Nagasaki, Japan
For some travelers, Nagasaki is a symbol of the horrors of war, but this beautiful city on Kyushu offers timeless charm as well. Often described as the San Francisco of Japan, the city occupies verdant hills surrounded by a deep-water bay. The city is also celebrated as the setting for Puccini’s opera “Madame Butterfly” Nagasaki’s Peace Memorial Park and it’s Atomic Bomb Museum are near ground zero center of the atomic blast that leveled the city on August 9, 1945. Known as the “Ten Million Dollar Night View,” the view of Nagasaki from Mt. Inasa is treasured by locals and visitors alike. The summit of Mt. Inasa is 1,092 feet above sea level and can be accessed by automobile or cable car. Shimabara is a well-preserved, 16th century town featuring a samurai village and a superb, reconstructed feudal castle. Named after Scottish merchant Thomas Glover, Glover Gardens are home to Glover House, Japan's oldest example of Western architecture.
Shore Excursions
Gunkajima (Hasima Island)
The sight of the ruins rising from the sea are breathtaking and has inspired architects, photographers, and filmmakers. On the abandoned island is a colossal ghost town with an eerie labyrinth of high rise buildings made of reinforced concrete, and surrounded by high walls that make it look like a fortress rising out of the sea. The tour boat will circle the island to view the ruins from different vantage points, and then dock on the island to take a one hour guided tour through the unnatural streets of Gunkajima. Tour boats depart from the port every three hours. (Tour Boat/2.5 Hours/Adult: $75/Child(12&Under): $55)
Shimabara Peninsula and the town of Mizunashihonjin tour
A scenic drive to Japan’s Shimabara Peninsula to visit the well-preserved, 16th-century town and features a tour of its restored samurai castle. Stopping by Mizunashihonjin where Mt. Fugen’s eruption in 1991 completely covered the town in ash for a traditional Japanese boxed lunch served by a local restaurant. Tour vans depart from the port every two hours. (Tour Van/4 Hours/Adult: $50/Child(12&Under): $35)
Nagasaki History & Memorial Tour
An exceptional museum housing 48,000 displays featuring the history of overseas exchanges. Two must-see exhibits are the important cultural properties -- crime notebooks from Nagasaki's Magistrate Office and "trample tablets" used in the persecution of Christians. On August 9, 1945, Nagasaki became the second city to suffer a nuclear attack. Peace Memorial Park is located near Ground Zero, the center of the blast, and is home to a beautiful memorial fountain and the 30-foot-high "Statue of Peace." Tour vans depart from the port every two hours. (Tour Van/4 Hours/Adult: $30/Child(12&Under): $25)
Nagasaki, Japan
