Nagasaki
Harbor city of trade, faith and peace.
For centuries Nagasaki was Japan's main window to the outside world, and Dutch, Chinese and Portuguese influences still show. Hillside churches and Western houses look over the harbor. The city was also hit by an atomic bomb in 1945, and the Peace Park and museum are quiet, important visits. Streetcars make it easy to get around, and the night view from Mt. Inasa is famous.
Best time: Spring and autumn. Winter is mild; summer is hot and humid.
Weather
Average temperature, °C. JMA 1991–2020 normals (Nagasaki (JMA)).
Top 5
- Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace ParkA sobering, essential visit.
- Glover GardenWestern-style houses above the harbor.
- Oura ChurchAn old Gothic-style church near Glover Garden.
- DejimaThe rebuilt Dutch trading post island.
- Gunkanjima cruiseLanding tours to the abandoned island depend on waves and wind.
A simple day
- Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum.
- Champon lunch in Chinatown.
- Dejima.
- Oura Church and Glover Garden.
- Mt. Inasa for the night view.
Where to stay
- Nagasaki StationTrains and streetcars.
- Hamanomachi / ShianbashiRestaurants and nightlife.
- OuraClose to the churches and harbor.
Places we’ve checked
- Garden Terrace Nagasaki Hotels & Resortsstay site ↗
- Shiseki Ryotei Kagetsurestaurant site ↗
- Shikairourestaurant site ↗
- Hotel Monterey Nagasakistay site ↗
- Nagasaki Kagamiyastay site ↗
- Dejimaspot site ↗
- Gunkanjima (Hashima) landing cruiseexperience site ↗
From the psst directory. Opening days and prices change — check the official site before you go.
Getting there
Hakata → Nagasaki: about 1h20 by relay Kamome and the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen.
psst — skip this mistake: Booking Gunkanjima for your last day. Landings are often canceled by weather; leave a backup day.