Nagasaki on a Budget: Islands, History & Culture

Experience the wonders of Nagasaki without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Nagasaki, Japan offers an authentic and culturally rich experience for travelers on a limited budget. Visitors can explore the historic Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum for free, while sampling local delicacies from street vendors and affordable restaurants. Staying at budget-friendly hostels or capsule hotels in Nagasaki can further reduce costs and allow for a longer stay in this captivating city.

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Travel plan

Getting latest place information
Day 1

Exploring the City

  • Check into Nagasaki Hostel, a charming budget-friendly hostel close to Nagasaki Station.
  • Visit Peace Park, dedicated to the victims of the atomic bombing.
  • Take a stroll in Glover Garden, a picturesque park with Western-style mansions.
  • Try out champon, a Nagasaki specialty noodle dish, at Shikairo or Tsuruchan.
  • End the day watching the beautiful sunset from Mt. Inasa Observation Deck.
Day 2

History and Culture

  • Take a ferry to Hashima Island, also known as Ghost Island, to explore its abandoned mining town.
  • Learn about China's influence in Nagasaki at the Chinatown area and Kofukuji temple.
  • Visit Dejima, an island used as a Dutch trading post in the 17th-19th centuries.
  • Try some local delicacies like castella cake and kakuni manju at Fukusaya or Bunmeido.
  • Enjoy a relaxing soak at Tenshukaku Onsen, a traditional hot spring bathhouse.
Day 3

Island Hopping

  • Explore the stunning beauty of Gunkanjima Island, also known as Battleship Island, on a tour.
  • Take a ferry to Iojima Island, a quaint fishing village known for its natural hot springs.
  • Visit the Huis Ten Bosch theme park, a recreation of a Dutch town complete with windmills and a canal.
  • Savor some fresh seafood at Kaisen Misakiko or Sasebo-yaki at Shima-chan.
  • Finish the day walking around Nagasaki Port and enjoying the ocean breeze.
Day 4

Nature and Views

  • Hike up Mount Inasa for a stunning view of Nagasaki at night.
  • Get up close with animals at Nagasaki Bio Park, home to pandas, tigers, and exotic birds.
  • Visit the Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium, where penguins can be seen swimming in an outdoor pool.
  • Enjoy a cup of Nagasaki's famous coffee and European-style pastries at De Perle Cafe.
  • End this unforgettable trip with a day trip to Suzuka Island, a secluded paradise with white sand beaches and clear blue waters.

Length of stay

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Type of trip

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How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Nagasaki by plane is to fly to Nagasaki Airport (NGS) from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) or Osaka International Airport (ITM). There are also direct flights from Seoul and Shanghai. From Nagasaki Airport, you can take a bus or taxi to reach the city center.

Car

The best way to get to Nagasaki by car is to take the Kyushu Expressway from Fukuoka to Nagasaki. The journey takes around 2 hours, and there are several tolls along the way.

Train

The best way to get to Nagasaki by train is to take the shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo or Osaka to Hakata Station in Fukuoka, and then transfer to the Kamome limited express train to Nagasaki Station. The journey takes around 4 hours in total.

Boat

The best way to get to Nagasaki by boat is to take a ferry from Busan, South Korea to Hakata Port in Fukuoka, and then take the train or bus to Nagasaki. There are several ferry companies that operate this route, and the journey takes around 3 hours.

Bus

The best way to get to Nagasaki by bus is to take an overnight bus from Tokyo or Osaka to Nagasaki. There are several bus companies that operate this route, and the journey takes around 12 hours.

Destination

Nagasaki

You know what they say: if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. And that's exactly what Nagasaki did after being bombed during World War II, rebounding as a vibrant and welcoming city.

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Number of days

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Type of trip

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