• Nagasaki Peace Park - Nagasaki Peace Park (平和公園, Heiwa Kōen) is a serene area dedicated to remembering the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, which devastated much of the city and claimed the lives of tens of thousands. The site includes two parks and a memorial museum.

At the heart of the park is Hypocenter Park, featuring a simple black monolith marking the explosion’s epicenter. Nearby stands a damaged pillar from the former Urakami Cathedral, destroyed in the blast. Visitors can also view a section of soil beneath the park’s surface, where remnants like broken roof tiles, bricks, and glass from the explosion remain.

• Inasayama Observation Deck - Mount Inasa (稲佐山, Inasayama) is a 333-meter-high mountain near Nagasaki’s city center.

The summit is accessible by ropeway, bus, or car and offers stunning views of the city. The night views from Mount Inasa are considered one of Japan’s top three night views, alongside those from Mount Hakodate and Mount Rokko. The summit hosts several television and radio antennas and an observation deck with a restaurant.

• Nagasaki Lantern Festival - The Nagasaki Kunchi (長崎くんち) is the festival of Suwa Shrine, celebrated annually in Nagasaki from October 7-9. This festival, with a history of about 400 years, incorporates elements of Chinese and Dutch cultures, reflecting the city’s historical influences. The festival’s name is thought to derive from ku-nichi (“9th day”), the ninth day of the ninth lunar month.

The festival’s highlights include dance and show performances by groups from Nagasaki’s various city districts. Each district (odori-cho) participates only once every seven years, keeping the festival fresh even for regular attendees.

• Glover Garden - Glover Garden (グラバー園, Glover-en) is an open-air museum in Nagasaki showcasing the mansions of several former foreign residents and related buildings. It is situated on the hill where Western merchants settled after Japan ended its isolation in the late 19th century.

The main attraction is the Former Glover House, the oldest Western-style wooden building in Japan. Thomas Glover (1838-1911), a Scottish merchant, moved to Nagasaki after the port opened to foreign trade in 1859. He later supported revolutionaries who helped overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Meiji Restoration. Glover played a significant role in Japan’s early industrialization, particularly in shipbuilding and mining.

• Sofukuji Temple - Sofukuji Temple (崇福寺, Sōfukuji) is a temple in Nagasaki affiliated with the Obaku school of Zen Buddhism. Built in 1629 for Nagasaki’s Chinese residents, the temple features Chinese architectural style, setting it apart from other Japanese temples.

Sofukuji is constructed along a hillside. At the base stands the temple’s two-story entrance gate, Ryugumon (lit. Gate of the Dragon Palace), painted bright red like the rest of the temple. Originally built in 1673, the gate was destroyed multiple times by fire and storms before its latest reconstruction in 1849.

• Dejima - Dejima (出島) was an artificial island in Nagasaki’s port, created in 1636 to separate Portuguese residents from the Japanese and control their missionary activities.

A few years later, the Portuguese were expelled, and the Dutch Trading Station moved to Dejima from Hirado. During Japan’s two centuries of isolation, the Dutch were confined to Dejima as the only Westerners allowed in the country.

Today, Dejima is no longer an island, as the surrounding area was reclaimed in the 20th century. However, many of Dejima’s historical structures remain or have been reconstructed, including residences, warehouses, walls, and gates. The ultimate goal is to restore Dejima to its island status by digging canals around its perimeter.

• Urakami Cathedral - Urakami Cathedral (浦上天主堂, Urakami Tenshudō) is a Catholic church in Nagasaki with a poignant history. Now a functioning church in a large, European-style red brick building, it houses various relics that survived the atomic bombing.

The atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, nearly obliterated the church, which was just 500 meters from the hypocenter. Charred stone saints remain in place before a ruined wall in front of the cathedral. Inside, relics include the surviving head of a Saint Mary statue and one of the church’s original bells. The modern cathedral was completed in 1959.

• Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture - Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture (長崎歴史文化博物館, Nagasaki Rekishi Bunka Hakubutsukan) is a modern museum dedicated to Nagasaki’s history as a major international trading port. The extensive permanent exhibition spans two floors, with sections focusing on different aspects of Nagasaki’s rich history.

During the Edo Period, Japan adopted isolationism, cutting off from the world. Nagasaki became one of the few ports open to international trade, primarily with the Chinese and Dutch. This made the city Japan’s main gateway to the world, fostering a rich economy, culture, and history.

• Kofukuji Temple - Kofukuji Temple (興福寺, Kōfukuji) is the oldest and one of the most significant Chinese-founded temples in Nagasaki. Located in the Teramachi (“Temple Town”) district, it is the birthplace of the Obaku school of Zen Buddhism in Japan and boasts many fascinating features.

The temple was established around 1620 by a Chinese monk during a time when many Chinese merchants were trading in Nagasaki. The complex was initially a place for merchants to pray for safe sea travel, and its construction is heavily influenced by Chinese architectural styles, making it distinct from other Japanese temples.

The temple grounds include several buildings, such as the main hall, built in 1632, showcasing Chinese-style architecture of the era. A notable large glass lantern imported from China hangs from the main hall’s roof. Various other interesting halls and structures are scattered around the grounds, with English explanatory signs.

• Nagasaki Gokoku Shrine - Nagasaki Confucius Shrine (孔子廟, Kōshi-byō) is one of the few shrines in Japan dedicated to the esteemed Chinese philosopher Confucius. Built in 1893 by Nagasaki’s Chinese community, the vibrant shrine also features a museum at the rear.

