Nagasaki Travel Essentials

• Nagasaki's climate is humid and rainy year-round. It sees cold, rainy winters and hot, wet summers. Spring and fall are temperate with soaking rains.
• The most rainfall can be seen in June and July, averaging around 36.6 cm.
• The warmest months of the year are July and August.
• The best time to visit in terms of weather is October. The most popular time to visit is during the summer, and it gets crowded during June through August.

• Plug type: The plug type is Type A or B.
• Electricity: Electricity and current are 100 volts at 50/60 Hz.
• Currency: The currency is the Japanese yen.
• International dialling code: The international dialling code is +81.
• Emergency telephone number: For emergency telephone calls, dial 110 to reach police, 118 for the Coast Guard or 119 if you need an ambulance or need to report a fire.

Nagasaki is a teeming metropolis and one of Japan’s largest cities, which means that almost any type of transport you prefer will get you here. You can fly, take a train or even arrive via a cruise ship.

Airports

The major airport in Nagasaki is Nagasaki Airport, which is about 25 miles from the city centre and boasts connections from Tokyo, Kagoshima, Okinawa, Osaka and many other destinations both domestic and international. Buses run from the airport to Nagasaki Station, and the trip takes about an hour.

Major train stations

Nagasaki Station is the main train station in the heart of the Nagasaki city centre. JR trains run to and from Fukuoka, Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kumamoto, Oita and other major cities. Trips to and from these and other cities by train take several hours. Most major cities can be accessed, though some require connecting trains.

Ports

Nagasaki Port routinely sees cruise ships that disembark in the city centre terminal. The pier houses customs, immigration and quarantine facilities, and WiFi is available in the terminal. This is one of the primary means from which to visit the outlying islands such as Okinawa.

Travel tips

Travelling around Nagasaki requires a bit of planning and forethought. Never assume that internet access will be available; you can rent pocket WiFi devices to carry with you. Use the Hyperdia app; it’s a commuter app that provides route options, fare prices and travel times. The Nagasaki Discount Card can save you a lot of money visiting various points of interest.

Underground system

Instead of an underground system, Nagasaki has an above-ground tram system similar to cable cars you might see in some Western cities. They’re inexpensive and efficient. They can get you almost anywhere you want to go. You can also purchase day passes to allow unlimited rides for a full calendar day. Various internet apps will allow you to create a timetable to get around the city. The cars are comfortable and run on a regular schedule, so you can count on them as a means to get where you want to go.

Taxi and rideshare apps

Taxi and rideshare apps can be an outstanding way to get around while customising your journeys specifically to your needs, but without the concerns that go with a car hire such as parking and gas. Rideshares Uber and Lyft, plus Ola and Didi, operate throughout the city and can travel to and from Nagasaki Airport. Traditional taxis can also be hailed on the street or called to arrange a pickup. Taxis and rideshares are convenient ways to get around because they’re on your timetable, whatever that may be.

Bus network

Nagasaki has an extensive bus network, with multiple stops around Nagasaki Station, Chuobashi Bridge and Mirai Nagasaki Cocowalk. The main stop is the Nagasaki Shinchi Bus Terminal. If you’re travelling within the city centre, the bus is a reliable way to get around, especially when you combine it with the tram network. You can buy a day pass for the buses or purchase a refillable Nagasaki Smart-card.

Car hire

Most major car hire agencies operate in Nagasaki, and a car hire can be an ideal way to get around if you want to see things on your schedule and have the freedom to go where and when you want. Nagasaki is generally a safe place to drive yourself, and a car hire allows you to see attractions that are a bit farther afield. Just a few of the services you can secure at the airport, train station, port terminal or various spots across the city include Hertz, Turo, Alamo and Budget.

Bicycle hire

Bicycles are very popular in Japan, and pedalling around can be a great way to see Nagasaki and the surrounding areas. They’re also a good way to go green, do your part for the environment and get some exercise all while exploring the countryside. A broad selection of bike hire services can be found across the city. 2 of the most popular include Bicycle Rental Seto, or Rentsaikuru Seto, and the Cycling Center, or Saikuringusentá.

Nagasaki Lantern Festival

• When: Held every January
• What: The Nagasaki Lantern Festival commemorates the Chinese New Year and celebrates the illumination of winter over 2 weeks, with the lighting of more than 15,000 Chinese lanterns, plus a procession, parade, dragon and lion dances, acrobatics and live music.
• Where: Chinatown, Hama-ichi and Kankodori Arcade, plus other venues across the city

Nagasaki Kunchi Festival

• When: Held every October
• What: The Nagasaki Kunchi Festival incorporates the Chinese and Dutch cultures that have played a role in the city’s cultural history over the past 400 years. Highlights include dance and live performances from representatives of the various city districts.
• Where: Suwa Shrine, Otabisho, Yasaka Shrine and Chuo Koen

Kanoukaen

• When: Held annually in late March
• What: Kanoukaen is a massive fire festival that reenacts the tales told by historical scrolls. It features around 200 performers dressed in samurai regalia marching through the trees that are brilliant with cherry blossoms, holding flaming torches.
• Where: Tachibana Park

Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Memorial

The Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims remembers those who died in the bombing that ended World War II. It’s a stone’s throw from the urban Peace Park and is next to the Atomic Bomb Museum. The 3 sites form an important part of Nagasaki’s historic legacy.

Hashima Island

Hashima Island is an abandoned mining facility that is also called Battleship Island or Gunkanjima. Visitors can tour overgrown industrial sites, workers’ quarters, concrete ruins and an eerie staircase known as the 'Stairway to Hell'. At the centre, a quiet Shinto shrine offers stunning views of the East China Sea.

Shimabara Castle

Shimabara Castle is also known as Takaki Castle and Moritake Castle. It’s a five-storey building whose white walls tower above Shimabara, Hizen Province. It features moats, 3 baileys and construction far larger than that of a normal daimyo of the Edo period. Tours are available that showcase the castle’s storied history.

Mount Inasa Viewpoint

Mount Inasa is a hill to the west of the city rising 333 metres into the sky, and the summit is reached via the Nagasaki Ropeway. The viewpoint offers astonishing views of the city below and the surrounding area. Access is completely free and features a restaurant and a souvenir shop.