Nagasaki
Discover Nagasaki
Under the national isolation policy of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Nagasaki harbor was the only harbor to which entry of foreign ships was permitted. Even today, Nagasaki shows the influence of many cultures such as Dutch, Portuguese, and Chinese. On 9 August 1945, three days after the bombing of Hiroshima, a nuclear bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing a total of over 100,000 people. Six days later Japan surrendered, ending World War II.
What to Experience in Nagasaki
Taste of Nagasaki...
Nagasaki's most famous dish is champon (ちゃんぽん), which is a hearty dish of noodles in a pork-based broth, filled with vegetables, bacon, shrimp, squid, and scallops. Saraudon (皿うどん) is another popular dish that combines the meat, seafood, vegetables, and sauce of champon, but serves it on a plate, or 'sara', over crispy dry fried noodles. For Nagasaki's most well-known champon and saraudon restaurants, it is best to head into Chinatown (blue streetcar to the Tsuki-machi stop). While you're there, try out some of the fantastic street food, such as kakuni-manju (marinated braised pork cutlet served in a steamed bun), ebichiriman (shrimp fried in chili sauce, again served in a steamed bun), and marakao (steamed pound cake, usually available in chocolate and chestnut flavors). Castella (カステラ) is a sponge cake that was originally brought by the Portuguese; it has assumed a distinctly light Japanese flavor and texture over the centuries, and now one can find it in flavors such as honey, chestnut, and green tea. Head to the 32.73833129.872771 Dutch Slope (オランダ坂) on any day of the week to sample castella for free from one of the many vendors. Chawan mushi, a steamed egg custard, savory instead of sweet and filled with meat, fish, and mushrooms, is also famous. Another Nagasaki dish is Turkish Rice (トルコライス toruko raisu), named after the country. It consists of a pork cutlet, dry curry mixed into rice, and a small serving of spaghetti, all on the same plate. 32.74315129.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere are several limousine bus routes from Nagasaki Airport to the center of the city. All routes cost ¥1000 to JR Nagasaki Station. The fastest buses, via Dejima Road, take around 45 minutes. If you are landing at Fukuoka Airport (FUK), highway buses run to Nagasaki 1-2 times per hour (2 hr 20 min, ¥2620). JR Kyushu operates the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome (かもめ) train service, Japan's newest bullet train line which opened in September 2022. For the time being, only a 66 km (41 mi) section between Nagasaki and Takeo-Onsen is operational. From Fukuoka you will need to take two trains: The Relay Kamome limited express train to Takeo-Onsen, followed by a cross-platform transfer to the Kamome shinkansen train to Nagasaki. This two-train trip will be the norm for some time, as there is no timetable on when construction will begin in order to connect the new bullet train line to the rest of the shinkansen network....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Trams (路面電車 romen densha or チンチン電車 "chin-chin densha") connect most of Nagasaki; they run about every ten to fifteen minutes during the day. The most frequently used lines will be the red (3) and blue (1); the blue and red lines run on the same track from the northern end of Nagasaki as far as the Nagasaki train station, where they split. The blue line continues to the You-me Plaza shopping mall, Dejima, and later the downtown shopping arcade. A one-way trip is ¥140 and you can get a transfer ticket (乗り継ぎ券 ”noritsugi ken") to continue your trip, if it requires two streetcars. These tickets can only be acquired if you get off at the Tsuki Machi stop. You can save money if you're doing a lot of travel by purchasing a daily pass for the streetcars (¥500) which you can purchase at the Tourist Information Center at Nagasaki Station, or most major hotels. Buses also run through much of Nagasaki, including places that aren't served by the streetcars.
Where to Stay
The typical array of business hotels can be found situated a short walk south of Nagasaki train station, along the main road between the station and the ferry terminal. The Toyoko Inn Nagasaki does not offer the usual post-midnight check-in discount. The luxury rooms of Victoria Inn, above, would be suitable for special occasions.
Money & Budget
Nagasaki's most famous dish is champon (ちゃんぽん), which is a hearty dish of noodles in a pork-based broth, filled with vegetables, bacon, shrimp, squid, and scallops. Saraudon (皿うどん) is another popular dish that combines the meat, seafood, vegetables, and sauce of champon, but serves it on a plate, or 'sara', over crispy dry fried noodles. For Nagasaki's most well-known champon and saraudon restaurants, it is best to head into Chinatown (blue streetcar to the Tsuki-machi stop). While you're there, try out some of the fantastic street food, such as kakuni-manju (marinated braised pork cutlet served in a steamed bun), ebichiriman (shrimp fried in chili sauce, again served in a steamed bun), and marakao (steamed pound cake, usually available in chocolate and chestnut flavors).
Safety Information
Glimpses of Nagasaki
Nagasaki Peace Statue in Nagasaki Peace Park, Japan
Nagasaki Port, Japan.
Meganebashi Brigde, Nagasaki,Japan
Nagasaki, Japan skyline at dusk.
a trolley on a street
Overlook Nagasaki city
a tall white building sitting next to a forest
This is one of the guards at Deshima (or Dejima if you like), Nagasaki. Deshima is the place where the Dutch had their trading post for over 200 years when Japan was in "sakoku" or self-isolation. The Dutch and the Chinese were the only foreigners who were allowed to trade with Japan for over 200 years.
red and white tram on road during daytime
an aerial view of a mountain range with a body of water in the distance
Nagasaki Peace Statue in Nagasaki Peace Park, Japan
Nagasaki Port, Japan.
Meganebashi Brigde, Nagasaki,Japan