Nagasaki

Travel Guide
Suwa Shrine
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

Nagasaki Chinatown

Nagasaki Chinatown

5/5(11 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
Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum

Dejimamachi

While visiting Dejimamachi, you might make a stop by sights like Nagasaki Dejima and Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum.

Dejimamachi
Cuore Nagasaki EkiMae
Cuore Nagasaki EkiMae
3 out of 5
7-3 Daikokumachi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Kyushu Island
The price is ¥5,951 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
¥5,951
per night
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Nagasaki. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (854 reviews)
perfect
"very close to train station, hotel is clean and tidy, facilities are good"

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2024

Cuore Nagasaki EkiMae
Hotel Forza Nagasaki
Hotel Forza Nagasaki
3.5 out of 5
4-11 Hamamachi, Nagasaki
Fully refundable
The price is ¥9,409 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
¥9,409
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Nagasaki. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"Conveniently located within the shopping district with lots of eateries nearby. Tram station is just across the road. Modern design lobby and rooms. Free coffee machine in the lobby. Clean rooms. Fast wifi. TV has few channels."

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2024

Hotel Forza Nagasaki
Dormy Inn Nagasakiekimae Hot Springs
Dormy Inn Nagasakiekimae Hot Springs
3 out of 5
2-29 Goto, Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture
The price is ¥12,631 per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
¥12,631
per night
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Nagasaki. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (503 reviews)
"Highly recommend"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Dormy Inn Nagasakiekimae Hot Springs
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.
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, a flat-screen TV, and a separate tub and shower. Popular attractions Amu Plaza Nagasaki and Nakamachi Church ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (40 reviews)
"easy self check in with email instructions, very close to JR station with one foot bridge distance . Apartment provide everything you need for short stay , will recommend to all travellers"

Reviewed on Mar 19, 2024

Oyado Kinokuniya Daikoku Machi
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, onsite parking, and a flat-screen TV. Popular attractions Shofukuji Temple and Nagasaki Museum of History ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (57 reviews)
"Check-in process was confusing. It was not communicated clearly that this hotel does not have a manned front desk. The did not send the access code in a timely-manner, and I had to request for it within a couple hours of checking in. There are NO amenities. No gym, breakfast, etc. However rooms are ..."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2023

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, a flat-screen TV, and a refrigerator. Popular attractions Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (28 reviews)
"It was amazing, convenient, and perfect for what I needed. Surprised there was no tub. A bit troublesome to get in the door to check in. An email was sent a day or two before my stay. Lucky for me I had my son who was studying abroad locally to share his hot spot so I could access my email, AND his ..."

Reviewed on Apr 14, 2023

Grand Base Urakami
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

Things to do

Reviews of Nagasaki

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
24
" "5 - Excellent 52.17391304347826%
4 - Good
19
" "4 - Good 41.30434782608695%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 6.521739130434782%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 4, 2020

Compared to Tokyo, Yokohama, Hiroshima......more relaxed, laid-back and “small-towni-ish”. Great place to stroll around and relax. Public trans makes city easy to see..

4/5 - Good

Darby
Feb 1, 2020

so hard to find a money changer.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 1, 2019

This is an extremely interesting city to visit to learn about both Japanese and world history. It is a very easy city to get around in and people were very helpful.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Nov 13, 2019

Nagasaki is beautiful place with mountains and the sea. It has many sight seeing spots, and we asked questions, people answered kindly every time.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler
Oct 30, 2019

I had to open the windows to let air In because odor in room was very bad

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 21, 2019

Very nice city with much to do. English is limited (compared to Tokyo and Osaka) but people are incredibly friendly and helpful

Cities near Nagasaki