This is a walking tour that takes you through the city center of Nagasaki, covering both iconic landmarks and hidden gems you wouldn't discover without a guide. The city center of Nagasaki is compact, making it perfect for exploring on foot. Of course, if you get tired, we can always take a taxi or tram!
This tour does not include a visit to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. If you would like to visit, please check out my other tour, "One-Day Nagasaki Tour: Peace Memorials and Hidden Gems."
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Somewhere in the city center
- If it is in the city center, I will come to pick you up (e.g., your hotel, JR Nagasaki Station, or the Nagasaki International Cruise Ship Terminal). On the day of your visit, I will be waiting at the meeting point holding a sign with your name on it. Two days before the tour, our phone numbers will be shared via GoWithGuide, and I hope we can also communicate on the day using apps like WhatsApp. * It costs approximately 1,500 to 2,000 yen per taxi to get to Suwa Shrine or the Tateyama District from a location in the city center.
(Optional) Tateyama District
Nagasaki is known as "the city of slopes"! Let's start exploring local areas by walking down the slopes! Enjoy the great views of Nagasaki’s sloping areas and catch a glimpse of local life.
Note:
There are a few stairs to climb (just a little) and (mostly) descend in this area, so if you’re not confident in your legs, feel free to skip this part.
Suwa Shrine
Suwa Shrine is the most famous shrine in Nagasaki. It is very beautiful and photogenic, offering a wonderful opportunity to capture memorable photos.
Admission: Free (*Donations are appreciated via the offering box.)
*As of December 1, 2024. Please refer to the official website for more details.
Shindaiku-machi shopping street
A super local shopping street where you can truly experience everyday life in Nagasaki. It's located near Suwa Shrine.
(Optional) The Observation Deck on the 19th Floor of Nagasaki City Hall
From this observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Nagasaki. The scenery before you vividly showcases Nagasaki as both a "port city" and a "city of slopes."
Admission: Free
*As of December 1, 2024. Please refer to the official website for more details.
(Optional) Teramachi Street
Teramachi Street, as the name suggests ("teramachi" means "temple town"), is a street lined with many temples, hosting 14 temples and 2 shrines. Among them, the Chinese style Kofukuji Temple, well-known for its vermilion gate, comes highly recommended.
(Optional) Kofukuji Temple
Kofukuji Temple is famous for its Chinese-style architecture and its striking vermilion gate. Admission fee is 300 yen per person.
Admission Fees:
- Adults: ¥300
- Junior High and High School Students: ¥200
- Elementary School Students: ¥100
*As of December 1, 2024. Please refer to the official website for more details.
Naka-dori shopping street / Hamanomachi shopping street
Nakadori Shopping Street is the oldest shopping street in Nagasaki, with a history of 400 years. It is lined with unique and local shops such as Japanese sweets stores, tea shops, fruit vendors, and more. Enjoy strolling and shopping around!
Lunch at Local restaurant
Let's enjoy lunch at a local restaurant!
Lunch is approximately ¥1,000 to ¥2,000.
(Optional) Mt. Inasa Observatory
Mt. Inasa Observatory provides stunning panoramic views of Nagasaki City and its harbor. Visiting during the day lets you enjoy clear views of the cityscape, the surrounding hills, and the waterfront.
***
- From the city center to the Ropeway station
Taxi: around 1,000–1,500 yen per vehicle
- Ropeway fare (round trip):
Adults: 1,250 yen
Junior & Senior High School Students: 940 yen
Elementary School & Young Children: 620 yen
- From the Ropeway station back to the city center
Taxi: around 1,000–1,500 yen per vehicle
(Optional) Local coffee shop
I'll take you to my favorite coffee shop. (Don't worry if you can't drink coffee; there are other drinks on the menu as well.) Let's enjoy some relaxed time.
Nagasaki China Town
Nagasaki China Town, one of Japan's three major Chinatowns, is a lively area filled with Chinese restaurants, shops, and temples. Famous for dishes like champon, it showcases the city's multicultural heritage.
From around chinatown, it costs approximately 1,000 yen per car to take a taxi back to the cruise ship terminal.
(Optional)Nagasaki Seaside Park
Nagasaki Seaside Park is a spacious urban park along Nagasaki Harbor. It features lush green lawns and walking paths, making it perfect for picnics and strolls. Visitors can relax while enjoying harbor views.
