History / Culture / Tour Spots in Nagasaki Area

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Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

4.5

2014 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Hiranomachi 7-8

The museum is located on a hill overlooking the center of the explosion from the atomic bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki. Pictures of Nagasaki before and after the bombing as well as structures and everyday items which survived the explosion are displayed in the museum in story-like fashion. Patrons are allowed to touch some of the exhibits which convey to the present the horrors of the atomic bomb. Multilingual exhibit descriptions and audio guides are available. A five-minute walk from the Hamaguchi-machi stop on the tramway.

A place to learn about the devastation of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki & its effect on her people. There is entrance fee to enter some parts of the museum. There is another section that it doesn’t...
Shimabara Castle

4.0

317 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Shimabarashi Jounai 1-1183-1

Shimabara Castle is located at the foot of Mt. Unzen overlooking the Ariake Sea. The castle is comprised of a five-tier tower surrounded by turrets of various sizes and incorporates the castle architectural style of the Azuchi-Momyama period. The castle is distinguished by its tall and strong walls. After it was completed in 1624, the castle served as the seat of 19 generations of feudal lords from four clans over a 250-year history and was the stage for many historical events. The castle was demolished with the Meiji Restoration but the tower was restored in 1964. The interior of the castle is a museum which exhibits materials related to the early Japanese Christians and other local history matters.

島原を象徴する史跡の一つです。天守は復元されたものですが威風堂々としており、ぐるっと囲まれた堀のどこから見てもその素晴らしさを窺い知ることが出来ます。天守内は歴史資料館となっていますが、他の日本の城とは一線を画し、潜伏していたキリシタンの史料が多く展示されています。島原を中心としたキリシタンの信仰と彼らを弾圧しようとする勢力との戦いを学ぶことが出来る施設の一つでもあります。最上階からの展望室か...
Urakami Cathedral

4.0

404 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Motomachi 1-79

This Cathedral of the Catholic Church is located to the north of Nagasaki City. Its story began in the Edo period, with the ban on Christianity and the persecution of believers who lived in Urakami. The cathedral was built during the Meiji and Taisho periods. It was, however, later destroyed by the atomic bomb, leaving only a single wall standing, and the present building is a reconstruction of the original cathedral, built in 1959. It is located 5 minutes' walk from the Heiwa Koen (Peace Park) tram stop.

This was my first time to Nagasaki. This cathedral in positioned on a hill, so you can get a bit of a view of the surrounding area. Not many places like this in Asia.
Hirado Castle

4.0

176 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Hiradoshi Iwanouechou 1458

This was the residential castle of the Matsura clan, the feudal lords of the Hirado Domain. The fortification technology at the time incorporated the unusual Yamagaryu (Yamaga school) style. Construction originally began in 1599 as “Hi-no-Takejo” but as it neared completion in 1613, it fell under suspicion from Tokugawa Ieyasu due to the deep friendship the clan had with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, so the clan head Shigenobu burned down the castle himself. The clan lived in the palace that was on the site for about 90 years, and reconstruction of Hirado Castle began in 1704 and was completed in 1718. The view of the Port of Hirado looking down from the castle keep is outstanding, and visitors can obtain a view that includes the virgin forest of Kuroko Island (a Natural Monument) and the Hirado Ohashi Bridge.

This is a smallish castle but with plenty of history. Its a short climb from central Hirado and easily accessible. The main keep has all the displays. Given Hirados history with foreign traders I...
Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum

4.0

217 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Dejimamachi 2-1

"Located next to ""Nagasaki Seaside Park"", the museum has an impressive open atmosphere adopting greenery and light. The architecture was designed by Kengo Kuma, who also designed the buildings of Starbucks Coffee in Dazaifu and the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center, and has received numerous awards including the Good Design Award. The exhibits are based on the art collection from Spain during World War II by Yakichiro Suma, an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, and include many works of art related to Nagasaki and Spanish artworks. Three-minute walk from Dejima tram stop."

