• Inasayama Observation Deck - Mount Inasa (稲佐山, Inasayama) is a 333-meter-high mountain near the center of Nagasaki.

The summit is accessible by ropeway, bus, or car and provides stunning views of the city. The night views from Mount Inasa are considered among Japan’s top three, alongside those from Mount Hakodate and Mount Rokko. The summit hosts several television and radio antennas, as well as an observation deck with a restaurant.

• Glover Garden - Glover Garden (グラバー園, Glover-en) is an open-air museum in Nagasaki showcasing the mansions of several former foreign residents and related buildings. It is situated on the hill where Western merchants settled after Japan’s era of seclusion ended in the late 19th century.

The main highlight of the garden is the Former Glover House, the oldest Western-style wooden building in Japan. Thomas Glover (1838-1911), a Scottish merchant, moved to Nagasaki after the port opened to foreign trade in 1859. He later supported revolutionaries who overthrew the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Meiji Restoration. Glover played a significant role in Japan’s early industrialization, being active in shipbuilding and mining.

• Sofukuji Temple - Sofukuji Temple (崇福寺, Sōfukuji) is a temple in Nagasaki affiliated with the Obaku school of Zen Buddhism. Built in 1629 for Nagasaki’s Chinese residents, the temple features Chinese architectural style, giving it a unique feel compared to other Japanese temples.

Sofukuji is constructed along a hillside. At the base stands the temple’s two-story entrance gate, Ryugumon (lit. Gate of the Dragon Palace), painted bright red like the rest of the temple. Originally built in 1673, the gate was destroyed multiple times by fire and storms before its latest reconstruction in 1849.

• Dejima - Dejima (出島) was an artificial island in Nagasaki’s port, created in 1636 to separate Portuguese residents from the Japanese and control their missionary activities.

A few years later, the Portuguese were expelled, and the Dutch Trading Station was relocated to Dejima. During Japan’s two centuries of isolation, the Dutch were confined to Dejima as the only Westerners allowed in the country.

Today, Dejima is no longer an island, as the surrounding area was reclaimed in the 20th century. However, many of Dejima’s historical structures remain or have been reconstructed, including residences, warehouses, walls, and gates. The ultimate goal is to restore Dejima to an island by digging canals around its four sides.

• Urakami Cathedral - Urakami Cathedral (浦上天主堂, Urakami Tenshudō) is a Catholic church in Nagasaki with a poignant history. Now a functioning church in a large, European-style, red brick building, the cathedral houses various relics that survived the atomic bombing.

The atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, nearly obliterated the church, which stood just 500 meters from the hypocenter. Charred stone saints remain in place before a ruined wall in front of the cathedral. Inside, there are other relics, including the surviving head of a Saint Mary statue and one of the church’s original bells. The modern cathedral was completed in 1959.

• Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture - Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture (長崎歴史文化博物館, Nagasaki Rekishi Bunka Hakubutsukan) is a well-designed, modern museum dedicated to Nagasaki’s history as a major international trading port in Japan. The extensive permanent exhibition spans two floors, with sections focusing on different aspects of Nagasaki’s rich history.

During the Edo Period, Japan adopted isolationism, cutting itself off from the world. Nagasaki became one of the few ports where international trade was allowed, primarily with the Chinese and Dutch. This made the city Japan’s main window to the outside world, fostering a rich economy, culture, and history.

• Catholic Oura Church - Oura Church (大浦天主堂, Ōura Tenshudō) is a Catholic church in Nagasaki. Built in 1864 by a French missionary for the growing community of foreign merchants, it is the oldest standing Christian church in Japan.

Oura Church is dedicated to the memory of the 26 Christians executed in the city in 1597. Today, the church stands as an appealing example of contemporary European architecture, attracting many visitors. It was the first Western-style building in Japan to be designated a national treasure. The admission fee includes access to a museum about the history of Christianity in Japan.