A small garden with a bridge and pond welcomes visitors at the entrance. The ornate Chinese-style buildings are topped with yellow roofs. The shrine’s courtyard is flanked by 72 life-size stone statues of Confucius’ disciples, each weighing around two tons. Visitors are encouraged to find a statue resembling a relative.

• Catholic Oura Church - Oura Church (大浦天主堂, Ōura Tenshudō) is a Catholic church in Nagasaki. Constructed towards the end of the Edo Period in 1864 by a French missionary for the city’s growing foreign merchant community, it is considered Japan’s oldest standing Christian church.

Oura Church honors the memory of the 26 Christians executed in the city in 1597. Today, the church is a beautiful example of contemporary European architecture, attracting many visitors. It was the first Western-style building in Japan to be designated a national treasure. The admission fee includes access to a museum about Christianity’s history in Japan.

The Christian Museum, located in charming old buildings to the right of the church, is included in the admission fee. It features various exhibits on the history of Oura Church and Christianity in the region and across Japan, with artifacts and old documents on display. Most explanations are in Japanese.

• Twenty-Six Christian Martyrs Monument - The Twenty-Six Martyrs Monument and adjacent museum (二十六聖人記念館, Nijūroku Seijin Kinenkan) in Nagasaki commemorate the twenty-six Christians executed on February 5, 1597. The group included both foreign missionaries and Japanese laymen. Missionary activities were banned, and Japan’s ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi staged the execution as a warning.

The monument is situated in a small park on a hill near Nagasaki Station, offering pleasant views of the city. A straight red line runs from the monument across the park’s plaza towards Oura Church on the opposite side of the city, which is also dedicated to the 26 martyrs.

The museum behind the monument honors the martyrs and Christianity in Japan. Its interior resembles a church with stained-glass windows, creating an atmospheric setting for the exhibits. Artifacts related to Christianity in Japan, including old documents, statues, and jewelry, are on display, with many explanations in English.

• Dutch Slope - The Dutch Slope (オランダ坂, Oranda-zaka) is a stone-paved street ascending a hillside in Nagasaki, where many foreign traders lived after the city’s port opened to foreign trade in 1859. For a time, “Dutch” referred to all things Western, as the Dutch were the only Westerners allowed in Japan for two centuries.

A few former residences remain in the area today, including Higashi Yamate 13, which is open to the public. Once home to a prosperous European family, this well-preserved Western-style house retains much of its original furniture and room layouts. An upstairs balcony offers lovely views of the surrounding area. A cafe is located on the ground floor.

• Spectacles Bridge (Meganebashi) - Meganebashi (眼鏡橋, lit. Spectacles Bridge) is the most notable of several stone bridges crossing the Nakashima River in downtown Nagasaki. The bridge is named for its resemblance to a pair of spectacles when reflected in the river and is a popular tourist attraction, designated as an important cultural property.

Originally built in 1634, the bridge’s construction was overseen by the Chinese monk who later became the resident priest of Kofukuji Temple, located a short walk away. The bridge, along with others along the river, was severely damaged by floods in 1982 but has been repaired using recovered stones.

A stone walkway along the riverbank offers a pleasant stroll with beautiful views of the water and bridges. The walkway has a peaceful atmosphere and is accessible by steps from street level at various points along the river.

• Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum - The Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum (長崎県美術館, Nagasaki-ken Bijutsukan) is a modern, spacious complex beautifully situated by Nagasaki’s port. Designed by renowned architect Kuma Kengo, the museum opened in 2005 and houses permanent collections of art related to Nagasaki, as well as a significant collection of Spanish art. It also hosts temporary exhibitions.

Constructed with glass and rock, the museum is airy and bright, featuring multiple exhibition galleries. The Suma Collection includes Spanish art from medieval to contemporary works, with pieces by legendary artists like Picasso. It is named after Suma Yakichiro, who began the collection while serving as a diplomat in Spain during the 1940s. Another collection focuses on art related to Nagasaki, including works by local artists.

The museum’s roof garden is another appealing feature. The garden consists of lawn space divided by a paved walkway, with seating areas offering lovely views of the port and city. The roof garden is accessible from both inside and outside the museum, making it open to all visitors.

• Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum - The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum (長崎原爆資料館), located near the hypocenter of the August 9, 1945 bombing, documents the devastation caused by the atomic bomb and the city’s recovery. The museum features artifacts such as a melted rosary, a clock stopped at 11:02 a.m., and personal belongings of victims. Through photographs, survivor testimonies, and exhibits, it conveys the horrors of nuclear warfare and promotes peace. Facilities include audio guides, a library, a video room, and barrier-free access. The museum serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of war and the urgent need for nuclear disarmament and lasting global peace.

• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
• Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Nagasaki
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from ‘What to expect’ list

• Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
• Private Vehicle
• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
• Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Explore Nagasaki with a government-licensed and experienced English-speaking guide! Your guide will help you efficiently enjoy a full-day walking tour of Nagasaki and introduce both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic and ancient Japanese city.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel in Nagasaki and take you to visit Nagasaki’s famous sites.

Along with atomic bombing of Nagasaki during WWII, this city’s history features many prominent events. You can learn about this and other interesting aspects during this full-day walking tour accompanied by your private guide.

Note1: You cannot visit all the sites on the itinerary. You can choose up to 4 sites to visit. You must inform your guide of the sites you wish to visit.
Note2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

• This is a walking & public transport tour. Pick up is on foot.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.