This port city on Japan’s Kyushu island has a layered history as one of the country’s earliest points of contact with the West, alongside its role as the second city to suffer an atomic bombing in 1945.

Why Visit Nagasaki

Nagasaki was Japan’s primary window to European and Chinese trade for centuries, leaving behind a distinct multicultural heritage, alongside the sobering history of the 1945 atomic bombing memorialized at its Peace Park and museum. The combination of history, hillside cityscape, and harbor views gives it a different character than other major Japanese cities.

Top Experiences

  • Nagasaki Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum: Memorials and exhibits documenting the 1945 bombing and its aftermath.
  • Glover Garden: A hillside park of preserved Western-style residences from the era of early foreign trade.
  • Dejima: A reconstructed former Dutch trading post, once Japan’s only legal point of contact with the West during its isolation period.
  • Nagasaki Chinatown: One of Japan’s three official Chinatowns, reflecting the city’s historic trade links with China.
Nagasaki Top Sites Tour

Nagasaki Top Sites Tour

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From USD 115

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Nagasaki Highlights Private Half-Day Tour by Tram

Nagasaki Highlights Private Half-Day Tour by Tram

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From USD 147.93

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Traditional Kimono Experience in Nagasaki

Traditional Kimono Experience in Nagasaki

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From USD 51.46

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Private Nagasaki Peace Park plus culture & nature highlights Tour

Private Nagasaki Peace Park plus culture & nature highlights Tour

★ 5.0 (22)
From USD 707.51

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Tour Fukuoka or Nagasaki in safety and comfort with Private Guide

Tour Fukuoka or Nagasaki in safety and comfort with Private Guide

★ 5.0 (19)
From USD 643.2

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Nagasaki Highlights Private Full-Day Tour by Car

Nagasaki Highlights Private Full-Day Tour by Car

★ 5.0 (17)
From USD 231.55

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Practical Tips

  • Nagasaki is reachable from Fukuoka by train in around 1.5 to 2 hours.
  • The Peace Park and museum are best visited with time to reflect, rather than rushed between other sights.
  • Nagasaki’s hillside layout means expect some uphill walking or use of the local tram and cable car.

FAQ

How do I get to Nagasaki?
By train from Fukuoka, taking around 1.5 to 2 hours, or by flight to Nagasaki Airport.

What happened in Nagasaki in 1945?
It was the site of the second atomic bombing at the end of World War II, memorialized today at the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum.

What is Nagasaki known for?
Its history as an early point of contact between Japan and the West, and the 1945 atomic bombing.