Nagasaki

Nagasaki, on Kyushu in Japan, is visited for the Peace Park and atomic bomb history, the Edo-era trading island of Dejima, and night views over a harbor city built on hills.

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Nagasaki is the capital and largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture, on Kyushu, the southwesternmost of Japan's main islands. Its name means "Long Cape," and the city sits where a long bay runs inland to form the best natural harbor on Kyushu. Expect steep streets and many staircases, since most housing climbs the hills around the central plain. In the Edo period, Nagasaki was Japan's only port licensed for trade with the Portuguese and Dutch. Dejima, an artificial island in the harbor, was the trading post, and its site is now a historic area with a museum.

On 9 August 1945 an atomic bomb exploded over the Urakami Valley at 11:02 a.m. The Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum sit near the hypocenter. The Hidden Christian Sites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Mount Inasa night view also draw visitors. Summers are long, hot and humid, so spring and autumn suit a visit best. Two days covers the main sites.

Nagasaki in five

Start at the Peace Park and museumThe Atomic Bomb Museum, Hypocenter Park and Peace Park are close together in Urakami, north of the center. Allow half a day, and go in the morning.
Ride the trams between sightsTrams link the station, Dejima, Glover Garden and the Peace Park area at a flat fare per ride, so you rarely need a taxi.
Book Gunkanjima early and expect cancellationsLanding tours leave from Nagasaki Port, take about 3 hours and give roughly 40–50 minutes on the island. High waves can cancel the landing, especially in typhoon season.
See the night view from Mt InasaThe ropeway up Mt Inasa is the classic way to see the city and harbor lit up. Go around sunset, then dine in the center afterward.
Combine Dejima, Glover Garden and ChinatownDejima, the former Dutch trading post, the hillside Glover Garden and Chinatown fit in one tram-hopping half day. Try champon, the local noodle dish.

Things to do in Nagasaki

See all attractions in Nagasaki

Landmark · NagasakiDejima

Cityscape with a bay, shipyard, and mountains

Historic site · NagasakiGlover GardenBuy tickets in advance and arrive early in the day, when the garden is quieter.

Temple · NagasakiFukusaiji

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to NagasakiPut the places you like in Nagasaki on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Getting there: From Hakata about 1.5 hours; change at Takeo-Onsen
Getting around: Trams, buses and steep walks; the center is compact
Best base: Near Nagasaki Station, or Shianbashi for evenings
Time needed: 1 long day from Fukuoka; 2 days is more relaxed
Peace Park: Free to enter; the Atomic Bomb Museum charges an entry fee

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Cool, quiet
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Lantern Festival
MarchRain12 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Blossom late
AprilRain11 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Cherry blossom
MayRain11 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Golden Week
JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Rainy season
JulyRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Hot, humid
AugustRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low26°Aug 9 memorial
SeptemberRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Typhoon risk
OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Kunchi, clear
NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Autumn color
DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Cold, clear

Average daily high and low in Nagasaki, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Oct Nagasaki Kunchi

Right now in Nagasaki

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 14°
Humidity: 69%
Wind: 17 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Nagasaki

05:37 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+9

Today19°14°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed19°14°6%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 6%.
Thu22°16°89%Thursday: Rain. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 89%.
Fri19°12°12%Friday: Clear. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 12%.
Sat14°8°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun16°8°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
Mon18°11°4%Monday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 4%.

Updated 01:19 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY

Amount

Converted to

JPY · Japanese Yen

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Nagasaki

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

OctNagasaki KunchiNagasaki

Day trips by train

Fukuokaabout 1.5 hours by trainThe usual gateway; ramen, yatai and the airport.Read the guide
Takeo Onsenabout 30 minutes by shinkansenA quiet hot-spring town on the way back toward Hakata.
Huis Ten Boschabout 1.5 hours by rapid trainA Dutch-themed park and resort near Sasebo.

Before you go to Nagasaki

Gunkanjima landing tourBoat trip with time on the islandCompare day trips

Hakata to Nagasaki by railShinkansen link: single or passSee pass prices

eSIM for JapanData on arrival, no counter queueRead the guide

Travel insuranceMedical cover for visitors to JapanRead the guide

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Rules for Nagasaki, checked

Check visa and entry requirements on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website before you fly to Nagasaki.Source
Dial 110 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance. Save these numbers before you travel.
Wear shoes with good grip for the steep streets and staircases that climb from the central plain.
At the Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum, keep your voice low and ask before photographing other visitors or staff.

Plan around Nagasaki

Kyushu travel guide

How Fukuoka, Beppu, Kumamoto and Nagasaki fit together.

Read the guide Is the JR Pass worth it?

Price the Kyushu shinkansen legs before you buy.

Read the guide Best time to visit Japan

Blossom, autumn color, rainy season and typhoons.

Read the guide Money in Japan

Cash, cards and IC cards, and where cash still rules.

Read the guide Best eSIM for Japan

Data plans compared, installed before you fly.

Read the guide

Nagasaki FAQ

Is Nagasaki worth visiting?

Yes. The Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum are among Japan's most important sites, and the city adds Dejima, hillside streets, local food and a strong night view. It suits one or two days.

How many days do you need in Nagasaki?

One long day covers the Peace Park, Dejima and Glover Garden. Two days lets you add the Mt Inasa night view without rushing, and a Gunkanjima tour needs about half a day on its own.

Can you visit Nagasaki as a day trip from Fukuoka?

Yes, but it is about 1.5 hours each way. You can see the Peace Park, Dejima and one more sight. Stay a night to see the harbor lit up from Mt Inasa.

Can you visit Gunkanjima (Battleship Island)?

Yes, only on a landing tour from Nagasaki Port. The trip takes about 3 hours, with roughly 40–50 minutes on the island. Waves can cancel the landing, so spring and autumn are more reliable.

Is the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum worth it?

Yes, and it is emotionally heavy. Allow 1.5–2 hours, then walk the Peace Park and Hypocenter Park to give yourself time afterward. Go in the morning, before school groups arrive.