Speaking of Nagasaki, many people only remember it as a city that was bombed during World War II. However, Nagasaki is one of Japan's earliest trading cities, and it has a long history of blending local and international influences, making it a charming destination.
Today, we Japan RAR recommend nighttime attractions in Nagasaki, such as Huis Ten Bosch, which is illuminated year-round, the lantern-lit view of Shimabara Castle within the city, and the famous Spectacles Bridge, named after its reflection in the river.
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Huis Ten Bosch (ハウステンボス)
"Huis Ten Bosch (ハウステンボス)" is a sprawling leisure destination covering 1.52 million square meters, making it Japan's largest independent theme park. It features beautiful gardens that host year-round light shows and recreates Dutch street scenes, making it an excellent location for nighttime excursions.
After sunset, the park is beautifully illuminated, allowing visitors to enjoy the shimmering night views. There are also many Instagram-worthy spots, such as Umbrella Street, where the lighting changes seasonally. The park's operating hours may vary depending on the season and day of the week but typically extend until 9:00 or 10:00 in the evening.
- Huis Ten Bosch (ハウステンボス)
- Address: 1-1 Huis Ten Bosch Machi, Sasebo, Nagasaki 859-3243 Google Map
- Access: From JR Huis Ten Bosch Station, it's about a 5-minute walk.
- Business Hours: Please confirm on this page.
- Official Website: https://www.huistenbosch.co.jp/
Shimabara Castle (島原城)
Shimabara Castle (島原城) was constructed by Matsukura Shigemasa and completed in 1624. Unfortunately, the castle was abandoned during the Meiji period. However, the 'Nishitetsu' was restored in 1960, and the five-story main keep was restored in 1964. Inside the main keep, you can find a wealth of Christian and local historical information. It is open to the public as a museum exhibition.
During the 'Shimabara Castle Night Camp' event, the opening hours are from 18:30 to 21:00 (last entry at 20:30). You can enter the castle during these hours. The event takes place on specific dates and every Saturday from April to September. Visitors can experience a unique walk in the dimly lit castle using minimal flashlight illumination.
- Shimabara Castle (島原城)
- Address: 1 Chome-1183-1 Jonai, Shimabara, Nagasaki 855-0036 Google Map
- Access: 1. JR Nagasaki Station → Isahaya Station, 10 minutes. 2. Isahaya Station → Shimabara Station, 1 hour and 12 minutes. 3. It's about a 5-minute walk from Shimabara Station.
- Price: Adults: ￥550 / Children, Middle School, and High School Students: ￥280
- Business Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (Last Entry at 5:00 PM)
- Official Website: https://shimabarajou.com/
Nagasaki Megane Bridge (ながさき女神大橋)
This bridge is located on a toll road that connects the southern and western parts of Nagasaki City. It is a cable-stayed bridge with a suspended beam and is the sixth longest cable-stayed bridge in Japan. The main span of the bridge is installed at an approximate height of 65 meters above sea level.
The nightly light show held here is truly spectacular, and it was designated as a "Japan Night View Heritage" in 2013. The lighting takes place from sunset until 11:00 PM every day. When events are held around Nagasaki Port, special lighting can be enjoyed until 9:00 PM.
- Nagasaki Megane Bridge (ながさき女神大橋)
- Address: 6 Nishidomarimachi, Nagasaki, 850-0075 Google Map
Meganebashi Bridge (眼鏡橋)
Meganebashi Bridge (眼鏡橋) was constructed in 1634 by Monk Mokushin of Koofukuji Temple. It is 22 meters long, 3.65 meters wide, and stands 5.46 meters above the river's surface. This bridge is renowned as Japan's first arched stone bridge. Its name, "Spectacles Bridge," is derived from the fact that its shape resembles a pair of spectacles when spanning across the river.
The entire bridge is illuminated from sunset until 10:00 PM, and as night falls, the reflection on the river becomes more pronounced, offering a truly mesmerizing view of the bridge.
- Meganebashi Bridge (眼鏡橋)
- Address: Uonomachi, Nagasaki, 850-0874 Google Map
- Access:
- Get off at the tram stop 'Meganebashi' and walk for 2 minutes.
- For Nagasaki buses, get off at 'Chuo Koen Mae' or for the Prefectural bus, get off at 'Shinwa Ginko Mae,' and walk for 2 minutes.
