Getting ashore
Ships dock at Matsugae Pier, next to the city centre. Glover Garden, the hillside garden with its old Western houses, is about a 10-minute walk from the pier. Tram line 5 stops nearby. Tourist information and currency exchange are on the shore on the days ships call.
Watch-outs
Nagasaki is built on steep hills, so the walk up to the gardens and the Peace Park is strenuous. Use the trams, taxis and the hill lifts where you can. Taxis are metered, plentiful and reasonably priced. Allow time for the Peace Park, which deserves a calm visit.
Glover Garden and Oura
Glover Garden is the best-known sight, with its Western houses and harbour views. The nearby Oura Church is one of Japan’s oldest Western churches. The old Dejima trading post and its restored buildings are a short trip from the pier.
Peace Park and museum
The Nagasaki Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum tell the story of 9 August 1945. The park is large and mostly uphill from the tram stops, so plan a taxi or a tour if you have limited time.
Harbour and night views
The harbour has the Nagasaki Ferry Terminal and the Dejima waterfront. In the evening, the city lights on the slopes are famous, and a night view from Mount Inasa is a popular trip by cable car.
Food & shopping
Nagasaki is known for champon (noodles in a rich broth) and castella cake, which came from Portugal centuries ago. Shops and restaurants near the tram stops are the easiest to reach.
Money & connectivity
The currency is the Japanese yen. Cards are accepted in many places, but cash is still useful. Convenience-store ATMs accept most foreign cards.
Accessibility & mobility
The pier and the tram stop are flat. Glover Garden and the Peace Park involve steep slopes and steps. Taxis can take you to the top of most sights, so ask your driver to wait if you want a short visit. Trams have low floors on newer vehicles.