Nagasaki Hotels

The brighter side of Nagasaki starts at Glover Garden, a fetching park area home to the incongruously Western Glover Mansion. The Confucius Shrine is just as famous, and the world’s only Confucian shrine built outside China with Chinese hands. Even the land it sits on is technically Chinese territory. So now you’re as confused about the terrain as you are sad about the history? Head to Chinatown to drown your sorrows in a steaming bowl of Nagasaki champon noodles, the city’s tastiest attraction.

Nagasaki's Top 10

Nagasaki History

• Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum - As Nagasaki was one of the two cities hit by the atomic bomb in World War II, this museum shows us the destruction and the rebuilding of the city.
• Dejima - During the age of isolation, this island was constructed to hold Dutch workers. It now has a museum and historical buildings.
• Oka Masaharu Memorial Nagasaki Peace Museum - This museum is dedicated to Oka Masaharu, a crusader who was determined to make Japan acknowledge its war crimes.
• Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture - There is an exhibit about the bomb, but also the history and culture of the city.
• Nagasaki Kameyama Shachu - A museum concerning the Ryoma.

Nagasaki Arts & Culture

• Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum - The building is as interesting as the art inside.
• Nagasaki Museum of Traditional Performing Arts - Here you can see the dance and the music of traditional Japan.
• Museum of Shusaku Endo Literature - Offers a fascinating look at this literature.
• Sōfuku-ji - This Zen temple was built in 1629 and features a huge cauldron, which was used to feed the people.
• Dutch Slopes - This street features many restored Old Dutch buildings from when the Dutch had a presence in the city.

Nagasaki Shopping

• Kinokuniya - This bookstore in Nagasaki has hundreds of titles in both English and Japanese. You will also find a collection of music and movies.
• Daikoku-machi - Shop for local arts and crafts.
• Bunmeido Sohonten - This specialty shop is known for it sponge cake.
• Amu Plaza Nagasaki - This mall has shops, a food court and supermarket and is attached to the Nagasaki Train Station.
• Mirai Nagasaki Coco Walk - In addition to the shopping, this place is fun just to explore.

Gay & Lesbian Nagasaki

• Ban Ban - A gay bar in the Nagasaki area.
• Sympathy - A gay venue that features live entertainment and events.
• Nagasaki Washington Hotel - This is a gay-friendly hotel in Nagasaki.
• Inasayama Kanko Hotel - Another gay -friendly hotel in Nagasaki that is very popular.
• Kiraku-Kaisan - This is a gay bathhouse and sauna.

Nagasaki Events

The Nagasaki Lantern Festival celebrates the beginning of the Lunar New Year in February with colourful lanterns, pounding drums and ear-splitting fireworks.

The sky comes alive more quietly for April’s Nagasaki Kite Competition, hosted at Tohakkei Park.

The O-Bon is a Buddhist tradition in July that welcomes and appeases the souls of ancestors. Apparently the ancestors are really into fresh fruit and veg.

October’s Nagasaki Kunchi Festival brings traditional music and dance to the Suwa Shrine. There’s also a big parade (naturally) with floats, flowers and costumes.

One of the most emotional events on the city’s calendar is August’s Nagasaki Peace Ceremony. This solemn tradition pays tribute to all those who lost their lives in the blast, with a secondary, significant aim of promoting world peace.

When To Go

• Visiting Nagasaki in June is a rather drizzly experience. This is the city’s wettest month.
• Nagasaki’s warmer seasons are lovely, with temperatures around 22°C (72°F) in spring and 29°C (85°F) in summer.
• Nagasaki is cold in winter, but not torturingly so. Temperatures stick to just below freezing.

Getting Around

• Buses and trams/streetcars are convenient, cheap (a flat ¥120) and efficient, but stop running at around 11pm.
• Taxis are plentiful but a little expensive. However, they are definitely the best way to get around for night owls.
• More adventurous travellers may want to hire an electric bike. The rates are pretty reasonable and they can be found at several places around the city.

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