Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

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Explore Nagasaki with a government-licensed and experienced English-speaking guide! Your guide will help you efficiently enjoy a full-day walking tour of Nagasaki and introduce both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic and ancient Japanese city. Your guide will meet you at your hotel in Nagasaki and take you to visit Nagasaki’s famous sites. Along with atomic bombing of Nagasaki during WWII, this city’s history features many prominent events. You can learn about this and other interesting aspects during this full-day walking tour accompanied by your private guide.

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Highlights

  • Explore Nagasaki in 6 hours!

  • Choose 3-4 sites from the list to customize your own itinerary!

  • Guided by english speaking guide!

  • Duration

    6 hours

  • Offered in

    English

What is included

  • Licensed Local English Speaking Guide

  • Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from the list

  • Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Nagasaki

What is not included

  • Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses

  • Private Vehicle

  • You cannot combine multiple tour groups.

  • Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

ITINERARY

What To Expect

Explore a historic city of Nagasaki in just 6 hours! Choose 3 to 4 sites from the list to customize your own itinerary and make the most of your time. Whether you're interested in learning about the region's rich history, experiencing beautiful views, or immersing yourself in local culture, you can craft a personalized journey that matches your interests. Tailor your day to your pace, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience as you uncover the highlights of this remarkable location.

You can choose 3-4 sites from the list below!

Nagasaki Peace Park
The Nagasaki Peace Park (平和公園, Heiwa Kōen) is a tranquil space that commemorates the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, which destroyed a significant portion of the city and killed tens of thousands of inhabitants. The complex is comprised of two parks and a memorial museum. In the center of the complex is the Hypocenter Park with a simple, black monolith that marks the explosion's epicenter. Not far from it stands a damaged pillar of the former Urakami Cathedral which was destroyed in the blast. Furthermore, there is an area that allows visitors to take a look at a layer of soil below the park's surface where broken roof tiles, bricks and pieces of glass remain from the explosion.

Mount Inasa
Mount Inasa (稲佐山, Inasayama) is a 333-meter-high mountain close to Nagasaki's city center. The summit can be reached by ropeway, bus or car and offers great views over the city. In fact, the night views from Mount Inasa are ranked among Japan's three best night views besides the views from Mount Hakodate and Mount Rokko. Several television and radio antennas and an observation deck with restaurant are located at the summit.

Glover Garden
Glover Garden (グラバー園, Glover-en) is an open-air museum in Nagasaki that exhibits mansions of several of the city's former foreign residents and related buildings. It is located on the hill where Western merchants settled down after the end of Japan's era of seclusion in the second half of the 19th century. The main attraction of the garden is the Former Glover House, the oldest Western-style wooden building in Japan. Thomas Glover (1838-1911) was a Scottish merchant who moved to Nagasaki after the opening of its port to foreign trade in 1859. He later assisted some of the revolutionaries who would eventually overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate in the Meiji Restoration. Active in various industries, including shipbuilding and mining, Glover features prominently in the early history of Japan's industrialization.

Sofukuji Temple
Sofukuji Temple (崇福寺, Sōfukuji) is a temple in Nagasaki belonging to the Obaku school of Zen Buddhism. Originally built in 1629 for Nagasaki's Chinese residents, the temple is constructed in a Chinese architectural style and feels somewhat different to other temples in Japan. Sofukuji is built along the slope of a hill. At the bottom stands the temple's two-stories tall entrance gate, Ryugumon (lit. Gate of the Dragon Palace). Like the rest of the temple, it is painted bright red. The gate was originally built in 1673, but was destroyed several times by fire and storms before the most recent reconstruction was completed in 1849.

Dejima
Dejima (出島) was a man-made island in the port of Nagasaki, constructed in 1636 to segregate Portuguese residents from the Japanese population and control their missionary activities. A few years later, the Portuguese were expelled from Japan, and the Dutch Trading Station, formerly located in Hirado, was moved to Dejima. The Dutch were restricted to Dejima during Japan's two centuries of isolation as the only remaining Westerners allowed in the country. Today, Dejima is not an island anymore, as the surrounding area has been reclaimed in the 20th century. However, a number of Dejima's historical structures remain or have been reconstructed in the area, including various residences, warehouses, walls and gates. The ultimate goal is to convert Dejima back into an island by digging canals around all its four sides.