The building is very interesting to walk in and around, and for the price (410 yen), the permanent exhibition is OK. This collection is not very big, though. There was a special exhibition or two...
Nagasaki Confucian Shrine and Historical Museum of China

4.0

202 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Ouramachi 10-36

The museum was built in 1983 with the aim of promoting cultural exchange and friendship between China and Japan. Museum displays are changed every two to three years, with important articles from the collections of museums throughout China on permanent display. The adjoining Confucian Shrine was built in 1893 through cooperation between the Chinese Qing government and people of Chinese heritage residing in Japan and is an extremely rare example of authentic Chinese mausoleum architecture in the country. A three-minute walk from the O-Uratenshudoshita stop on the tramway.

This was one of the best places we visited. The temple isnt huge, but its beautiful though there is a bit of clutter in some places as they were doing some minor construction. There are scores of...
Nagasaki Kameyama Shachu Memorial Museum

3.5

220 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Irabayashi 2-7-24

The Kameyama Shachu was a society set up by Sakamoto Ryoma and friends with the help of the wealthy Kozone merchant family in 1865. In addition to being involved in the marine transport industry, the society took part in the planning of the Satsuma-Choshu Alliance and numerous other key events from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji Restoration. This memorial museum is housed inside a renovated and restored building of the society’s, and singer and actor Tetsuya Takeda serves as honorary director. The museum displays a replica of the boots Ryoma wore, copies of his letters, and other ephemera, making it a must-see for fans of this great historic figure.

Although I had been several times in Nagasaki, this was the first time that I visited Kameyama Shachu. It was much smaller than I had thought, but anyway it was very impressive to stand the site...
Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture

4.5

195 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Tateyama 1-1-1

Jointly built by the prefecture and city of Nagasaki in 2005, the museum presents the history of Nagasaki with a focus on its history of international exchange. Exhibits include writings and artwork from countries and regions with which Nagasaki was closely connected to such as China, Korea, and the Netherlands. The museum’s collection also includes historical materials from the Nagasaki Magistrate’s Office deemed Important Cultural Properties and which have also served as sources for numerous historical novels and Japanese period dramas. A 10-minute walk from JR Nagasaki Station.

It’s fine. Within the “permanent exhibition,” very little is explained in English, and the audio guide is badly narrated by some American millennial - unlistenable. The “recorded plays” in the...
Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum

4.5

181 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Nishizakamachi 7-8

In 1597, six Franciscan missionaries and 20 Japanese Christians were executed on this hill as a result of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s prohibition of Christianity. It is reported that they requested to be martyred here because the site resembled the hill of Golgotha upon which Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, and many other missionaries and followers were executed on this spot thereafter. A bronze monument featuring full-body statues of the 26 martyrs was erected in 1962. The Roman Catholic Church designated this spot as an official Vatican pilgrimage spot in 1950.

We made it here shortly before the museum closed, so we didnt see much of that part. However, even if you dont visit the museum, the monument itself is worth a visit. Its conveniently close to the...
Tabira Catholic Church

4.5

128 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Hiradoshi Tabirachoukotedamen 19

This church is located in Kotedamen, Tabira-cho, Hirado City. A church built by believers who moved from Kuroshima and overseas after 1886 and whose temporary building was a private house, the permanent building was completed in 1918 from the donation of accumulated money from worshippers. The last brick church designed by Yosuke Tetsukawa, who helped design many churches in Nagasaki, it has been designated a nationally important cultural property. You must contact them in advance for tours.

