Exploring Nagasaki Prefecture
Nagasaki is not typically high on the list of places to visit in Japan, for both foreign and even Japanese tourists, but, after living in the prefecture for 8 months, I would like to try to convince you to give it a shot!
By Rie
Life in Nagasaki Prefecture
I lived and worked as an English teacher in a town near Sasebo city, the 2nd largest city in the prefecture. Life was quieter and more relaxed than other cities in Japan. The people are very friendly and generally speak less English, making for a more authentic Japanese experience! In Kyushu, the temperature is generally warmer all year round, but this also means it gets very humid and hot in summer. I spent my weekends exploring Nagasaki and neighboring prefectures, going hiking, relaxing on beaches, and hitting up local izakayas. As Kyushu has so much nature, it is advisable to buy or rent a car to be able to fully explore, as some spots are very difficult to access by public transport. I didn’t have my own car, but fortunately had friends that did!
Things to Do
Nagasaki prefecture is a wonderful place to both live and visit. It is home to beautiful nature, gorgeous beaches, numerous islands, and historical cities, making it a spectacular place to explore. Here are some of the places you should visit when you come to Nagasaki prefecture.
Nagasaki city
You can’t do a trip to the prefecture without visiting the city it is named after. Nagasaki city is a beautifully quaint but incredibly vibrant city full of character and things to do. The city is built onto the mountainside, so you must be prepared for steps and uphills! Of course, Nagasaki is sadly most famous for being the site of the atomic bomb dropping during World War 2. Thus, Nagasaki has a sorrowing, but very interesting history to learn about.
Make sure you visit:
• Nagasaki peace park and the Atomic Bomb museum — The hypocentre of the atomic bombing, and museum with artifacts and photos documenting the bombing in 1945. A very important place to visit when you come to Nagasaki.
• Mount Inasa Observatory — An observation deck which gives sweeping views of Nagasaki city and surrounding islands nearby. It is claimed to have the 3rd best night view in the world!
• Shinchi Chinatown — The largest Chinatown in Japan!
• Dejima — a historical artificial island used as the Dutch trading post, built in 1636, depicting life back then.
• Meganebashi bridge — Known as the “spectacle bridge”, it is the oldest stone arch bridge in Japan, dating back to 1634.
• Koshibyo Confucious shrine — a spectacularly colorful shrine with multiple statues and Sichuan mask-changing performances.
• Dejima wharf — a beautiful promenade with cafes and restaurants by the water edge; the perfect place to watch the sunset.
• Bar Iwi — a tiny, yet always crowded international bar with a very friendly owner and cheap drinks. I made a lot of friends and memories here!
Mount Unzen and Shirahama
I climbed Mount Unzen in early February of this year, and it was beautiful. As the highest mountain in Nagasaki prefecture and an active volcano, Unzen is a wonderful spot to visit for stunning views of the coast and the steam coming from within. The area around Mount Unzen is also known for its hot springs, which you can enjoy after a long day of hiking. Shirahama is a beautiful little city on the southeastern coast of Nagasaki prefecture, home to Shirahama castle and many koi ponds. You can also take the ferry to Kumamoto from Shirahama port.
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