Nagasaki, Core city in Kyushu Island, Japan
Nagasaki is a harbor city on Kyushu Island that spreads across steep hills surrounding a sheltered bay. Modern neighborhoods sit near the waterfront, while residential quarters climb the slopes and narrow roads connect the levels.
The city served from the 16th to the 19th century as the only Japanese port open to European traders, resulting in strong Portuguese and Dutch influences. In August 1945 it was destroyed by an atomic bomb, then rebuilt afterward.
People here eat champon and sara-udon, local noodle dishes with Chinese roots, available in small restaurants throughout the neighborhoods. Residents often talk about the blend of Japanese, Chinese and European customs that shapes daily routines.
Trams run on five lines and reach most attractions and neighborhoods with a simple flat-rate day pass. The hills make walking tiring, but escalators and lifts help at some climbs.
The Dejima district was once an artificial island where Dutch merchants lived in isolation and traded during the 17th century. Today you can visit reconstructed warehouses and houses from that period.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