事前予約が必要との事で、ネットで予約して行ったのですが、コロナ禍だったからか、誰のチェックも無く、ただただ勝手に外から見学して来ました。コロナ前は内部も見る事が出来たようですが、中は見られず残念でした。でも、予約は何だったのか？未だに分かりません。
Kofukuji Temple

4.0

103 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Teramachi 4-32

A Buddhist temple founded in 1620 by Chinese priest Shinen in prayer for the safe travels of traders sailing to and from Nagasaki. The main temple nave, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, was rebuilt in 1883 by Chinese artisans and is purely Chinese in architectural style. The temple’s charms, made from water strainers, are said to bring the fulfillment of love as well as traffic safety. An eight-minute walk from the Kokaidomae stop on the tramway.

Beautiful temple with interesting inner worship hall. You can also enjoy a lovely and authentic green tea service!
Sofukuji Temple

4.0

162 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Kajiyamachi 7-5

The oldest Chinese-style Buddhist temple in Japan. The temple was built in 1629 by Chozen, priest from Fuzhou, China. The Dai’ippo-mon gate and Daio Ho-den hall are designated National Treasures. Many other buildings on the temple’s grounds are also protected as Important Cultural Properties. The Buddhist statues and ritual implements in the temple hall were all created by Chinese craftsman. One of the Four Nagasaki Temples of Good Fortune.

Another great sight Nagasaki has to offer, This temple is easily accessible by tram, but once you get there, you feel like youre far away from the city in many cases. Its got great views of the...
Unzen Disaster Memorial Museum Gamadasu Dome

4.5

108 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Shimabarashi Heiseimachi 1-1

The museum was established to convey to future generations the “Great Heisei Eruption” of Mt. Unzen Fugen from 1990 to 1996. The memorial hall has been built on the spot that was damaged by the eruption and which was originally sea. From the observation point, you can view the Ariake Sea and Mt. Unzen Fugen together with the new sight of the revitalized town. Experience type programs with varying contents are also held. It is a 10-minute walk from the “Arena Iriguchi” bus stop.

It is very touching to go inside this museum, you can find all the relevant information, photos and remains of the two eruptions in 1792 and 1991. I am very much impressed by two things: First is...
Watazumi Shrine

4.0

119 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Tsushimashi Toyotamamachini Wanomiya 55

This shrine is located in Nii, Toyotama-cho, Tsushima City. It is dedicated to Hikohohodemi no Mikoto and the ocean goddess Toyotamahime no Mikoto. In front of the main shrine, there are five torii gates including in the sea, making it a mysterious shrine with Dragon King's Palace legends from long ago.

Yo you heard about the tori? These thing look like a gate, tou can walk through some of them but some is in the water. The Tsushima peoples believe that when you go through the gate tou go to the...
Gunkanjima Digital Museum

4.0

81 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Matsugaemachi 5-6

Gunkanjima (Hashima Island) is located some 18 kilometers off the coast of Nagasaki Port. Due to its resemblance to the Tosa-class battleship, the island came to be known as Gunkanjima (literally, Battleship Island). Using state of the art digital technologies, the Gunkanjima Digital Museum helps visitors to experience the history of the Hashima Coal Mine located on the island. Some of the museum’s many highlights include a recreation of the journey miners would take from the surface to the heart of the mine below sea level and an exhibit which recreates the room of a miner’s dwelling.

Amazing technology that allows you to walk around the island. A lot of information, you wonder how people ever managed to live there in such conditions. And you cant help but leave wondering why...
Iki City Ikikoku Museum

4.5

100 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagasaki Iki Ashibecho Fukaetsurukifure 515-1

"A museum located in Fukaetsurukifure Ashibe-cho, Iki City. The musem contains exhibits on Iki Province, which is discussed in the ancient ""Gishiwa Jinden"" and which played a vital role in connecting Japan to the continent. Via exhibits on the over 270 tumuli dotting the island, dioramas depicting the ancient ships which traveled between here and the Korean Peninsula, and other exhibits, visitors can learn about the history of Iki Province."

