Nagasaki Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Nagasaki
Nagasaki
Nagasaki
Nagasaki
Nagasaki

Modernized during the Meiji period, this southern Japanese city has an intriguing history of Dutch trading, Christian missions and the atomic bomb.

The Japanese city of Nagasaki is known for having been bombed in 1945, but its development prior to that time is fascinating. Visit the revitalized city to explore its earlier trading and industrial past and experience its welcoming modern culture, with a future looking toward world peace.

Built around a protective harbor facing the South China Sea, early Nagasaki was a natural spot for sea trade, beginning in the early 1600s. Tour the restored buildings of Dejima, a manmade island where a Dutch trading post stood for 218 years. Visit the nearby Nagasaki Kameyama Shachu Memorial Museum which tells additional stories of the modernization in Nagasaki that led early industrialization across the country. Nearby, the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture relates development of East/West relations.

Stop at the Oura Catholic Church overlooking the harbor. In this 1864 gothic church, foreigners and early Japanese Christians were allowed to practice their faith freely. Next door, the Glover Garden contains the former residence of Thomas Glover, a Scottish merchant whose efforts in mining and shipbuilding influenced modernization.

From the port, take a boat ride to Gunkanjima, an island that was once a coal mine. As you pass the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Nagasaki Shipyard, notice the giant cantilever crane, installed in 1909 and still in operation.

Largely because of its shipbuilding and industrialization, Nagasaki was the target for the second atomic bomb during World War II. Tens of thousands of people died. Honor those individuals and the city’s prayers for peace at Peace Park. Here, a tall monolith in Hypocenter Park marks the center of the explosion. The Peace Statue, Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall For the Atomic Bomb Victims are nearby.

At night, take the ropeway, bus or car up Mount Inasa to look down upon the lights of the city reflecting in the harbor. Before leaving, visit the beach at Iojima Island to enjoy some sunshine.

Fly to Nagasaki from Tokyo in about 2 hours.

Where to stay in Nagasaki

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Nagasaki Chinatown

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Nagasaki Chinatown is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Nagasaki Dejima and Hamanomachi Arcade.

Nagasaki Chinatown
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Dejimamachi

If you're spending some time in Dejimamachi, Nagasaki Dejima and Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Dejimamachi
Belleview Nagasaki Dejima
Belleview Nagasaki Dejima
3 out of 5
1-20 Edo-machi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki
The price is NZ$187 per night from 13 June to 14 June
NZ$187
13 June - 14 June
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Nagasaki. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (906 reviews)
"Near the ohato station"

Reviewed on 11 May 2025

Belleview Nagasaki Dejima
Hotel Wingport
Hotel Wingport
3 out of 5
9-2 Daikoku-cho, Nagasaki, Nagasaki
The price is NZ$187 per night from 13 June to 14 June
NZ$187
13 June - 14 June
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Nagasaki. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (793 reviews)
"If you are looking for a cheap but comfortable stay for business purposes or for a very short stay, this place is very good. It’s close to the main station, with restaurants nearby. Staff are helpful and very polite"

Reviewed on 14 May 2025

Hotel Wingport
Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown
Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown
3 out of 5
Dozamachi 3-12, Nagasaki, Nagasaki
The price is NZ$181 per night from 8 June to 9 June
NZ$181
8 June - 9 June
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Nagasaki. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (603 reviews)
"❤️ Location was great to see some of the big sights around the Nagasaki. 💔 The floors were not as clean and it did have some viable stains."

Reviewed on 29 May 2025

Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Grand Base Nagasaki City
Grand Base Nagasaki City
2.5 out of 5
2 39 Tamazonomachi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture
Stay at this apartment in Nagasaki. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and slippers. Popular attractions Shofukuji Temple and Nagasaki Museum of History and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (97 reviews)
"The place is not well labeled, so if you’re driving by yourself it’s a little difficult to find. Also, the security pad to get into the building requires you to wait before it clicks open. Would’ve been nice to know that. Parking in front is all in Japanese."

Reviewed on 1 Mar. 2025

Grand Base Nagasaki City
Grand Base Urakami
Grand Base Urakami
3 out of 5
7-7 Kawaguchimachi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Nagasaki. Enjoy free WiFi, slippers, and climate control. Popular attractions Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the ...
"The kitchenette was well appointed and the bathrooms were nice and clean."

Reviewed on 16 Mar. 2025

Grand Base Urakami
Oyado Kinokuniya Daikoku Machi
Oyado Kinokuniya Daikoku Machi
2.5 out of 5
5-11 Daikokumachi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki
Stay at this apartment in Nagasaki. Enjoy free WiFi, slippers, and climate control. Popular attractions Amu Plaza Nagasaki and Nakamachi Church are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (86 reviews)
"For that price, it was a very good accodation"

Reviewed on 7 Mar. 2025

Oyado Kinokuniya Daikoku Machi
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Nagasaki

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
7
5 - Excellent 58%
4 - Good
4
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We had a great time, unfortunately we didn't stayed longer for the Nagasaki lantern festival

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

This really is a lovely little city with an incredible history I would recommend a visit

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

I had very limited time in Nagasaki due to travel delay. Sights are somewhat spread out so my experience of the city was further restricted. Overall I found the city pleasant and quiet. The Atomic Bomb Museum was an interesting but somber.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very Tourist friendly Lots of English signs Attractions easy to get to Interesting array of different things to see Clean and pleasant environment

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