One-Day Nagasaki Tour: Historic City Center and Hidden Local Gems
Joined 2024
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."
Itinerary
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). * 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.
Shianbashi / Doza area
The Shianbashi (Doza) area is Nagasaki's largest bar district. The bars may be closed during the day, but it’s the perfect time to take a stroll through this unique area! Let me guide you through this ultra-local spot with its distinct atmosphere—an experience that’s hard to find without a local guide.
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.
(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.
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.)
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Guide Fee
- Pick up Fee
- Taxi fare (Guide & Customers)
- Public transportation fees (Guide & Customers)
- Admission fees to facilities (Guide & Customers)
- Lunch (Guide & Customers)
Tour Important Information
*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.
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* Please let me know in advance if you have difficulty walking, use a wheelchair, or have similar needs.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Shonosuke S.
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!
Reviews
Irene G.
“A fantastic time in Nagazaki”
We had so much fun with Sho and even talked about the tour till now. So much memories mase and he made it so personal. We saw some parts of Nagasaki we would not see with a different guide or if we would have done it ourselves. The restaurant he took us for lunch was absolutely superb. Had some sake tasting too! Thank you for such a wonderful time.
Shonosuke S.
Hi Irene! Thank you for your lovely review! I also had a great time thanks to you and your family! I'm so glad you enjoyed one of my favorite local restaurants and got to try some Nagasaki sake. I hope the rest of your stay in Japan was wonderful—and that you had fun shopping and playing crane games too! :D. Please come visit Japan and Nagasaki again sometime!
Meg M.
“A day well spent in Nagasaki.”
Two couples, the four of us, spent a wonderful day with Shonosuke two days ago in Nagasaki. He showed us highlights of the city and some hidden gems that we otherwise would not have known about. Time with him is well spent and worthwhile. We highly recommend his as a guide.
Shonosuke S.
Hi Meg! Thank you so much for visiting Nagasaki, the city I love, and for writing such a lovely review. I’m really glad I had the chance to show you not only the famous sights, but also some hidden gems and a bit of my daily life. I hope the tour became one of your special memories from your trip to Japan. Enjoy the rest of your journey! :D
Rosemarie E.
“Amazing private tour around Nagasaki”
We want to thank Shonosuke for an amazing day trip around Nagasaki. He shared all the important sightseeing spots, local spots and allowed us to see parts of his daily life. It was a pleasure meeting him. He hast a great love and passion for his job and the city of Nagasaki. We definitly recommend you to book a private tour with him. Thank you very much. Greetings from Germany.
Shonosuke S.
Hi Rosi! Thank you so much for visiting Nagasaki—the city I truly love—and for the amazing review! I really enjoyed the tour and chatting with all of you. Thanks to you, I even managed to master three German phrases: “Danke,” “Guten Morgen,” and my favorite, “Moin”! I’m so glad I got to share a glimpse of my daily life in Nagasaki with you, and that you enjoyed it. Wishing you many more wonderful memories on the rest of your journey! Danke!
$385/ per group
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