Urakami Cathedral
Urakami Cathedral (浦上天主堂, Urakami Tenshudō) is a Catholic church in Nagasaki with a tragic yet interesting history. Today a working church housed in a large, European-style, red brick building, the cathedral is home to various relics that survived the atomic bombing. The atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, and almost completely destroyed the church which stood only 500 meters from the hypocenter. A group of charred stone saints were left in place and still stand before a decimated wall in front of the cathedral. There are also other relics inside, including the surviving head of a Saint Mary statue recovered after the blast, and one of the church's original bells. The modern incarnation of the cathedral was completed in 1959. Another intriguing facet of the cathedral's history dates back to its origins. Construction began on the complex in 1895 on the very ground where picture trampling ceremonies had previously been carried out in an attempt to root out Christianity during the era when the religion was prohibited in Japan. In those ceremonies, people were coerced into trampling on biblical images in order to expose secret Christians. The church was then erected here as a message of resilience.

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-executed, modern museum dedicated to Nagasaki's history as one of Japan's major international trading ports. The fairly large, permanent exhibition is spread over two floors and is comprised of various sections, each focusing on a different facet of Nagasaki's rich history. During the Edo Period the Japanese government adopted isolationism, effectively cutting the country off from the rest of the world. At this time, Nagasaki became one of the only ports where international trade was permitted, namely with the Chinese and Dutch. This temporarily made the city Japan's main window to the outside world and allowed a rich economy, culture and history to flourish.

Kofukuji Temple
Kofukuji Temple (興福寺, Kōfukuji) is the oldest and one of the most important Chinese-founded temples in Nagasaki. Located in the city's Teramachi ("Temple Town") district, it is the birthplace of the Obaku school of Zen Buddhism in Japan and has many interesting features. The temple was established around 1620 by a Chinese monk at a time when large numbers of Chinese merchants were coming to Nagasaki to trade. The complex was originally set up as a place to pray for safe sea travel for the merchants, and the construction is heavily influenced by Chinese architectural styles, making it feel different to other temples in Japan. The temple grounds contain a number of buildings, including the main hall, originally built in 1632, which serves as a fine example of Chinese-style architecture of the time. A celebrated, large glass lantern imported from China, hangs from the roof of the main hall. There are various other interesting halls and structures around the grounds with explanatory signs in English.

Nagasaki Confucius Shrine
Nagasaki Confucius Shrine (孔子廟, Kōshi-byō) is one of only a handful of shrines dedicated to the revered Chinese philosopher Confucius in Japan. The shrine was built in 1893 by Nagasaki's Chinese community. The colorful, atmospheric shrine also contains a museum at the rear of the grounds. A small garden with a bridge and pond greets visitors at the entrance. The ornate Chinese-style buildings are adorned with yellow roofs. Flanking the shrine's courtyard stand the 72 sages, life-size stone statues that weigh around two tons each and depict Confucius' disciples. The shrine encourages visitors to find among the statues one that resembles a relative.

Oura Church
Oura Church (大浦天主堂, Ōura Tenshudō) is a Catholic church in Nagasaki. Built towards the end of the Edo Period in 1864 by a French missionary for the growing community of foreign merchants in the city, it is considered the oldest standing Christian church in Japan. Oura Church is dedicated to the memory of the 26 Christians who were executed in the city in 1597. Today, the working church stands as an attractive example of contemporary European architecture, drawing many visitors. The church was the first Western style building in Japan to be designated as a national treasure. The steep admission fee includes entrance to a museum about the history of Christianity in Japan. Located in attractive old buildings to the right of the church is the Christian Museum. Included in the admission fee, the museum contains various exhibitions pertaining to the history of Oura Church and Christianity in the region and across Japan, with various artifacts and old documents on display. Explanations are predominantly in Japanese.

Nagasaki Confucius Shrine
Nagasaki Confucius Shrine (孔子廟, Kōshi-byō) is one of only a handful of shrines dedicated to the revered Chinese philosopher Confucius in Japan. The shrine was built in 1893 by Nagasaki's Chinese community. The colorful, atmospheric shrine also contains a museum at the rear of the grounds. A small garden with a bridge and pond greets visitors at the entrance. The ornate Chinese-style buildings are adorned with yellow roofs. Flanking the shrine's courtyard stand the 72 sages, life-size stone statues that weigh around two tons each and depict Confucius' disciples. The shrine encourages visitors to find among the statues one that resembles a relative.

