Nature Spots in Nagasaki Area

  • Takahama Beach
    rating-image
    4.5
    21 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Takahamamachi
    This beach is located in Takahama-machi, Nagasaki City. With white sands that stretch for approximately 800 meters and cobalt blue seas with excellent water quality, it has been chosen as one of the 88 Best Swimming Beaches in Japan. In addition, you can see Hashima Island (Gunkanjima), which forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage ''Sites of Japan's Meiji Japan Industrial Revolution'' on the other side of the sea.

    We took the bus (number 30) from Nagasaki station to the beach, 50 mins for 590 Yen. For time info ask the tourist office at the station, timetable differs from weekdays and weekends. The bus stop is...

  • Gunkanjima Island
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Takashimamachi Hashima
    Located in the middle of Nagasaki Bay, Hashima Island is known by the nickname Gunkanjima Island (literally, Battleship Island). Coal was discovered on the island in 1810, and after that, it was operated for full-scale coal mining by the Mitsubishi Corporation from 1890. The island flourished as it supported Japan’s modernization from the Meiji period to the Showa period, but with the closing of the mine in 1974, the island’s residents left and it became a deserted island. Now it is possible to land on the island with a guided tour and conduct sightseeing. In 2015, Meiji Japan’s industrial revolution heritage sites including Gunkanjima Island were registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Mt. Inasa
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Inasamachi
    This is a mountain in Nagasaki City with a height of 333 meters. The view from the mountaintop is spectacular and looks out over Nagasaki City and Nagasaki Bay, and Mt. Inasa is a popular sightseeing spot visited by many seeking a nighttime view in particular. The observatory was renovated and reopened in 2011. Enjoy the “10 million dollar night view” from this space featuring a floor inlaid with illumination that twinkles like precious stones.
  • Ikinoshima Island
    Travel / Tourism
    Iki city, Nagasaki prefecture
    "This island in the Genkai Sea is the 20th largest in Japan besides those of Okinawa. Located at a prime spot for maritime traffic, it was described in the ancient documents of the Gishiwajinden and the Nihon Shoki. This long history gained it certification as one of the Japan Heritage sites in 2015. Besides natural sites like ""Onino Ashiato (Devil's Footprint)"" with its connection to the legend of Onigashima and Tatsunoshima Island, which can only be visited between March and November, it has a diversity of other popular tourist spots including burial mounds, ruins, and Iki Nanasha (Seven shrines). There are also a number of annual events like the Ikinoshima Island New Year Marathon and Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine's Iki Daidai Kagura. This ancient ritual music and dance has been designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property. "
  • Unzen Nita Pass
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Unzenshi Obamachounzen 551
    "This pass is located at the center of the Shimabara Peninsula. A ropeway station near the parking lot of the Daiichi Lookout connects to the summit of Mt. Myokendake. You can get a great view of the broadleaf forest covering Mt. Fugendake, and when conditions are right between autumn and winter, you can see the Ariake Sea and Amakusa Islands poking through a sea of clouds. The seasonal views are splendid. In spring a variety of azaleas come into bloom, and in fall the maples and other trees so beautifully color the mountain that the area has been designated a National Natural Monument. In winter you might see the fantastic spectacle of hoarfrost covering the landscape known as ""hanaboro."" "
  • Abunze Lava Coast
    rating-image
    3.5
    4 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Goto-shi Nonokirecho
    "This seven-kilometer-long stretch of coastline composed of black, bare rock can be found next to the Abunze Visitor Center a 15-minute drive from Fukue Port. The attraction of the coastline is its complex geography and lines - originally a stretch of ocean, the coastline was formed when lava from volcanic Mt. Onidake cooled and hardened here. A nearby walking path is perfect for viewing the subtropical plants which grow in the area. ""Abunze"" literally means ""stirrup shoals,"" a name which is believed to be derived from an incident which occurred in 1507 when a feudal lord on the run in the area lost a stirrup here and later committed suicide."

    鐙瀬溶岩海岸近辺の地質的な話や生態系についての資料が点展示されている。各地のビジターセンターでもよく見る展示だし、日本の生態系がそうそう変わることもないので、珍しさはないだろう。溶岩海岸と合わせて、時間があれば立ち寄っても良いと思う。

  • Mt. Fugen
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Unzenshi Obamachounzen 320
    The main peak of Mt. Unzen, it is a volcano in the center of the Shimabara Peninsula. With an altitude of 1,359 meters, it was the highest peak of Mt. Unzen until Mt. Heisei-Shinzan was formed by volcanic activity from 1990 to 1995. It was designated as a restricted zone due to eruptions, but a new mountain trail was opened in May 2012, and it became possible to climb it again. From the new mountain climbing course, you can enjoy mountain climbing while looking closely at Mt. Heisei-Shinzan, which has become the highest peak in Nagasaki Prefecture.
  • Kujuku Islands
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Saseboshi
    This is the general name for the 208 islands in an area covering approximately 25 kilometers from outside Sasebo Port to Hirado. Although it has the highest island density in Japan, only four of them are inhabited, and most of the coastline is preserved as is. There is the Kujuku Island aquarium Umikirara that reproduces the sea of the Kujuku Islands, observation facilities and a cruise ship, and besides being able to come into contact with rich nature such as the complex topography of the rias coast and sea life, you can also enjoy seafood including Kujuku Island oysters and activities like sea kayaking.
  • Ikitsuki Island
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Hiradoshi Iketsu-cho
    This island is located to the northwest of Hirado Island. It is connected to Hirado Island by the Ikitsuki Ohashi Bridge, and has a population of approximately 6,000 people. Besides many Christians living there and being known as a land of martyrdom where severe repression was carried out during the period Christianity was banned, it prospered as the largest whaling base in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). At the Hirado City Ikitsuki-cho Municipal Museum Shima no Yakata, there are exhibits related to the history of the island including those on hidden Christians and whaling.
  • Ukujima
    rating-image
    5.0
    2 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Sasebo-shi Ukumachi
    Located at the northernmost tip of the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, the island is part of Sasebo City and can be reached by high-speed boat or ferry from Sasebo Port in about two hours.

