Region
Kyushu
Island
Kyushu
Largest City
Nagasaki
Population
1,516,536

Nagasaki

Fusion and fire in Japan's international gateway

Looking out east, Nagasaki Prefecture has long been the gateway between the outside world and Japan.

A flourishing port of international exchange in the 16th and 17th centuries, Nagasaki prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu was the only place in Japan to continue to welcome foreign trade during the country’s 200 year period of isolation.

As a result, Nagasaki became a keyhole to the world’s modernization and has played an important role in Japan’s cultural and economic development ever since.

Nagasaki City features eye-catching structures that remain from that time like the downtown Meganebashi and Spectacle Bridge.

Nagasaki Peace Park

Nagasaki Peace Park

The Peace Memorial is a bronze statue inside Heiwa (peace) Park.

Made in memory of the victims of the atomic bomb that devastated the city, Nagasaki Peace Park also houses the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall. One of the most notable features of the park is the nearly ten-meter tall Peace Statue sculpted by Seibo Kitamura.

A stroll around the park and its different zones will lead to other installations that illustrate the experiences of the victims of the bombing like the Fountain of Peace which describes the immense thirst for water after the tragedy.

Gunkanjima (Hashima Island)

Hashima Island

“Battleship Island” is registered as a World Heritage Site.

Hashima Island goes by many names. The locals refer to the island as Gunkanjima, or “Battleship Island” because of its resemblance to a floating fortress.

For tourists who are looking to step foot on the island, there are tours that allow visitors to view the building ruins from three vantage points. To learn more about the history of the island, spend an afternoon at the Gunkanjima Digital Museum.

Huis Ten Bosch

Huis Ten Bosch Nagasaki

Stroll through a dreamy European landscape surrounded by tulips.

One of the most famous attractions in Nagasaki is Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park in Sasebo city that was made to channel a European landscape. Notable areas of the park are the multiple gardens filled with different flowers that change through the seasons. A popular time to visit the park is when the tulips and roses bloom.

For those who aren’t so keen on going just for the flowers, the theme park offers “The Kingdom of Light” which is a light showcase best enjoyed after sunset.

Plan your trip to Nagasaki with the links below!

Places to visit

Gunkanjima (Hashima Island)

The inspiration behind the villain’s hideout in the 2012 Bond film Skyfall, Gunkanjima is an eerie time capsule of Japan’s industrial age.

Sasebo downtown skyline at night, Nagasaki, Japan.

Sasebo

Cultural fusion in Nagasaki prefecture’s second largest city.


Obama Onsen

Obama Onsen

Feeling hot, hot, hot.

Nichieiyu Bathhouse

Nichieiyu Bathhouse

One of Nagasaki’s oldest-standing local hangouts.


Dejima

Exit island.

Unzen Toy Museum

Nostalgia in Nagasaki.


Goto Islands

You’ve got to go to Goto. Try saying that three times fast.

Tsushima

A remote treasure island with a long military history.


Nagasaki Bio Park

Animals, plants and excessive cuteness at this zoo/botanical garden.

Nagasaki, JAPAN - February 23, 2015: Jizo statues stand on the beach of Iki Island.

Iki Island

Anything but icky.


Green road along the Shimabara peninsula.

Minami-shimabara

Beaches, breweries and bottle-nosed dolphins.

Shimabara, Nagasaki, Japan townscape.

Shimabara

Walk in the footsteps of samurai.


A scenic bridge heading to Hirado, Nagasaki.

Hirado

A dramatic story lies behind these cosmopolitan islands.

View of the volcanic summit in the Japanese resort Unzen

Mt Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall

A moving museum and memorial.


Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum

Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum

As pretty as a picture(s)

Shimabara Castle in Shimabara, Nagasaki, Japan.

Shimabara Castle

A picture-perfect castle with a not so picture-perfect history.


Nagasaki, Japan - November 14 2013: Remen restaurant in Nagasaki, Japan on November 14, 2013. Unidentified ramen shop keeper, specialize in Champon and Saru Udon, in Nagasaki's Chinatown

Hamanomachi Arcade

Nagasaki’s shopping maze.

View over Mount Unzen Hot Spring - Shimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture Japan

Unzen Onsen

Despite its dark history, Unzen Onsen is a nature lover’s paradise.


Nagasaki, Japan city skyline at dusk

Mount Inasa

This is the night, such a beautiful night.

Dutch Church in Dejima Island

Huis Ten Bosch

Go Dutch in Nagasaki.


Nagasaki Peace Park

Serving as a sobering reminder of the loss of life that occurred, the Nagasaki Peace Park is also an artistic symbol of the enduring struggle for peace.

Nagasaki cityscape at night is one of the best views in Japan

Nagasaki

A vibrant and thriving port city.

Other Destinations in Kyushu

Dazaifu shrine in Fukuoka prefecture

Fukuoka

Fukuoka Prefecture isn't just about partying, but it's a good place to start.

Kagoshima, Japan with Sakurajima Volcano.

Kagoshima

Traditional, tropical, mystical, and magical; Kagoshima is nothing short of extraordinary.

Mount Aso Kumamoto

Kumamoto

Between the smoking crater of Mount Aso in the east and the isolated islands of Amakusa in the west, Kumamoto has plenty to keep you enthralled.

Miyazaki

The mountains and coasts of Miyazaki are calling.

Beppu, in Oita prefecture, Japan's onsen town

Oita

Bathe in hell (in a good way) in onsen-filled Oita.

Shisa and Okinawa

Okinawa

Discover white sandy beaches, crystal blue waters, wild jungles, and centuries of unique native traditions.

Saga

Kyushu's smallest prefecture is big on history, culture and natural beauty.

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Aichi

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Tokyo Skyline Japan Tokyo Tower

Tokyo

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Tap into Tokyo’s Manga and Anime Scene

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Akihabara

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Manhole cover in Ghibli museum, Tokyo-Japan.

Ghibli Museum

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