The former Nagasaki Foreign Settlement
The former Nagasaki Foreign Settlement is a historic area showcasing 19th-century Western influence. Key sites include Oura Church, Japan's oldest surviving Christian church, and Glover Garden, a picturesque collection of Western-style homes and gardens that reflect the lives of foreign residents of the era.
Glover Garden Admission Fees:
- Adults: ¥620
- High School Students: ¥310
- Elementary and Junior High School Students: ¥180
*As of December 1, 2024. Please refer to the official website for more details.
Admission Fees:
- Adults: ¥1,000
- Junior High and High School Students: ¥400
- Elementary School Students: ¥300
*As of December 1, 2024. Please refer to the official website for more details.
Ending Point
Somewhere in the city center (I will take you to your desired destination.)
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
- Guide Fee
- Pick up Fee
- Taxi fare (Guide & Customers)
- Public transportation fees (Guide & Customers)
- Admission fees to facilities (Guide & Customers)
- Lunch (Guide & Customers)
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so please wear comfortable shoes. If you have any difficulty with walking or stairs, please let me know—I’ll be happy to adjust the route and transportation accordingly!
*Approximate public transportation costs:
- Tram: 150 yen per ride
- Bus: 150–200 yen per ride
- Taxi:
-> Short distances: around 1,000–1,500 yen per vehicle (e.g., getting around central Nagasaki)
-> Long distances: around 2,000–2,500 yen per vehicle (e.g., from the cruise ship terminal to the Atomic Bomb Museum)
*In Japan, taxis typically accommodate a maximum of four passengers. Therefore, for tours with four guests, the group size becomes five including the guide, requiring the use of two taxis.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Hi! I'm Sho! I live in the center of Nagasaki city and work as a YouTuber, podcaster, and tour guide specializing in sharing the charms of Nagasaki.
Actually, I was born and raised in Yokohama, near Tokyo, and worked for about 5 years in Tokyo. However, I fell in love with the culture and history of Nagasaki and moved here in 2020.
Nagasaki has a rich history of international exchange and friendship, established about 450 years ago as an international trading port in Japan. Since then, many people from all over the world with diverse cultures and values have visited this city. I love these stories and histories of Nagasaki.
Nagasaki is often associated with the sad history of the atomic bomb, which is, of course, an important part of this city's history, but Nagasaki has much more than that. I'm looking forward to introducing you to the many charms of Nagasaki!
Kate H.
“Wonderful Introduction to Nagasaki”
Our first full day in Nagasaki began with a wonderful half-day tour with Sho. We loved walking down from the hills of his neighborhood, through Suwa Shrine, and along the charming shopping streets. Sho’s tour was perfectly paced, and he was very patient with our group of three, answering all our many questions with care. We highly recommend spending part of your time in Nagasaki with Sho!
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Shonosuke S.
Dear Kate, Joshua, and Jacob, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for spending time in Nagasaki — a city I truly love! I really appreciate that you stayed for about a week, and I was so happy to spend your first day with you, showing you around some of my favorite local spots. Please come visit Nagasaki and Japan again someday! :)
Teresa H.
“Nagasaki Tour”
Sho was well prepared, easy to work with, and met all our needs. He was a pleasure to work with, we would most certainly recommend him to any one visiting Nagasaki. His love of Nagasaki is reflected in his attention to detail in his work.
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Shonosuke S.
Hi Teresa & Shannon! Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for visiting Nagasaki — a city I truly love! I was really happy to show you around the city, including its Catholic heritage sites and some of my favorite spots. Wishing you all the best for your Catholic pilgrimage next year — I’m sure it will be an amazing journey!
Kathy T.
“A pleasure to work with!”
Sho helped me arrange Nagasaki private tour for my clients. He was very helpful in planning their itinerary and followed up with me after the tour was complete. My clients had a wonderful time on his tour! Kathy Takushi Owner Captivating Journeys
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Shonosuke S.
Hi Kathy! Thank you so much for your kind and wonderful review! It was such a pleasure working with you, and I really enjoyed spending time with your clients. I hope you’ll visit Nagasaki someday too ;) I look forward to working with you again!
$357/ per group
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