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One sight you can’t miss in Nagasaki is the night view from Mount Inasa (Inasayama). Counted among Japan’s Three Great Night Views and the New World’s Three Great Night Views, Inasayama’s panorama truly deserves the title “million-dollar nightscape.” From the summit at 333 m, the city of Nagasaki sparkles like a spilled jewelry box, enchanting everyone who visits.
This article thoroughly explains the allure of Inasayama’s night view, how to enjoy it, and the best access options. From the changing lights seen from the ropeway and the breathtaking vistas from the observatory to the ethereal blue-lit walkway, there are countless ways to experience the magic. Visit as a couple for a romantic memory, or as a family to strengthen your bonds.
Now, let’s go and fully experience Japan’s famous million-dollar nightscape.
Inasayama’s night view is listed among Japan’s Three Great Night Views and the New World’s Three Great Night Views. Inasayama Park, located at the summit at 333 m, is known as a prime vantage point with sweeping views over Nagasaki City. When night falls, the cityscape turns into a myriad of sparkling lights, revealing a beauty like a turned-over treasure box.
The vista from Inasayama Park truly lives up to its nickname, the “million-dollar nightscape.” It’s easy to reach from central Nagasaki, and the experience leaves unforgettable memories.
The “million-dollar” moniker became popular after actor Robert Mitchum, then head of the judging committee when Nagasaki won the World Cityscape Award in 1985, praised it as having “a value of ten million dollars.”
Arriving at the summit, you’ll see the darkness settle while countless lights begin to glow. The city of Nagasaki spreads out like scattered gemstones, with the quiet sea visible in the distance.
Historical spots visible from the summit—such as Nagasaki Port, Dejima, and Shinchi Chinatown—stand out even as night falls. The curving shape of Nagasaki Port and the encircling lights create a scene unlike any other city. With the port spread calm like a black mirror and lights reflecting off the water, the view is mesmerizing.
Share this breathtaking nightscape with someone special and it’s sure to become a romantic memory. It’s also a popular spot for proposals. Families will enjoy taking commemorative photos with the night view as a backdrop.
The night view of Nagasaki from Inasayama Park is breathtaking—but did you know there’s a hidden treat within it? Every night from 8:00 pm to 9:50 pm, heart shapes and constellations inspired by Nagasaki’s history appear within the hillside lights in a magical illumination.
The effect is created by installing 35 LEDs that shine in eight colors on light poles along the slope. The heart motif lights for 5 minutes every 30 minutes, and the constellations for 5 minutes every 15 minutes, sparkling within the night view. Like a treasure hunt, spotting the illuminated hearts and constellations adds another layer of fun to the experience.
Constellations include the “Dove” symbolizing peace and the “Dragon” reminiscent of the performances at Nagasaki Kunchi, each tied to the city’s history and culture. As they emerge within the night scene, it feels like Nagasaki’s story is being painted across the sky.
Visit as a couple and you might find the romantic heart and pledge everlasting love. With family or friends, enjoy hunting for the constellations while soaking in Nagasaki’s history and culture.
Inasayama Park offers more than just a view. The walkway from the ropeway to the observatory is illuminated in blue.
While the nightscape is known as a “million-dollar night view,” an element that heightens the experience is this blue-lit walkway connecting the ropeway and the observatory. It feels like stepping into another world and makes the visit truly special.
The glowing blue path shows a completely different face from daytime Inasayama. In the quiet of night, the blue light at your feet creates the sensation of walking among the stars. Following this path toward the observatory builds anticipation and makes the view from the top even more striking.
For couples and families, the illuminated walkway sets the stage for a memorable time on Inasayama. The romantic atmosphere created by the blue light is sure to lift your spirits.
If you’re visiting Inasayama Park for the night view, arriving about 30 minutes before sunset to enjoy the magic hour is highly recommended. Watch the sky shift from orange to purple, while the city lights of Nagasaki gradually brighten toward sunset.
Enjoy the magic hour before sunset, then the full night view after dark.
With restaurants and cafés in Inasayama Park, you can take a break and head back to the observatory around 20:00 for an even brighter cityscape—and try to spot the heart illumination.
