Day 1 in Nagasaki

Welcome to Nagasaki! Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

We recommend you get acquainted with the city, wander around the city center which is filled with plenty of sights and attractions to explore, including Chinatown, where you will find over 50 different restaurants where you can sample the city`s most celebrated dishes, `champon` and `saraudon`(pork, noodles and vegetables in a tasty broth). Stroll along the narrow streets of Chinatown and do some shopping or visit the temples found here.

Visit Dejima, a small artificial island in the Nagasaki Port which was the originally constructed in the early 1600`s as a foreign trading post for the Dutch. There are 17 historical buildings on the island that have been restored and the Dejima Museum, take some time to see the museum and the old Dutch style buildings located here.

Make your way to the Dutch Slopes, the scenic sloping street is found in the Higashi Yamate area lined with wooden Dutch-style houses, museums and Japan`s first Protestant Church of England. This charming area was once home to many foreign traders, during Nagasaki`s foreign trading period during the early 19th century. You can visit the Higashi Yamate 13 House which is open to the public and was once the home of a wealthy European family featuring well-preserved rooms, a balcony with great views and a café on site. Stop in and enjoy some refreshments and a snack before heading to Glover Gardens.

Glover Garden is the location of the home of the late Scottish merchant Thomas Blake Glover, who established his estate on top of the Minami-Yamate hill. Glover built Japan`s first railway and helped establish the shipbuilding industry. The area features a collection of charming homes, an open-air museum and breathtaking gardens that have been nicknamed `Madame Butterfly` as the house and surrounding area are reminiscent of Puccini`s Opera. Take some time to enjoy the scenic surroundings and the magical views of the harbor below, the gardens are especially enchanting at nighttime when thousands of fairy lights illuminate the area.

Grab some dinner in the Chinatown area at one of the many restaurants that fill the streets. This is a picturesque location during the evening time with traditional vermillion gates and glowing Chinese lanterns and an authentic vibrant atmosphere with plenty of entertainment for a fun evening out on the town.

Day 2 in Nagasaki

Start your day with a walk around Nagasaki`s Peace Park, this large memorial park commemorates the victims of the atomic bombing in 1945. The park is a bustling area in the city filled with memorials, statues, and museums such as the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Hall and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Take your time and wander around the park which is especially beautiful during the springtime filled with vibrant cherry blossoms, see the Peace Fountain and The Peace Statue and visit one of the Museums.

We recommend the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial for the Atomic Bomb Victims, a beautiful and solemn space for visitors to mourn the victims. The main hall features 12 glass pillars containing the names of the victims, 73,884 people were killed during the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and 74,909 were injured or left with radiation-related illnesses. There is an upper level with a sculptured water basin and an underground atrium and prayer room.

Not far from the park is the neighborhood of Hamanomachi, the main shopping district in the city boasting a huge collection of over 700 stores in an outdoor shopping strip. There are offers plenty of dining options including sushi, ramen, Italian and western cuisine. Spend some time shopping here for the perfect souvenir and enjoy some lunch.

Make your way across the Uragami River to the Nagasaki Ropeway, and take the cable car journey up Mount Inasa. As you rise up the mountainside, enjoy the wonderful scenery and sights of the city below as you reach 1,093 at the summit. Mount Inasa Park lies in the Inasa Mountain ranges, the park is popular with the locals and its beautiful display of azaleas in the springtime. Check out the glass-enclosed observation deck and enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of Nagasaki and the harbor.

Enjoy dinner on the mountaintop at the `Restaurant of Lights` which offers local cuisine and breathtaking views. After dinner soak up the sights from one of Japan`s three best night view locations, the mountain is known as the location with a `10 Million Dollar Night View` with views of the sparkling city below.

Day 3 in Nagasaki

Today do some temple hopping! The city is filled with beautiful temples that are worth exploring. Most notable are The Kofukuji and Sofukuji Temples, both Buddhist temples that belong to the Obaku school of Zen Buddhism in Japan. The ornate temples feature a unique Chinese-style architecture and spectacular grounds with halls, statues, and Chinese-style gardens. Wander around both locations and connect with your inner Zen in the cultural, peaceful surroundings.

Not far from the temples is the Megane Bashi Bridge, or `Spectacles Bridge` as it looks like a pair of spectacles reflecting in the river. The bridge spans over the Nakashima River and was established in 1634 by Mozi, a Chinese monk from the Kofukuji Temple. It is Japan`s oldest bridge, made of stone and featuring double arches. Take a stroll along the river and cross over the bridge, there are many restaurants, cafes ice cream and pastry shops set along the riverbanks, enjoy some lunch and a sweet treat and take some pictures.

On your last evening in the city of Nagasaki head to Dejima Wharf, this beautiful harborside location offers a boardwalk filled with waterfront restaurants, bars, and shops along with entertainment including a movie theatre and a Ferris Wheel. The area is well worth a visit in the evening time and offers many places to sit back and relax with views of the sea.

Additional Days in Nagasaki

Should you be able to spend additional days in Nagasaki spend a weekend in Huis Ten Bosch, this spectacular them park area is filled with hotels, restaurants, museums and picturesque canals all set in a Dutch-themed town. The resort area replicates the Netherlands and features two zones offering plenty of activities and attractions, thousands of flowers fill the island year round and many festivals take place here including the Tulip Festival and The Kingdom of Lights which is the world`s largest illumination show.

Travel to Hashima Island also known as `Battleship Island` due to its shape. The 16-acre island was abandoned in the 1970`s after the coal mines here closed down. It was dedicated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 and was the location of scenes for the James Bond Skyfall Movie shot there in 2012.

Your Last Day in Nagasaki

Depart from your hotel to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer to the airport if so the representative will meet you at your hotel with plenty of time to get you to the airport for your flight out.