Discover Nagasaki: History, Views and Events

When planning a hotel stay in Nagasaki, you can focus on history, culture, views or events. The city combines historic sites with museums and unique experiences; the topics below will give you a concrete impression of what it has to offer.

History and architecture

Among the sights in the wider Nagasaki destination is Glover Garden, with six Western-style buildings from the Meiji era. They were relocated there from various parts of the city and restored. The main buildings include the former residences of Glover, Ringer and Orto, which are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The garden offers views of Nagasaki Harbor, including an area with World Heritage sites.

One of the historic attractions in the wider Nagasaki destination is Dejima: until 1859, the island was the only place in Japan where Westerners could trade. The former buildings have been faithfully restored on the basis of extensive research. Restored residences and warehouses, along with displayed artifacts, give a sense of the city in the early 19th century. Historical interpreters dressed in samurai clothing guide visitors around the site and explain its buildings and history. The free tour is offered four times daily; check current availability before your visit.

Meganebashi is a historic attraction in the wider Nagasaki destination: it was partially destroyed in the 1982 flood disaster and restored the following year. It is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. In the wider Nagasaki destination, a memorial in Nishizaka Park commemorates 26 Japanese martyrs. On February 5, 1597, six Franciscan missionaries and 20 Japanese believers were executed there. Pope Pius XII designated the memorial an official Catholic pilgrimage site in 1950.

Museums and remembrance

In the wider Nagasaki destination, the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum displays numerous materials that convey the extent of the damage caused by the atomic bomb. Visitors can also read survivors’ accounts there. In the wider Nagasaki destination, layers of ground dating from the time of the atomic bombing have been preserved in Peace Park. They contain numerous roof tiles and bricks from destroyed houses, as well as glass melted by heat of about 3,000 degrees.

The Nagasaki History and Culture Museum in the wider Nagasaki destination offers a different focus. Its permanent exhibitions cover overseas trade and exchanges involving Christianity, China and the Netherlands; they also introduce Nagasaki’s distinctive culture. Visitors can see a reconstruction of the historic Nagasaki Magistrate’s Office, which stood in Nagasaki Suwa no Mori during the Edo period. Interactive learning areas complement the exhibitions, including puzzles, hands-on experiences of traditional crafts and multiscreen films about Nagasaki’s history. Thus, the Atomic Bomb Museum focuses on the effects of the atomic bombing, while the History and Culture Museum explores the history of trade and culture.

Getting around

In the wider Nagasaki destination, Dejima is accessible by tram line 1; the stop is also called Dejima. The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum in the wider Nagasaki destination is also accessible by tram from Nagasaki Station. It is a four-minute walk from the Peace Park tram stop to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Check service information before your journey, as transport details may change.

In the wider Nagasaki destination, the Glover Sky Road incline elevator is a free means of transport for the general public and tourists. It serves residents of a hillside area, including older people and people with disabilities. It is also advisable to briefly check current service information before using the elevator.

Views, events and wildlife

In the wider Nagasaki destination, the observatory on Mount Inasa in Inasayama Park offers 360-degree views of Nagasaki’s landscape. The park also has playgrounds and an outdoor amphitheater. The annual Azalea Festival is held there, featuring karaoke contests and colorful kite-flying demonstrations. The park’s outdoor stage hosts the annual Sky Jamboree rock concert in August, with bands from all over Japan. Dates and programs may vary; check the details for your visit in advance.

The Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium is also part of the wider Nagasaki destination. It keeps about 180 penguins from nine of the world’s 18 penguin species. The aquarium specializes in penguins and gives visitors the opportunity to see the animals it houses together. At Fureai Penguin Beach, you can observe penguins up close as they swim in the natural sea and move around freely. Check whether this activity is available before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Matsuura, Gotō, Hirado, Unzen, Sasebo, Ojika, Isahaya, Ōmura.

Return to the regional travel overview: Nagasaki Prefecture.