With this plan, you’ll experience everything about Inasayama’s night view, one of Japan’s Three Great Night Views and the New World’s Three Great Night Views.
There are two ways to access the observatory:
To reach the Inasayama Park observatory by ropeway, board at Nagasaki Ropeway Fuchi Shrine Station.
There’s a torii gate at the entrance to Fuchi Shrine Station, making it easy to spot.
Walk through the torii and you’ll immediately reach Fuchi Shrine Station, the ropeway boarding point.
Buy your ticket at the counter and board the ropeway.
The best way to reach Fuchi Shrine Station is by bus or taxi.
The Nagasaki Ropeway free shuttle connects JR Nagasaki Station and five hotels with Fuchi Shrine Station. It also runs from the ropeway station for free round trips.
The free shuttle requires advance reservations. Book in advance; reservations open at noon on the day and remain available until 30 minutes before each departure (based on the departure time from Hotel Belleview Nagasaki Dejima).
Reserve the Nagasaki Ropeway Free Shuttle
You can check the timetable here:
Free Shuttle Bus — Inasayama Park Official Site
For reference, departures from JR Nagasaki Station are:
One drawback is that it doesn’t run early. If you want to catch magic hour just before sunset, it won’t make it in time.
You can also take Nagasaki Bus routes either to the Ropeway Fuchi Shrine Station or directly to Inasayama Park. It’s paid but inexpensive, and since buses run around late afternoon, you can make it for magic hour.
To reach the Ropeway Fuchi Shrine Station, take routes bound for Shimo-Ohashi, Oe-bara, or Aikawa (Routes 3/4) and get off at “Ropeway-mae.” (Approx. 6 min, ¥160)
To go directly to Inasayama Park, take the Inasayama-bound bus (Route 5) and get off at the terminus “Inasayama Park.” (Approx. 15 min, ¥190)
Timetables can be checked via Nagasaki Bus “Easy Route Search.”
It’s about a 10-minute drive from Nagasaki Station, so if bus times don’t work, a taxi is a smart choice. The fare is around ¥1,300.
There are plenty of taxis around Nagasaki Station, so catching one is easy. When I used a taxi, these were the fares:
If you’re using a private car or rental, Inasayama Park has parking, so you can drive directly to the observatory.
While you can reach the observatory by rental car or taxi, if you’re traveling in Nagasaki we recommend taking the ropeway on purpose.
That’s because the cityscape you see while ascending is beautiful.
Near Fuchi Shrine Station there’s a baseball stadium with bright night lights. As the ropeway rises, those stadium lights shrink, and the city lights take over, becoming more and more spectacular.
The night view from the ropeway and the one from the observatory look completely different. Riding the ropeway lets you enjoy Nagasaki’s nightscape twice, so we recommend it.
The Nagasaki Ropeway free shuttle mentioned earlier departs from Fuchi Shrine Station at the times below.
If you arrived earlier and don’t want to wait until the times above, you can walk about 1–2 minutes from Fuchi Shrine Station to “Ropeway-mae” bus stop and take a regular city bus back to Nagasaki Station.
You can check the timetable for Ropeway-mae (toward Nagasaki Station) here:
Nagasaki Bus Timetable: Ropeway - mae (toward Nagasaki Station) [PDF]
The night view from Inasayama is a highlight of any Nagasaki trip and one of Japan’s most celebrated vistas. Gaze upon the million-dollar nightscape with someone special, and it will become a memory for life.
Ride the ropeway toward the summit as the city lights unfold, take in the sweeping panorama from the observatory, then stroll the blue-lit walkway while soaking in the tranquil night air. Inasayama’s nightscape brings emotion and calm to all who visit.
Couples can enjoy a romantic evening—perhaps even finding the heart illumination to seal a vow of love. Families can take keepsake photos against the sparkling backdrop or hunt for constellations together, deepening their bonds.
Nagasaki’s history and culture, set against beautiful nature, come together in the night view from Inasayama. Be sure to experience this moving scene at least once—the unforgettable vista will stay with you.
