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    Nagasaki
    City

    Japan

    Nagasaki

    Nagasaki lies on a deeply indented bay in western Kyūshū, with houses climbing steep hillsides.

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    9. Nagasaki
    Nagasaki lies on a deeply indented bay in western Kyūshū, with houses climbing steep hillsides. During Japan's isolation, the city was for over two centuries the only gateway to Europe and China – this shapes its churches, cuisine, and cityscape to this day. On August 9, 1945, Nagasaki was destroyed by an atomic bomb; the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum commemorate this.
    Nagasaki has around 400,000 inhabitants and stretches in a long strip around the harbor, with residential areas clinging to steep hillsides. In the flat city center lie the historic trading island Dejima, Chinatown, and the merchant quarters; to the south, the hillside with Glover Garden and Ōura Church; and to the north, the Peace Park. An affordable tram connects all districts. In the evening, a ride on the cable car up Mount Inasa is worthwhile; its view of the bay is among Japan's most famous night panoramas. From the harbor, boats depart for the abandoned industrial island of Gunkanjima.

    Sights in Nagasaki

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Glover Garden
    Museum

    1Glover Garden

    On the slope above the harbor stand the 19th-century residences of Western merchants, including the house of the Scottish trader Thomas Glover from 1863 – the oldest preserved Western-style wooden house in Japan. Glover was involved in the modernization of shipyards and mining; his house is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution.Escalators make the ascent easier; from the terraces, you gaze over the bay. In the evenings, the garden is open longer on some days.
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    Dejima
    Museum

    2Dejima

    The fan-shaped artificial island was reclaimed in the harbour in 1636. From 1641 to 1859, it served as the trading post of the Dutch East India Company and, for over two centuries, was thus the only place where Europeans were permitted to trade in Japan.Due to land reclamation, Dejima today lies in the middle of the city. Warehouses, merchants' residences, and official buildings have been faithfully reconstructed, showcasing daily life between Japanese and Dutch cultures.
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    Ōura Church
    Church

    3Ōura Church

    The church, built by French missionaries, was consecrated in 1865 and is Japan's oldest surviving church building; it is designated as a National Treasure. Shortly after its consecration, local believers who had preserved their faith in secret for over 250 years revealed themselves here.The church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage of Hidden Christian Sites. An attached museum tells their story. It is located directly below Glover Garden.
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    Park

    4Nagasaki Peace Park

    The park in the city's north lies near the August 9, 1945, explosion center. Its focal point is the almost ten-meter-tall Peace Statue: The upward-pointing right hand warns of nuclear weapon threats, the outstretched left signifies peace.Just a few minutes away are the Hypocenter Park and Atomic Bomb Museum, documenting the city's destruction with artifacts and testimonies. Every August 9, the memorial ceremony takes place here.
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    Restaurants in Nagasaki

    Food and Drink in Nagasaki

    Champon

    Thick noodles in a pork and chicken broth, pan-cooked with plenty of vegetables and seafood. The dish originated at the end of the 19th century in a Chinese restaurant in the city.

    Sara-Udon

    Crispy fried thin noodles, over which a thick sauce with vegetables and seafood is poured.

    Castella

    A Portuguese-style sponge cake, moist and with a caramelized base. Several traditional pastry shops sell it in wooden boxes.

    Turkish Rice

    A plate for hearty appetites: Pilaw, spaghetti and a pork schnitzel with sauce side-by-side.

    Shippoku

    A festive menu featuring many small dishes, combining Chinese, Japanese, and European influences, and shared at a round table.

    World Gate

    Trade with Europe and ChinaPortuguese traders founded the port in the 16th century. During Japan's isolation, from 1641 to 1859, only the Dutch were allowed to trade on the artificial island of Dejima – the sole direct contact with Europe. Chinese merchants left behind temples like Kōfuku-ji and the Shinchi district.Hidden ChristiansAfter the prohibition of Christianity in 1614, believers maintained their faith in secret for over two centuries. The Ōura Church and other sites in the region are now UNESCO World Heritage sites.August 9, 1945The atomic bomb destroyed the northern part of the city around the Urakami district. The Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, and the reconstructed Urakami Cathedral serve as reminders. In October, the city celebrates its most important festival, the Kunchi Festival at Suwa Shrine, where Chinese and European influences are visible.

    Getting there and around

    Getting ThereTrain: From Hakata, take an express train to Takeo-Onsen, then transfer to the Nishi-Kyūshū-Shinkansen on the same platform. Journey: approx. 1.5 hours.Flight: From Nagasaki Airport, 45 min bus to city center.In the CityTram: Four lines connect station, Peace Park, Dejima, Chinatown, and Glover Garden for a single fare.On Foot: Many sights are on steep slopes and stairs – comfortable shoes essential.Gunkanjima: Boat tours to the island depart from the harbor; landings only when sea is calm.

    Accommodations in Nagasaki

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    Nearby

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