- Official Website: https://www.city.nagasaki.lg.jp/shimin/190001/192001/p000713.html
Mt. Inasayama Observatory (稲佐山展望台)
Mt. Inasayama Observatory (稲佐山展望台) is a fantastic spot for viewing the night skyline of Nagasaki City. It is renowned as one of the "New Three Major Night Views of the World" and is said to be worth 10 million US dollars. You can reach the mountaintop via a cable car or a slope car. At an elevation of 333 meters, similar to Tokyo Tower's height, there is a cylindrical-shaped observatory that offers a panoramic view of Nagasaki's night scene, with lights spreading out like a cascade.
The cable car/slope car and the observatory are open until 10:00 PM, but the rooftop observatory is open 24 hours a day. Inasayama's mountaintop can be reached by car, so it's expected to be congested on weekends and during holidays. It is advisable to drive to the rooftop observatory after the regular operating hours to avoid the crowds.
- Mt. Inasayama Observatory (稲佐山展望台)
- Address: 〒852-8011 Nagasaki, Ohamamachi, 364 稲佐山公園 Google Map
- Access: From Nagasaki Station, take Nagasaki Bus Route 5 heading towards Inasayama. Get off at the last stop "Inasayama Bus Stop"
- Cable car fees：
- Adults: Round-trip ￥1,250, One-way ￥730
- Middle and High School Students: Round-trip ￥940, One-way ￥520
- Elementary School Students and Young Children: Round-trip ￥620, One-way ￥410
- Official Website: https://www.inasayama.com/
Kazagashira Park (風頭公園)
This park is located atop Mt. Kazagashira at an altitude of approximately 152 meters, overlooking Nagasaki Harbor. It has become a popular attraction for fans of Sakamoto Ryoma due to the presence of his statue. Kazagashira Park is also known for its famous cherry blossoms and hydrangea viewing spots.
The park also features two observatories, making it a popular spot for overlooking Nagasaki Harbor and the city's nighttime skyline. Across Nagasaki Harbor, you can also enjoy views of the night scenery from the opposite side at Inasayama.
- Kazagashira Park (風頭公園)
- Address: 3 Chome-4-510 Irabayashi, Nagasaki, 850-0802 Google Map
- Access: On Nagasaki Station take a Nagasaki bus heading towards Kazagashira. It will take 20 minutes to reach Kazagashira Bus Stop, then it's a 5-minute walk to Kazagashira Park.
- Official Website: https://www.city.nagasaki.lg.jp/sumai/630000/632000/p010158.html
Ōura Cathedral (大浦天主堂)
Ōura Cathedral (大浦天主堂) is Japan's oldest wooden church, constructed in 1864 for foreign residents. It was designated a National Treasure in 1933 but suffered damage to the main altar when the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki City. After restoration in 1953, it was once again designated as a National Treasure. It is also one of the component properties of the World Heritage Site "Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region," which was recognized in 2018.
Visiting hours inside the church are until 18:00 (with the reception and last entry at 17:30). However, the church is illuminated every evening from sunset until 22:00. The pitch-black church looks particularly beautiful under the glow of the lights during this time.
- Ōura Cathedral (大浦天主堂)
- Address: 5-3 Minamiyamatemachi, Nagasaki, 850-0931 Google Map
- Access:
- Take the Nagasaki City Tram Line 1 (toward Shōfukuji) for 10 minutes to reach the "Ōura Tenshudo" stop and walk for 5 minutes.
- If you're taking the Nagasaki bus, get off at the "Ōura Tenshudo Shita" stop and walk for about 5 minutes.
- Official Website: https://www.city.nagasaki.lg.jp/sumai/630000/632000/p010158.html
Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum (長崎県美術館)
The Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum is located within the Nagasaki Seaside Forest Park and features exhibitions of contemporary Spanish art and works related to Nagasaki. The museum is open until 20:00, so visiting in the evening is recommended.
The Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum also has a rooftop garden where you can enjoy panoramic views of Nagasaki Harbor. In the evening, you can also gaze at the Meganebashi (Spectacles Bridge) and Inasayama from there. Even after the museum is closed, the museum's lights are on until 10:00 PM, so it's recommended to take a stroll around the museum area from Nagasaki Harbor.
- Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum (長崎県美術館)
- Address: 2-1 Dejimamachi, Nagasaki, 850-0862 Google Map
- Access:
- Tram: Take the National Route 1 tram line (from Akasaka to Sōfukuji) and get off at the "Dejima" stop, then walk for 3 minutes.
- Prefectural/ Nagasaki Bus: Get off at the "Shinchi Chinatown" stop and walk for 5 minutes.
- JR Shinkansen (Nagasaki Line): Disembark at Nagasaki Station and walk for 15 minutes.
- Price: Adult: ￥420 / University Students: ￥310 / Elementary, Middle, and High School Students: ￥210
- Business Hours：10：00～20：00
- Close Days: Every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month (If Monday is a holiday, it will be closed on Tuesday), December 29th to January 1st
- Official Website: http://www.nagasaki-museum.jp/
Glover Garden (グラバー園)
Glover Garden is the former residence of Thomas Blake Glover, a Scottish merchant who made significant contributions to the modernization of Japan. The old Glover Residence within the park is one of the components of the World Heritage Site "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution" and is Japan's oldest wooden Western-style building, constructed in 1863.
Depending on the season, Glover Garden may stay open until 9:30 PM in the evening. Due to its hilltop location, visitors can enjoy nighttime views and the park's illumination during these extended hours.
- Glover Garden (グラバー園)
- Address: 8-1 Minamiyamatemachi, Nagasaki, 850-0931 Google Map
- Access: Take Tram Line 5 and get off at either the "Ōura Tenshudo" stop, then walk for 7 minutes, or the "Ishibashi" stop, then walk for 3 minutes.
- Price: Adults: ￥620 / High School Students: ￥310 / Elementary and Middle School Students: ￥180
- Business Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, (last entry at 5:40 PM)
- Official Website: https://glover-garden.jp/
Mt. Nabekanmuri Park (鍋冠山公園展望台)
Mt. Nabekanmuri Park, with an elevation of 169 meters, is about a 10-minute walk from Glover Garden's Second Entrance. Due to renovations in 2016, the park's observation space has expanded by about four times. Visitors can now enjoy panoramic views of Nagasaki Harbor and also see tourist attractions such as the old Glover Residence and Battleship Island from this vantage point.
While Mt. Nabekanmuri Park's elevation is only about half of Inasayama's 333 meters, it offers a close-up view of the city's nighttime skyline. When cruise ships enter Nagasaki Harbor, you can witness the spectacle of the ships passing under the illuminated Meganebashi (Spectacles Bridge). The observatory is open 24 hours a day, allowing visitors to enjoy Nagasaki's night views even in the late hours.
- Mt. Nabekanmuri Park (鍋冠山公園展望台)
- Address: 2 Chome-17-１４４−１他 Izumo, Nagasaki, 850-0924 Google Map
- Access:
- By Bus: Take the Nagasaki Bus "Kaifu-go" (海風号) heading towards "Nihonmatsu Danchi" (二本松団地) from Nagasaki Shinchi Terminal Bus Stop, It's a 20-minute ride. Get off at "Nihonmatsu Danchi" and then walk for about 15 minutes.
- By Tram: From the "Ishibashi" tram stop, it's about a 2-minute walk. From Glover Garden's Second Entrance, it's about a 10-minute walk.
- Official Website: https://www.city.nagasaki.lg.jp/sumai/630000/632000/p010334.html
Yumihari Park Observation Deck (弓張岳展望台)
Yumihari Park Observation Deck (弓張岳展望台) is one of the most beautiful spots in Sasebo, offering panoramic views of Sasebo City, Sasebo Port, and the 99 Islands. To the west, you can see the Goto Sea and the 99 Islands, to the south lies the deep bay of Sasebo Port, and to the east, there's a beautiful cityscape. It offers spectacular views during the day, and it's equally popular as a nighttime scenic spot due to its stunning evening vistas.
- Yumihari Park Observation Deck (弓張岳展望台)
- Address: Onocho, Sasebo, Nagasaki 858-0965 Google Map
- Access: Take a bus heading towards "弓張岳展望台" (Yumihari Park Observation Deck), get off at the last bus stop then take a 25-minute walk to the observatory.
- Official Website: https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/guide/265
More Recommendations for Nagasaki Trips:
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