a deserted ghost town. Ferries to the island and guided walking tours are available, but strict rules are in place for travellers visiting this historic island.

Shopping in Nagasaki

Nagasaki is home to a selection of large department stores and smaller shopping districts, where visitors can pick up gifts, souvenirs and mementos of their time spent in the city. Youme Saito and CocoWalk are two of the area’s most popular shopping malls.

Eating Out in Nagasaki

Visitors should try to sample the local Japanese cuisine whilst staying in Nagasaki. The city’s most famous dish is champon, a noodle based meal in a pork broth, mixed with various vegetables and seafood. Other delicious local cuisine includes saraudon, castellan and chawan mushi, all of which are available in restaurants across the city.