Oura Church
Oura Church (大浦天主堂, Ōura Tenshudō) is a Catholic church in Nagasaki. Built towards the end of the Edo Period in 1864 by a French missionary for the growing community of foreign merchants in the city, it is considered the oldest standing Christian church in Japan. Oura Church is dedicated to the memory of the 26 Christians who were executed in the city in 1597. Today, the working church stands as an attractive example of contemporary European architecture, drawing many visitors. The church was the first Western style building in Japan to be designated as a national treasure. The steep admission fee includes entrance to a museum about the history of Christianity in Japan. Located in attractive old buildings to the right of the church is the Christian Museum. Included in the admission fee, the museum contains various exhibitions pertaining to the history of Oura Church and Christianity in the region and across Japan, with various artifacts and old documents on display.

Twenty-Six Martyrs Monument
The Twenty-Six Martyrs Monument and adjacent museum (二十六聖人記念館, Nijūroku Seijin Kinenkan) in Nagasaki are dedicated to the twenty-six Christians who were executed here on February 5, 1597. They included both foreign missionaries and Japanese laymen. Missionary activities were prohibited at the time, and Japan's ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi staged the execution as a warning. The monument is located in a small park on a hill not far from Nagasaki Station and offers nice views over the city. A straight red line runs from the monument across the park's plaza in the direction of the Oura Church on the opposite side of the city. Oura Church is also dedicated to the 26 martyrs. The museum behind the monument is devoted to the memory of the martyrs and to Christianity in Japan in general. Its interior is reminiscent of a church with stained-glass windows, making for atmospheric viewing of the exhibits. On display are artifacts related to Christianity in Japan, including old documents, statues and jewelry. Explanations of many of the pieces are in English.

The Dutch Slope
The Dutch Slope (オランダ坂, Oranda-zaka) is a stone-paved street leading up a hillside in Nagasaki where many foreign traders resided after the opening of the city's port to foreign trade in 1859. Because the Dutch were the only Westerners allowed in the country for the preceding two centuries, "Dutch" referred to everything Western for a while. A few former residences remain in the area today. Among them, the Higashi Yamate 13 is open to the public. Once home to a well-to-do European family, this old Western-style house has been well preserved, with much of the old furniture and room layouts remaining. There is a balcony upstairs where nice views can be had of the surrounding area. A cafe is located on the ground floor.

Meganebashi
Meganebashi (眼鏡橋, lit. Spectacles Bridge) is the most remarkable of several stone bridges that span the Nakashima River in downtown Nagasaki. The bridge, which gets its name from the resemblance it has to a pair of spectacles when reflected in the river water, is a popular tourist attraction and is designated as an important cultural property. The bridge was originally built in 1634, its construction overseen by the Chinese monk who would go on to become the resident priest of Kofukuji Temple, which is located a short walk away. The bridge, along with many of the others along the river, was badly damaged by floodwaters in 1982, but has since been repaired with recovered stones. There is a stone walkway along the riverbank that makes for a pleasant stroll with nice views of the water and bridges. The walkway has a tranquil atmosphere and is accessed by steps from street level positioned 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 and spacious complex attractively located by the port of Nagasaki. The museum, which was designed by famous architect Kuma Kengo, opened in 2005 and contains permanent collections of art related to Nagasaki as well as a large collection of Spanish art. In addition, it also hosts temporary exhibitions. Made using glass and rock, the museum is airy and bright and contains multiple exhibition galleries. The Suma Collection features Spanish art ranging from medieval to contemporary works and contains pieces from legendary artists including Picasso. It is named after Suma Yakichiro who started the collection while serving as a diplomat in Spain during the 1940s. Another collection is dedicated to art relating to Nagasaki, including works produced by local artists. One more appealing feature of the museum is its roof garden. The garden is made up of lawn space separated by a paved walkway. There are also a couple of seating areas with nice views of the port and city. The roof garden can be accessed from both inside and outside the museum, meaning that it is not exclusively open to museum patrons.




















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