Nagasaki Prefecture, Administrative prefecture in Kyushu, Japan
Nagasaki spreads across the northwestern coast of Kyushu and includes more than 900 islands of varying sizes reaching into the East China Sea. The main landmass wraps around the wide Omura Bay, while remote archipelagos like Goto and Tsushima lie far offshore.
During Japan's isolation of more than 200 years, the region served as the only gateway for contact with Europe and China, concentrated on the small artificial island of Dejima. After the country opened in the 19th century, the harbor became a major shipbuilding center that continues today.
The region takes its name from its main port city, which shaped western trade for centuries. Today visitors see churches standing beside Buddhist temples in many towns, a visible sign of the religious diversity that survived here despite long prohibitions.
Travelers reach the different parts through a network of trains, highways, and ferry lines connecting mainland and islands. The geography often requires multiple modes of transport for remote destinations, so planning routes in advance is helpful.
Many of the outer islands lie closer to Korea and China than to mainland Japan, which explains their historical role as frontier outposts. The Goto Islands are home to wild horses that graze freely along the coasts.
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