Nagasaki is one of the most charming places in Japan. It is a port city which has an old-world feel as well as contemporary sites. It does not have hi-tech subways or mechanized robots which are usually seen in other cities of Japan. Instead, it has a tram system which is very appealing and transports you to another time and world. Here is a traveler’s guide to Nagasaki, small but detailed:
A traveler’s guide to Nagasaki
How to reach Nagasaki
The international airport is usually not the common point of entry into Japan. Most tourists arrive at Fukuoka airport. One of the best traveling tips is to buy a Japan Rail Pass which gives you unlimited access to all the JR trains, including the Narita and the bullet trains. Use your pass to reach Nagasaki in two hours from Fukuoka.
Highway buses are another way to reach Nagasaki, and these buses are quite cheap, and take the same time to reach. You can buy a SUNQ Pass to use all Kyushu buses.
Time to visit
Autumn end i.e. October- November is considered to be the best time to visit. A traveler’s guide to Nagasaki must include weather conditions, so just FYI, Nagasaki experiences a lot of rainfall but not extreme weather changes. But Oct-Nov has no rain and has the most pleasant weather.
What to eat
Don’t miss the ‘champion’ and ‘Sarandon’ when you’re in Nagasaki!
How many days do you need to stay
Depending on your interests, (assuming you’ve done your research online), you can stay as long as you want. But if you’re visiting a lot of cities in Japan, according to our traveling tips, two nights stay is enough to see all that is there in Nagasaki.
How to get around Nagasaki
The ‘Chin-chin dental’ or ‘roman dental’ i.e. trams connect most parts of Nagasaki. Since trams are hard to be found in any city these days, riding on a tram is a unique experience. The service is efficient and prompt and run every 15 minutes during the day. Streetcars and buses will also take you to your destination. As a traveler’s guide to Nagasaki, we must inform you that streetcars stop service at 11 pm, and buses also do not run at night.
Places to see
Glover Garden
There are some nice, European style houses which were built after the Meiji restoration in the 19th century. You can have a wonderful view of Nagasaki Harbor.
Sofuku-ji
Built in 1629 by the Chinese people of Nagasaki, the temple is considered to be among the best Ming Dynasty architecture examples in the world.
Koshibyo-Confucius Shrine
This shrine to Confucius is bright and gorgeous and was made in 1893. It has a peaceful atmosphere, and you must also visit the Chinese History museum near it.
Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium
A very informative and entertaining place to see in Nagasaki. Penguins, fish, and invertebrates are on view. Relax on the beach nearby as an added bonus.
Nagasaki Peace Park
If you’re into grief tourism, this is one of the places you must visit. It is a place where you can pay your respects to the people dead in the bombing of 1945. The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum informs visitors about the horrors of war.
Mount Inasa
A traveler’s guide to Nagasaki must include Mount Inasa. The view from the top offers amazing 360-degree views of Nagasaki Harbor and City, which you simply cannot miss in Nagasaki. Visit it at a time to enjoy the extraordinarily beautiful view at the nighttime, which is known as ’10 million Dollar View’! You can reach there by ropeway or car/taxi and bus.
Oura Cathedral
French missionaries built this Catholic church in 1864 and happen to be the oldest church in Japan. It has been declared ‘national treasure’ and Mass is held on special occasions.
Urakami Cathedral
This was the biggest Asian church before the 1945 bombing. It is visited by many grief tourism visitors, to attend Mass and pray for the victims of Nagasaki bombing.
What to do in Nagasaki
Lantern Festival
Held from mid – January to mid-February, approx 20,000 lanterns are displayed in Nagasaki. It’s one of the things to do in Nagasaki.
O-Kunchi
Takes place at the beginning of October, featuring giant floats through the city. Enjoying the delicious street food and the festive atmosphere is an unforgettable experience.
Nagasaki Beer Train
Taking a ride on is train is definitely one of the things to do in Nagasaki. It runs from July 3 to September 19th (except on holidays and Sundays). Fill yourself up with unlimited whiskey, beer, and snacks on the 90-minute trip.
O-Bon
Held in August celebrating ancestor worship. Fireworks display is the main attraction, along with sake!
You should have enough time to visit all the historical places and monuments. It’s a city which has been rebuilt after the nuclear bomb attack, and the Peace Memorial there is a sad reminder of the danger of nuclear arms. But there are lots of fun things to experience in Nagasaki as well, and you will love your travels in Nagasaki for sure!
Nagasaki is one of the best Asain cultural destinations. If you are curious about other Asain cities which can offer you a spectacular experience, check out a list of some Asain cities which are a must in your traveler’s bucket list.
Asian cities that should make it to your travel bucket list
Asia has a lot to offer for tourism and travel, and several destinations do make a solid mark on the world. Out of the several interesting cities in Asia, these are the top picks as a tourist destination.
Hong Kong
Witness the spectacular “A Symphony of Lights” which is the world’s largest light and sound show and holds a Guinness Book record for it. Observe the city light up from the Victoria peak, reach the Peak tram a little before the sunset and enjoy the ride.
Hong Kong is a major business hub in the Asia Pacific region with a very intense population density. The Hong Kong Heritage Museum is a must visit, which has 12 exhibition galleries. The life here is in the fast lane and the city has a lot to offer to the visitors.
Bangkok
We all know why Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world. You guessed it, the hospitality and the food. Or is there something else on your mind? The city is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. Bangkok has the ‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’, which is the most significant temple of Buddha in Thailand.
Street food is available around the clock, the city also houses many vibrant bars. You can visit several floating markets on a boat tour. Many multinationals are headquartered for the region in the capital city of Thailand.
Tokyo
Tokyo Prefecture and the city of Tokyo were merged to form the Tokyo Metropolis in 1943. The determination of the Japanese in rebuilding Tokyo after World War II is worth appreciating. If you get hungry while shopping in Tokyo, the basement of the Departmental stores has plenty of food options to relish from.
Tsukiji Fish Market is where you will find the best fish in the whole of Japan, in fact, the market is the largest of its kind in the world. Tokyo is one of the Alpha+ cities of the world, visiting it will be an experience of a lifetime.
Singapore
The city is famous for its Millionaires, one out of six households has a Million bucks at their disposal. The lawmakers are very strict when it comes to cleanliness, this makes Singapore amongst the cleanest cities in the world. The most mesmerizing places in the city are its gardens. The best being the ‘Gardens by the Bay’, about one billion dollars were spent in creating them. The food, the gardens, the public transportation and the effort of the government to attract more tourists makes it a top Asian destination.
There are several other mystical Asian cities worth visiting, the continent offers oriental culture and the modern infrastructure. More and more people flock to Asian cities to enjoy their vacation.