• Kofukuji Temple - Kofukuji Temple (興福寺, Kōfukuji) is the oldest and one of the most significant Chinese-founded temples in Nagasaki. Located in the Teramachi (“Temple Town”) district, it is the birthplace of the Obaku school of Zen Buddhism in Japan and boasts many intriguing features.

The temple was established around 1620 by a Chinese monk when many Chinese merchants were trading in Nagasaki. The complex was initially set up as a place to pray for the merchants’ safe sea travel, and its construction is heavily influenced by Chinese architectural styles, making it distinct from other Japanese temples.

• The Confucian Temple, the Chinese Museum of Successive Generations - Nagasaki Confucius Shrine (孔子廟, Kōshi-byō) is one of the few shrines in Japan dedicated to the esteemed Chinese philosopher Confucius. Built in 1893 by Nagasaki’s Chinese community, the colorful shrine also houses a museum at the rear.

A small garden with a bridge and pond welcomes visitors at the entrance. The ornate Chinese-style buildings feature yellow roofs. The shrine’s courtyard is flanked by 72 sages, life-size stone statues weighing around two tons each, depicting Confucius’ disciples. Visitors are encouraged to find a statue resembling a relative.

• Twenty-Six Christian Martyrs Monument - The Twenty-Six Martyrs Monument and adjacent museum (二十六聖人記念館, Nijūroku Seijin Kinenkan) in Nagasaki commemorate the 26 Christians executed on February 5, 1597, including foreign missionaries and Japanese laymen. Missionary activities were banned, and Japan’s ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi staged the execution as a warning.

The monument is in a small park on a hill near Nagasaki Station, offering pleasant views of the city. A straight red line runs from the monument across the park’s plaza towards Oura Church on the opposite side of the city. Oura Church is also dedicated to the 26 martyrs.

• Dutch Slope - The Dutch Slope (オランダ坂, Oranda-zaka) is a stone-paved street ascending a hillside in Nagasaki, where many foreign traders lived after the port opened to foreign trade in 1859. “Dutch” referred to everything Western at the time, as the Dutch were the only Westerners allowed in Japan for two centuries.

A few former residences remain, including Higashi Yamate 13, open to the public. Once home to a wealthy European family, this old Western-style house is well-preserved, with much of the original furniture and room layouts intact. An upstairs balcony offers lovely views of the area, and a cafe is located on the ground floor.

• Spectacles Bridge (Meganebashi) - Meganebashi (眼鏡橋, lit. Spectacles Bridge) is the most notable of several stone bridges spanning the Nakashima River in downtown Nagasaki. The bridge is named for its resemblance to a pair of spectacles when reflected in the river and is a popular tourist attraction, designated as an important cultural property.

Originally built in 1634, the bridge’s construction was overseen by the Chinese monk who later became the resident priest of Kofukuji Temple, located nearby. The bridge, along with others along the river, was severely damaged by floodwaters in 1982 but has been repaired with recovered stones.

A stone walkway along the riverbank offers a pleasant stroll with beautiful views of the water and bridges. The walkway has a serene atmosphere and is accessible by steps from street level at various points along the river.

• Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum - The Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum (長崎県美術館, Nagasaki-ken Bijutsukan) is a modern, spacious complex attractively situated by Nagasaki’s port. Designed by renowned architect Kuma Kengo, the museum opened in 2005 and features permanent collections of art related to Nagasaki, as well as a large collection of Spanish art. It also hosts temporary exhibitions.

• Fuel, Parking Fees, Highway Tolls
• Private transportation
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide

• Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
• Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Discover the storied past of Nagasaki through a personal tour led by a state-certified, fluent English guide. Enjoy the comfort of not stressing over travel arrangements with the inclusion of a dedicated vehicle.

Nagasaki harbors numerous significant occurrences that have left a mark on Japan’s history. As you explore, the city’s distinctive heritage and stunning visual landmarks are sure to captivate you.

• Only one reservation per group allowed. You cannot combine multiple reservations into one group.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.