You can see the life of Japanese in ancient age and the history of exchange point between Japan and continental of China.
Reconstruction of the 1639 warehouse of the Dutch Trading Post in Hirado

3.5

96 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Hiradoshi Okubochou 2477

This trading post built in Hirado flourished as port of trade with the Netherlands for 33 years from 1609 to 1641 until the move to Nagasaki’s Dejima Island. The stone warehouse built in 1639 to store trade cargo is Japan’s first western-style building, and the exterior resembles the style of buildings in the Netherlands. To the Japanese this exterior was a strange sight and since the Western calendar was inscribed on the gables the Edo shogunate had it destroyed. The Hirado Dutch Trading Post that opened in 2011 is a faithful reconstruction of this building. Visitors can also peruse materials that concern trade in those days.

Whilst this building which was rebuilt over the old 1600s foundations of the Dutch Trading Post has limited space it was very worthwhile visiting to get an idea of how the Dutch lived and traded...
Endo Shusaku Literature Museum

4.5

76 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Higashishitsumachi 77

"This literature museum is located in Higashishitsu-machi, Nagasaki City. It opened in the Sotome area, which also served as the stage for the novel ""Silence,"" for the purpose of exhibiting and researching approximately 30,000 items such as manuscripts and collections donated by Shusaku Endo's family. Besides the permanent exhibits, it also has displays related to Shusaku Endo with themes that change every two years. In addition, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the sea of Sumonada sea from the grounds."

The Shusaku Endo literature museum was established in May 2000, with the cooperation of his widow and family, under one premise, that it in built and commands a view of the calm Goto-Nada Sea. The...
Nagai Takashi Memorial Museum Nyokodo

4.5

72 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Uenomachi 22-6

This museum commemorates Dr. Takashi Nagai, who contributed to the rebuilding of Nagasaki and advocated eternal peace through brotherly love after losing his wife and suffering illness due to the atomic bombing. The Nyoko-do is a small house that was built by Urakami Catholics and served as the doctor’s sickroom and writing room before his death. The memorial hall displays writings and other articles that belonged to the doctor as well as a rosary used by his wife that was burned in the explosion.

Nyokodo is an amazing place that details and presents the life of a man who dedicated himself to science and in a matter of fact, humanity. In June 1945 (approx 2 months before the atomic explosion...
Former Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Nagasaki Branch Museum

4.0

81 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Matsugaemachi 4-27

Completed in 1904, the building is the only existing monument designed by Kikutaro Shimoda (1866-1931), a genius of the architectural world in from the Meiji through early-Showa period and has become a nationally-designated Important Cultural Property. One of the largest Western-style buildings in Nagasaki City, it has a design that emphasizes its front facing the sea, such as with the arcade of continuous arches on the first floor, architectural style called order using the large round Corinthian columns passing through the second and third floors, and a triangle gable above it all. The Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Nagasaki Branch was the only foreign bank to the west of Kobe at the time, and it was a special exchange bank whose main business was trading of foreign currencies in London, Shanghai and Hong Kong and foreign exchange for clients such as foreign residents, particularly traders. Attached to the Nagasaki Museum of Modern-Era Exchange, Sun Yat-sen & Umeya Shokichi, it introduces the history of Nagasaki that served as an international trade port and the friendship that transcended national borders between Sun Yat-sen, father of the Chinese revolution, and Shokichi Umeya, the Nagasaki entrepreneur who supported the revolution. In addition, there is also an experience corner where you can have fun learning.

A great architectural building that shows the grandeur of former years of the area and of banking as a whole and it deserves to be preserved as it has. Now a museum this stands out against the...

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Nagasaki Areas

This hidden corner of the country is rural Japan at its best, where underground activity is to thank for active volcanoes and bubbling natural hot springs along the Shimabara Peninsula as well as the crystal clear waters of the Goto Islands off the west coast. Less well known than Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, Nagasaki commemorates its own past at the Nagasaki Peace Park, which sits alongside the charming Meganebashi stone bridge and a mix of religious buildings with beautiful architecture, such as the Zen Buddhist Sofukuji Temple, the Confucian Shrine, and the Oura Christian Church.