    宇久平港ターミナルから徒歩5分、神島神社の裏手の高台にありました。中国風の紅色の山門をくぐり、建物の裏に周ると目標の平家一門のお墓がありました。

  • Kawachi Toge Pass
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Hiradoshi Onochou
    This is a gently sloping prairie over 6.4 times the size of Tokyo Dome occupying approximately 30 hectares. From the summit one has a view of the Ninety-Nine Islands, the Genkai Sea as well as Iki Island and Tsushima Island further away. In spring Hirado azaleas bloom profusely, in summer the grasses are a radiant green, and in autumn Japanese pampas grass covers the land as far as the eye can see. In the winter the fields are set ablaze to prevent serious fires and promote the cultivation of young grass, and many tourists come to see this spectacular sight.
  • Glass no Sunahama
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Omura-shi Morizonomachi 148
  • Monkey Rock
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Ikishi Gounourachoushindenfure 870-3
    The Saruiwa, or Monkey Rock, is a marine eroded basalt cliff 45 meters tall located on the tip of the Kurosaki Peninsula. The cliff resembles a monkey looking away and the green moss growing on it only increases the startling resemblance.
  • Shirakimine Kogen
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Isahaya-shi Shirakiminemachi
    A plateau situated along Prefectural Route 184 in Shirakimine-machi, Isahaya City. The plateau is famous for its flowers, and in spring some 100 thousand rapeseed plants come into bloom, while in autumn around 200 thousand colorful cosmos blossom. The adjoining Cosmos Flower Space Hall is equipped with a large astronomical telescope.
  • Onino Ashiato (Devil’s Footprint)
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Ikishi Gounourachouwatarahigashifure 1956-2 other
    Located in Go-no-ura-cho’s western edge at the tip of Makisaki Cape, this is a large hole 110 meters in circumference formed by coastal erosion. The open hole that is gaping wide in the natural grass-covered peninsula was called Oni-no-Ashiato (Devil’s Footprint) because the large oni Dei is said to have left this footprint behind when he tried to capture a whale and planted his legs here. This is famous as a spot for excellent fishing. Located close by is the “Gorilla Rock” that looks just like a gorilla’s side profile, and this is also a must-see.
  • Mt. Shiratake
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Tsushimashi Mitsushima
    This mountain located in Mitsushima-cho, Tsushima City is 519 meters in height, and has been believed to be a sacred mountain since ancient times. It has a virgin forest with unique and valuable vegetation with both continental and Japanese plants, and it has been designated a national natural monument as the ''Sumo Shiratake Virgin Forest.'' You can see Aso Bay and the surrounding mountains from the summit, and even the Korean peninsula depending on the weather.
  • Nakaenoshima Island
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Hiradoshi Shimonakanochou
    This uninhabited island off the coast of Hirado Island is located in Shimonakano-cho, Hirado City. It is included in ''Sacred Places in Hirado and Village,'' which forms part of the ''Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region,'' a UNESCO World Heritage. It became a holy place for the martyrdom of the Christians executed there in the early days of the prohibition on Christianity. The hidden Christians revered the island and called it by various names including ''St. John,'' and water-drawing ceremonies were held using the island's water as holy water.
  • Miuda Beach
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Tsushimashi Kamitsushimamachinishidomari
    This beach is located in Nishidomari, Kamitsushima-cho, Tsushima City. It is a beautiful beach that has been designated one of Japan's Top 100 Nagisa (beach), with emerald green seas and white sand. In addition, there are neighboring facilities such as the Miuda Campground with permanent tents, and the hot spring facility Nagisa no Yu.
  • Mt. Mitake
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Tsushimashi Kami prefecture
    This mountain is located in Kamiagata-cho, Tsushima City. It is connected to Mt. Odake, Mt. Medake and Mt. Hiradake, and is 479 meters high. It has been revered as a sacred place for mountain ascetism since ancient times. In addition, the endangered Tsushima leopard cat inhabits the mountain, and the area has been designated as a natural monument and a specific animal habitat protected forest. The white-bellied woodpecker that is now extinct in Japan once lived there.
  • Mt. Onidake
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Gotoushi Kamioduchou
    This 315-meter high mountain on Fukue Island in the Goto Islands is located in Kamiozu-cho, Goto City. Its beautiful form fully covered with grass is the symbol of the island. There is an observation point set up in at its center, and you can enjoy views of the Fukue cityscape and the surrounding islands.

Nagasaki Areas

around-area-map

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.

Nagasaki Photo Album

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